It’s called the doggy paddle for a reason, but this golden retriever puppy is putting a whole new twist on it.
In @kaliflanagan_’s viral TikTok, this fluffy little chaos agent shows up to his first swimming lesson and immediately declares war on the water. The on-screen text reads, “when the swim instructor says ‘I’ve never seen a dog try to eat their own splashes before,'” and honestly? That’s the most accurate play-by-play we could ask for.
The second his paws hit the pool, he’s in full attack mode. Every kick creates a splash. Every splash becomes the enemy. He’s snapping at the water mid-paddle, chomping at the air, and whipping around like he just discovered the pool personally offended him. Instead of calmly learning how to float, he’s essentially trying to consume the evidence of his own movement. It’s not swimming. It’s splash management.
The instructor, meanwhile, is right there in the water, calm and steady, guiding him through the lesson as if this is standard behavior.
Meanwhile, this puppy is out here trying to bite the concept of buoyancy. The audio playing is set to Kris Jenner’s iconic “Go Kylie, go! You’re doing amazing, sweetie!” which makes it feel less like a lesson and more like a highly competitive aquatic audition.
“You’re Doing Amazing Sweetie”
demanescale / Shutterstock.com
(demanescale / Shutterstock.com)
And of course, the comments understood the assignment. @TheCurve wrote, “He takes after his mom! He’s gonna be an Olympic champion soon!!” fully backing this splash-chomping prodigy. @TheCrimpit added, “You’re doing amazing, sweetie,” because the audio demanded it. Then @A.Steve brought a touch of chaos with, “ehm.. mam.. I think he’s drowning 💀🐒,” while @Jess Kondas asked the very reasonable question, “Is that a life jacket…?” It’s the perfect mix of encouragement and mild concern.
Some puppies gently ease into the water. Others attempt to eat their own splatters like it’s part of the curriculum. If this is lesson one, I can only imagine what “advanced swimming” looks like. At this rate, he’s not just learning the doggy paddle. He’s inventing a whole new category.
Related: Golden Retriever Has the Most Annoyed Look on His Face While Dad Gives Him ‘Fake Pets’
This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Feb 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.