Guilty Dog ‘Silent Until Lawyer Is Present’ Has Internet in Stitches

A dog’s guilty look after digging a hole in the garden has left internet viewers in stitches.

Seb Aubrey (@seb_aubrey), 33, came home one day to discover a mysterious hole in his backyard, leading him to launch an investigation with his prime suspect: Jax, his chocolate Labrador retriever.

Jax’s reaction, caught on camera, has racked up more than 2.4 million views and over 303,000 likes on TikTok. “In the video, I had just arrived home, and he couldn’t look me in the eye. He would sit and make that face, almost grinning,” Aubrey told Newsweek.

The clip starts with Jax sitting in the garden. His big brown eyes squint, and his nose twitches as he sniffs the air, all while avoiding his owner’s gaze. Aubrey, who was clearly amused, asked the all-important question: “Did you dig that?”

Jax’s response—or lack thereof—was priceless. He sat perfectly still, his eyes narrowing. However, ultimately, he remained silent, staring off into the distance as if deep in thought.

Aubrey said that the real culprit could have been Piper, his mischievous boxer. But whether it was Jax or the other canine who committed the crime, both dogs managed to get away with it as their owner couldn’t resist taking them for a run straight after.

VCA Animal Hospitals experts say that dogs don’t experience guilt in the way we do. What we interpret as a “guilty” look—avoiding eye contact, slinking away—is actually a reaction to our body language and tone of voice.

So, while Jax might have seemed like he was full of regret, he was more likely just responding to Aubrey’s slightly stern questioning.

For those who have a dog with a penchant for digging, like Jax, or his sister Piper, there are ways to curb this behavior.

The Humane Society says you should provide a designated digging area for your dog, increase their exercise, and keep them mentally stimulated to prevent boredom. Supervising your dog while they are in the garden and redirecting their digging to appropriate areas can also help.

The video has sparked a wave of hilarious comments. “Staying silent until a lawyer is present,” one viewer posted. “Guilty dogs are my favorite,” commented another.

One comment that captured the essence of Jax’s strategy read: “If I close my eyes, you can’t see me.”

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