Some dogs get caught doing something naughty and immediately crumble into guilty little puddles. And then there’s Little Max, a Shih-Poo with such an unnervingly human vibe that catching him misbehaving feels like walking in on a roommate stealing your leftovers. In the viral clip, Max is perched on the tray of the family high chair like a tiny gentleman awaiting his dinner service, staring at his mom with eyes that say, “Yes, I climbed up here. And what about it?”
When his mom walks into the room, she immediately starts narrating her disbelief, but Max? He doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t blink. Doesn’t even pretend to be sorry. He sits rigid and dignified, like a little Victorian child posing for a portrait. If he could talk, he’d probably say, “Mother, I simply will not be questioned at this time.”
The TikTok video shared by @max.hawt.dog opens with Max sitting so still and so straight-backed that you almost forget he’s a dog. He looks… human, like a coworker who accidentally got shrunk down and placed in a high chair during a stressful lunch break. His expression is a combination of determination, entitlement, and mild indigestion—a truly stunning emotional range.
His mom launches into a full monologue the second she sees him: “What are you doing? Have you lost your mind? Little Max, you could have really hurt yourself!” But Max continues to stare, completely unbothered, as if he’s waiting for her to take his order. When she points out that he’s now stuck there, his face practically says, “Yes. That is your problem, not mine, lady.”
People in the comments are totally team Max, and one person said, “Little Max IS the baby, and we must always accept that.”
The funniest part is when Mom realizes why he’s up there: he was trying to steal the baby’s food. Of course he was. Max radiates the energy of a tiny man who has absolutely done this before and will do it again. The kicker is when she says, “Oh gosh, I can feel that you’re bloated,” which heavily implies that Max has already eaten something he shouldn’t have. And still—still—he refuses to break eye contact.
He knows he’s not supposed to be in that chair. He knows he caused chaos. He knows she now has to clean everything. But Max lives by one rule: if the high chair is unattended, it becomes his throne.
Why Some Dogs Love Being up High
Many dogs actually feel safer, more in control, or just plain nosy when they’re elevated. Perching on furniture, stairs, or baby gear gives them a better view of their surroundings and taps into their natural instincts, especially for breeds who like to observe, guard, or keep tabs on their humans. For some pups, being up high simply makes them feel powerful, cozy, or closer to the action. And for little chaos gremlins like Max, climbing onto “forbidden” high-up spaces is just another way of saying, I run this household.
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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Dec 11, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.