An ordinary evening stroll has turned into an unexpectedly viral moment after one dog’s repeated habit during walks left viewers touched.
In a March 1 TikTok video posted under @nashbennychocoduo, a chocolate-colored Labrador retriever named Benny can be seen trotting confidently along a scenic waterfront path at sunset, a few steps ahead of his owner. Benny repeatedly glances over his shoulder every few steps, each time offering a quick look and a relaxed, open-mouthed expression before moving forward again.
The owner described this habit as Benny’s way of making sure she was having fun, too, adding that his giant smile shows how content he is during their walks. However, she believes the check-ins might not be solely for her.
The woman told Newsweek via TikTok: “I suspect he’s doing a quick treat check every once in a while, but he might also just be making sure his walking partner is keeping up.”
The owner said she used treats to train her pet to go on leash walks. Many owners opt for this method because it helps encourage focus, reduce pulling and manage leash reactivity, according to an article from PetMD. Owners may benefit from using collars and harnesses suited to their canines, while tools such as a multi-pouch treat bag or a hands-free dog leash can make it easier to reward for positive behavior consistently.
Viewer Reactions
Whether Benny wanted his owner to have fun or was hoping for a treat, internet users fell in love with his touching routine, which the owner said happens on every walk. The clip reached more than 1.1 million views, over 329,000 likes and 288 comments at the time of writing.
“He’s taking you for a walk,” commented a viewer, while a second said: “You better be smiling back.”
A third person wrote: “The love of dogs is BEAUTIFUL. And I’ll never feel like I deserve it.”
Why Do Dogs Look to Owners?
Researchers have linked canine-human eye contact to bonding and communication. A 2015 study published in Science found that mutual gazing between dogs and their owners can increase levels of oxytocin—a hormone associated with trust and attachment—in both species, reinforcing their emotional connection.
While the research did not focus specifically on walking behavior, experts say glancing back at a caregiver can form part of normal affiliative or attention-seeking behavior. In some cases, the habit may also be learned: dogs that have been rewarded for making eye contact or checking in during walks may begin offering the behavior more frequently as a way to stay engaged with their handler.
For Benny, this could mean his backward glances are both a way of staying socially connected during the walk and a hopeful check to see whether a reward might be coming.
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