We all know that dogs can be sneaky little things, manipulating their owners into doing a whole number of things – usually because they just can’t be bothered to do it themselves!
Whether it’s throwing the toy and fetching it themselves or offering treats to get them to bribe them out of the way of the TV, they’ll do their utmost to get whatever they can.
One dog has been doing the rounds on Twitter after playing a particularly nifty trick on his owner – with a pretty hefty price tag, too!
Alf the dog has sent Twitter into a frenzy as his owner celebrated a year since she was forced to pay a £200 vet bill – only to be told that he was faking his breathing problems in order to be carried around!
Today marks a year since I paid nearly £200 to be told my dog was faking struggling to breathe in order to be carried. pic.twitter.com/rGfBKz6FKF
— Neva (@vnevah) September 6, 2018
Thankfully, Alf has now quit the habit after his true motive was uncovered, and will happily walk alongside his owner, Neva.
Now, she says, he only plays up when there’s food with onion and garlic cooking, he isn’t given his treat – a hard boiled egg – immediately in the morning, or if any excessive noise is made after 8pm, which warrants passive aggressive side eye!
It seems that Alf isn’t the only culprit, however, as Twitter users have come in their hundreds to respond to Neva’s post, revealing how their cats and dogs have played similar tricks…
Oh christ I feel you. £120 in blood work to find out our mysteriously shrinking cat was on a hunger strike because he didn’t like the food!
— Danielle Bryers (@Dani_B) September 6, 2018
I had a Westie that feigned a leg injury at the top of Kinder Scout, carried him down in my rucksack got near the pub, then decided he was fine and helped me with my pub lunch
— Chris (@flemoil) September 6, 2018
My dog twisted his ankle and pretended to be sick to the point where we said our goodbyes, and the vet said that instead of dying he was attention seeking bc he knew we would fuss him if we thought he was ill….
— Libs (@liberty_smith_) September 6, 2018
In the days when dogs went out on their own, a friend lived at the top of a steep hill with the beach at the bottom. Her dog used to play by the sea then fake a fit so that people would drive it back up the hill. Never failed.
— Pam Harper (@PamHarper20) September 6, 2018
And, our personal favourite…
Apparently the panda at Edinburgh Zoo worked out that she got more food if she pretended to be pregnant so that’s what she did! Sounds like a similar idea, very cute and very sneaky
— Debbie White (@medievaldebbie) September 6, 2018
We love the lengths that animals will go to to get what they want – in fact, we’re taking notes!
As the kids head back to school and the summer comes to an end, Tailster has all of your pet care needs sorted! Whether you’re looking for regular, daily walks or someone to pop in occasionally to check on your pets, we’ve got you covered. Click here for more information on Tailster’s pet walking and sitting services.