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Golden Retriever Puppy's Hilarious Version of 'Stay' Has the Internet Smiling

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One of the first things many pet parents do after bringing home a puppy is start teaching basic commands like "stay." Of course, puppies sometimes come up with their own creative interpretations of those commands, and this tiny Golden Retriever named Murphy is proving that in the cutest way possible.

Murphy and Dad had been practicing the "stay" command, which the clever little pup technically follows the first time Dad says it in this video. But it also happened to be dinnertime, and Murphy was very motivated to get closer to his food bowl so he could chow down. So while he obediently kept his bottom planted on the floor, he also started scooting himself across the room so he could still "stay" while inching closer to dinner.

@murphy_momentss

Still scooting… #goldenretriever#puppytiktok#dogsoftiktok

original sound - Murphy Moments

Murphy's parents joked in the caption that he's "still scooting," and we're wondering if it's a habit he'll continue to keep up. As commenter @Ocean Blue jokingly pointed out, "If your butt doesn't leave the floor, then you are staying."

Related: Calmest Golden Retriever Puppy in the Litter Turns Out To Be Major Agent of Chaos

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Viewer Reactions to This Puppy's Take on Obedience Are Too Funny

Viewers left hundreds of comments, all in support of the Golden Retriever puppy's take on the stay command. @Golden Sneakers pointed out, "The floor is clearly slanted..."

@Liz got 10k likes when she said what Murphy was probably thinking: "You told me to STAY. I am staying... RIGHT BY YOU." @YouTube agreed and added, "He clearly did stay... by you, LOL!" @Nicole added, "I mean technically he's still sitting..."

Commenter @Bo Bella pointed out, "Hims trying so hard to be a good boy!" @WintersWhiteWolf disagreed, "You're still rewarding the behavior by giving him the food. What a cutie, tho!"

@Balcony Babies replied, "He's a baby, he's overexcited, and he tried. And, he did leave the food until his human said, 'Murphy can eat.' So I'm guessing it's a work in progress." We couldn't agree more!

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This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM.

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