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A Golden Retriever discovering a worm for the first time might not sound like a major life event, but for one curious pup named Marley, it turned into a full-blown, unhinged investigation. The hilarious Golden Retriever video shows the dog encountering a tiny worm during a rainy walk, and his reaction is equal parts curiosity, confusion, and dramatic retreat.

Golden Retrievers are known for their goofy personalities and love of exploring the outdoors, which means they often come face-to-face with all kinds of unexpected things on walks. In Marley’s case, that unexpected discovery just happened to be a very wiggly worm.

The precious video was uploaded to the TikTok account @oopsitsmarley1, and it shows Marley spotting the worm on the sidewalk during a rainy-day walk.

Related: Golden Retriever’s Post-Grooming Face Is Pure Betrayal

Marley jumps back like he has just discovered a tiny alien life-form. Then he creeps forward again, tail wagging, before hopping sideways as if he’s trying to decide whether the worm is friend, enemy, or some sort of forbidden noodle. He pounces near it, backs away again, snorts at it, and circles around while his dog mom laughs in the background at the dramatic investigation unfolding.

The whole thing has the chaotic energy of someone encountering a bug in their house and not being emotionally prepared for it. People in the comments had a lot to say about the situation, especially because many dogs apparently react to worms in very different ways.

“My dog just rolls on the worms,” one person admitted.

Another added, “Stranger danger!”

Someone else joked that Marley might actually be the sensible one.

“Good thing Marley is afraid… my Lab just eats them before I can even get him away from them.”

Other dog parents shared equally questionable habits.

“Usually my dog rolls on worms… you are so lucky,” one viewer wrote.

Another commenter said, “I have a male Chihuahua who loves to rub all over the worms after it rains. Any bug, really. So weird.”

And one person summed up Marley’s dramatic reaction perfectly.

“Dude, I feel the same way.” Samesies.

Why Your Dog Loves To Roll Around on Worms and Other Stinky Things

As strange as it seems, many dogs love to roll in worms, dead bugs, or other things with unpleasant smells they find outside.

Experts believe this behavior comes from their wild ancestors. Wolves and other wild canines sometimes roll in strong scents to mask their own smell while hunting, helping them blend in with their surroundings.

Another theory is that pups simply enjoy bringing interesting scents back to their homes. In other words, when your dog rolls in something gross, they might be proudly showing off a new smell they discovered.

Of course, that doesn’t make it any less disgusting when it happens right before your dog jumps into the car.

Luckily for Marley, he seems far more interested in investigating worms than wearing them as cologne, which is probably a huge relief for his dog mom.

Can Dogs Eat Worms?

Most of the time, eating a worm won’t seriously harm a dog, but it’s still something pet parents should discourage. Earthworms themselves are not toxic, but they can carry parasites or bacteria that could upset a pup’s stomach. In some cases, worms may also have come into contact with lawn chemicals or pesticides, which could make them unsafe to eat.

If your dog occasionally tries to snack on a worm during a walk, it usually isn’t an emergency, but it’s best to redirect them and make sure they stay up to date on parasite prevention. If your pup eats worms frequently or shows signs like vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy afterward, it’s always a good idea to check in with your veterinarian.

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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Mar 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.