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Rheagar the Golden Retriever Takes Walking Matters Into His Own Paws
Rheagar, a golden retriever from Des Moines, Iowa, is living proof that some dogs have a very clear vision for their daily walks — and they won’t hesitate to take control if things don’t go their way.
Dog walker Argo, who regularly cares for 10 to 15 dogs a week, met Rheagar for the first time during what he assumed would be a routine outing. Before setting off, he reviewed the notes left by previous walkers. One detail quickly caught his attention: Rheagar had a reputation for being particular about his walking route. If the path didn’t align with his usual one, he would stop, sit down, and wait until the walker changed course.
At first, Argo was happy to follow Rheagar’s lead, letting the golden enjoy his preferred route with plenty of sniff breaks and a relaxed pace. But partway through, Argo realized that sticking to Rheagar’s exact plan would make them late returning home. Deciding to take a different turn, he quickly discovered just how committed the dog was to his routine.
Instead of resisting or pulling against the leash, Rheagar calmly grabbed it in his mouth and began “walking” himself. In a now-viral TikTok video posted to Argo’s account, @satellightears, the determined retriever trots ahead, holding the leash between his teeth as Argo follows behind. “Apparently, he’s really strict about his walks, and he picks where to go,” Argo says in the clip. “We’ve been walking like this for 10 minutes, and he will not let go of the leash. It’s his leash; he’s in charge.”
The video, shared on August 5, has been viewed over 1.1 million times, with thousands of comments praising Rheagar’s confident attitude. One viewer joked, “Nah, he walking you,” while another teased, “You better hope he can’t figure out how to rate you on the app.”
Many dog owners related to the story, sharing their own experiences with pets who insist on certain routes — including one who said their dog will only turn left out of the driveway because “there’s lava or dragons or possibly a dinosaur to the right.”
According to the American Kennel Club, allowing a dog some control during walks can make the experience more enriching and enjoyable for both sides of the leash. For Argo, the viral moment was unexpected, but he’s happy it brought so many people joy — all thanks to one golden retriever with a strong sense of direction.
Click the video below to watch the full story:
This content was created with AI assistance and edited by the iHeartDogs team.
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