In a heartwarming and hilarious moment, a Pit Bull has captured the internet’s attention for its adorable attempt at playing the victim—despite the fact that there’s a perfectly open door just a few feet away.
Earlier this week, @chelsandpups shared a video on TikTok showing her Pit Bull looking heartbroken as he gazed longingly out the window, appearing to beg for some companionship outside. The video’s caption humorously read, “lovessss playing the victim,” with the dog’s sad expression making it seem as though he was desperately trapped indoors.
However, as the camera pans, viewers are shown the truth: the door was wide open. It turns out the dog had a perfectly good opportunity to join his mom outside, but chose to stay inside and play up the dramatic “lonely” act.
Playing the Victim with Success
Though the Pit Bull’s face was full of longing, it was all part of his clever tactic to garner attention and sympathy. As his mom notes, “Felt bad for him but then remembered this was 1000% voluntary.” The video has left viewers chuckling at the dog’s ability to convincingly act as though he was the victim of a cruel fate, even though he was in no way forced to stay inside.
A Real Fear of Doors?
While it’s clear the dog was likely just trying to get some extra attention, it’s worth noting that some dogs can have real anxieties around thresholds. Fear of doors is actually a common issue for many dogs, often stemming from negative experiences tied to doorways or exits.
Veterinarian Dr. Stephanie Borns-Weil from Tufts’ site, Your Dog, points out that even a single traumatic event involving a door can lead to lasting unease. So, if your dog is showing reluctance to go through doors, it might not be out of laziness—it could be because they’ve had a less-than-pleasant experience in the past.
Whether this Pit Bull’s reluctance is simply part of his playful behavior or a sign of a deeper issue, it’s clear that his “victim” act has struck a chord with dog lovers online.