Viral pet trends never really slow down, and a recent TikTok challenge is giving dog owners a new way to laugh at their pups and maybe learn a little about their instincts. The idea is simple enough to try at home, which is exactly why it keeps popping up on feeds. In one clip that racked up hundreds of thousands of views, a creator known as @aguyandagolden decided to put all three of his dogs to the test. The results were both surprising and oddly relatable for anyone who lives with a confident, lovable goofball.
The “dog intelligence test” looks like a quick reflex check. The owner gently holds a dog and brings them toward a wall, watching to see whether the dog will naturally reach out a paw to brace themselves before their nose bumps the surface. It sounds straightforward, but the charm is in how differently each dog reacts. When it works, it looks clever. When it doesn’t, it’s pure comedy.
In the video, the owner announces he’s trying to figure out which of his dogs is the smartest, then kicks things off with the youngest, Roo. “Let’s start with the baby,” he says, and Roo approaches the wall with zero concern. Instead of lifting a paw, Roo softly taps his nose against the wall, as if the whole thing is beneath him. The owner laughs and tries again, but Roo repeats the same unbothered move, earning a quick verdict that he didn’t pass.
@aguyandagolden Seeing which dog is smartest!
♬ Funny – Gold-Tiger
Next up is Archie, and for a moment it seems like he might be the one to figure it out. The owner edges him closer, waiting for that paw to appear. But Archie also ends up bumping his head, and the hopeful pause turns into another amused reaction from the person filming. Two dogs down, and the “smartest in the house” title is still up for grabs.
That leaves Teddy, the older retriever, and he doesn’t waste time. As soon as he gets close to the wall, Teddy raises his paw and plants it confidently, like he’s solved the puzzle before it’s even explained. The owner, clearly delighted, asks for another try to make sure it wasn’t a fluke. Teddy nails it again, prompting an excited acknowledgment that there’s a brain at work here.
Even if Roo and Archie didn’t shine in this particular moment, golden retrievers are widely known for being bright, eager to learn, and especially responsive to training when it’s paired with affection and praise. Sometimes these tests say less about “intelligence” and more about personality, focus, or whether a dog feels like playing along. Either way, it’s the kind of harmless experiment that reminds people why dog videos still dominate the internet.
What do you think these viral pet challenges really reveal about our dogs, and have you tried one at home? Share your thoughts in the comments.
