Golden Retriever Puppy Gets Left Out of Crate by Accident and Pure Sweetness Ensues

Getting a puppy means a life full of firsts: the first time they respond to their name, the first time they sleep through the night, and the first time they can be trusted not to eat the couch while you're at work.

This Golden Retriever found himself with a bit of unexpected freedom after he was left out of his crate for the first time. Luckily his mom was able to catch the milestone on video and hilarity ensued.

River didn't quite know how to handle himself when his dog walker forgot to put him to bed in his crate, and he took the opportunity to explore his surroundings in search of something to do.

The couch certainly looks like a comfy first stop for River. Then he determines that the hallway needs a bit of exploring. "Wait, what's behind that chair?" thinks River (seriously what is he doing with the chair).

Commenters loved watching River check out his home before lying down to take a nap. @irathernot__ got into this dog's head with, "'So much to do, so many things to explore.'" Another, @user639108069610, posited what River was thinking, "He’s like seeee, I’m a good boy."

The overwhelming consensus was that River has proven he can spend more time out of the crate. "This is how it happened for my dog... never closed the door in the crate again," remarked @ted00420.

Related: Golden Retriever's Hilarious Crate Escape Caught on Ring Camera

Should you crate your dog when you leave the house?

This will vary quite a bit depending on age, breed, and temperament. Many pup pups love the crate and will feel safest inside it, but others want the freedom to get up and stretch as needed. In general, we recommend crate training for young dogs who will progressively spend more time on their own. Look for signs that your little guy is ready, like being able to hold it for longer stretches of time.

As posters discussed, many buds will show you when they have graduated from the crate, but you can always leave the crate open if they prefer to sleep in it.

This story was originally reported by PetHelpful on Sep 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.