A playful pup has the internet in stitches after being caught red-handed making a mess on his balcony.
The amusing clip, shared on TikTok by Ace’s owner, Tyler Sabino (@tsab1313) from Los Angeles, shows the 13-month-old pit bull rolling around like a whirlwind on the outdoor couch, sending cushions flying everywhere. The moment Ace notices his owner watching, he instantly switches gears and pretends to be asleep.
“POV: dog plays ‘sleep’ when he’s caught acting up,” Tyler captioned the viral video, which has racked up over 36,300 likes and nearly 690,200 views.
“What are you doing? Oh, you were sleeping,” Tyler humorously confronted his cheeky dog.
Ace’s reaction was an instant halt to his antics as he feigned slumber the moment he was spotted. His owner shared that whenever Ace is caught misbehaving, he always plays dead or pretends to nap. He also has a daily zoomie routine at around 7 or 8 PM, where he bounces off walls like a pinball!
According to animal behavior expert Dr. Eloise Bright, dogs often pretend to sleep when reprimanded to avoid conflict. This reaction stems from negative reinforcement, where dogs try to appear non-threatening to defuse tension. They’re super tuned into their owner’s emotions, and faking sleep can be a coping mechanism.
Experts recommend positive reinforcement and clear communication as the best ways to train dogs, steering clear of punishment-based methods that might induce fear or anxiety.
Despite Ace’s antics, Tyler’s calm approach didn’t seem to worry the pup. Commenters had a blast reacting to his faux slumber with comments like, “He was sleep the whole time,” and “Damn near started smiling after too.” Many found Ace’s behavior classic for pit bulls.
Some viewers expressed concern about Ace’s safety on the balcony. “Why is this such an easy balcony for a dog to jump over?” one user questioned.
If you’re a dog owner looking to make your balcony safer, the American Kennel Club recommends:
- Installing barriers like rail guards to prevent escapes.
- Creating shaded areas for heat protection.
- Regularly checking for hazards like loose railings.
Tyler mentioned he took the feedback seriously and adjusted his balcony setup, assuring everyone, “He’s very smart and terrified of heights. I always monitor him when he’s out there.”