Some dogs like the pool. Bauer, the Golden Retriever, is the pool.
The TikTok video opens with his human’s desperate caption: “Trying to get my Golden Retriever puppy out of the pool.” Dad is holding a towel, clearly on a mission to dry this soggy toddler off. There’s just one major flaw in the plan: Bauer has absolutely no intention of ending his shift as a full-time pool noodle.
Dad reminds him, “You’ve been out here for three hours,” in that tired, half-laughing, half-defeated tone all dog parents know. He manages to coax Bauer out for about two seconds, wrapping him in a towel like a wet burrito. The second Dad’s attention slips? Bauer launches himself straight back into the pool with zero hesitation. Splash. Round two.
And then there is Maverick, the older brother, who might be trying to help… or might be pure chaos in dog form. At first, it looks like Maverick is assisting, grabbing the towel as if to say, “Yeah, yeah, let’s get him out.” But quickly, it becomes clear he’s actually starting a full-blown tug-of-war.
By the end, Dad is soaked, the towel is destroyed, and Bauer is happily bobbing in the water like he’s on a paid vacation. Dad doesn’t even argue anymore. You can see the moment he realizes: the dog has won. The pool noodle is clocked in for overtime.
Pool Fun, but Make It Safe
Bauer’s pool obsession is adorable, but water time always needs some ground rules. Even for natural water dogs like Golden Retrievers, it’s important that they know how to get in and out safely and not overdo it. The American Kennel Club recommends teaching dogs to swim gradually, starting in shallow water, guiding them to the steps or exit point, and offering lots of praise so they build confidence instead of panic. They also suggest keeping early swim sessions short and positive, especially for puppies, as they explain in their guide on how to teach your dog to swim.
So go ahead and let your own “pool noodle” enjoy their summer shifts in the water—just make sure there is always a plan for safe entrances, exits, and breaks, no matter how many times they cannonball back in.
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This story was originally published by PawNation on Jan 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add PawNation as a Preferred Source by clicking here.