Pet Parents Share Their Dogs’ Most Mortifying Moments

If you’ve ever found yourself apologising to a stranger while your dog is proudly peeing in the worst possible spot, knocking over a priceless ornament, or enthusiastically greeting them with muddy paws, you’re in very good company.

Every dog parent – no matter how experienced – has at least one story that still makes them cringe and laugh in equal measure. I myself, (yes, a professional behaviourist) recently found myself paying double the cost of a book (that I didn’t even want) in an embarrassed attempt to apologise for my dog stealing a tuna sandwich from some kids at a jumble sale.

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The truth is, dogs are wonderfully imperfect – they aren’t robots, and thank goodness for that, because those moments of individuality and personality so often become the stories we end up sharing at parties for years.

It’s important to remember that these ‘embarrassing’ moments are usually just harmless blips. If your dog pooed on someone’s lawn or, well, on someone’s shoe, it doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong with your dog. Many toileting mishaps happen because a dog is excited, overwhelmed or unsure in the environment – they simply have a physical response to their emotions. And when something gets broken? Nine times out of ten it’s an accident: a wagging tail with too much enthusiasm, a slippery floor or a curious nose giving something a little too much encouragement.

If your dog does break something, the best thing you can do is take a big deep breath, make sure they’re safe (or move them to another room), and then quietly tidy up. A big reaction – shouting, panicking, or punishing them – can confuse or even frighten your dog, especially if they were already a bit stressed. Dogs who go to the toilet indoors because they’re unsure or overwhelmed can feel even more anxious next time if the result was their human getting angry at them. They don’t learn what you wanted; they learn that toileting near humans feels scary.

On the flip side, if we find something hilarious and shower them with attention, some clever dogs will absolutely file that away for future reference. If scooting their bottom across the rug or knocking over the laundry basket got them a burst of laughter, it can become a repeated behaviour. Remember, attention is a powerful form of reinforcement – sometimes more powerful than treats.

If the embarrassing moment was a one-off, it’s perfectly fine to let it go. Dogs are allowed to have off days just like we do. But if it starts to look like a pattern, that’s your cue to work out a plan to change up this behaviour. Avoid getting frustrated and instead explore how / when the behaviour appears. Are they overwhelmed in certain places? Are they seeking attention? Are they struggling with excitement or anxiety? Once you understand the ‘why’, it becomes much easier to set them up for success with management, positive reinforcement and calm support.

Before we jump into the hilariously awkward stories dog parents have shared, take heart: every dog does something mortifying eventually. And while it might make you blush in the moment, chances are you’ll end up laughing about it later – because life with dogs is never dull, always unpredictable and absolutely filled with moments worth retelling.

Pre-planned poos

Grumpy old man

Rivers of wee

Wet wingman

Screen door smash

Window licker

Blonde ambition

Butt of the joke

Highway hijack

Drive-thru doggy

Flasher