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Oh, Donny. He tried to get away with a tasty treat, but his body language and obedient nature gave him away.

In this hilarious Instagram video, Donny, a “very big and white” Golden Retriever, has absconded with an off-limits treat and knows it. He responds sheepishly and oh-so-guiltily when his human calls his name, slinking slowly around the corner toward her. He can’t even make eye contact with his mom, but after she asks him several times to show her what’s in his mouth, Donny reveals it to be a Kit Kat bar (thankfully) still in its wrapper.

Donny’s mom responds with a simple “That’s a ‘no.'”

I can totally relate to Donny. I mean, who can blame him? Kit Kats are delicious, albeit dangerous for dogs like Donny.

Viewers tend to agree with one confessing, “I can’t fault Donny. I’d do the same.”

Others were convinced that Donny was a Newfoundland or Great Pyrenees because of his unusual size and coat, but no, he’s a Golden through and through.

A few fans wondered if Donny was connected to a recent crime.

“There was a whole truck full of Kit Kats stolen in Europe a few weeks ago. Where was Donny then?” joked one person.

“It’s always the innocent-looking ones,” chimed in another.

So, do dogs steal food just because it smells tasty? Not always, but yes. It can be that simple.

Related: Black Cat Stealing Mom’s Pizza With Zero Regrets Is the Confidence We’re Here For

Up For Grabs

Dogs stealing food feels personal—but it’s really not. They’re not being sneaky or “bad,” they’re just doing exactly what dogs are wired to do: smell something delicious and go for it—no guilt, no moral debate—just instinct.

Instead of trying to out-discipline it, however, the smarter move is to manage the situation.

First, remove temptation whenever possible. If food is within reach, it’s fair game. Counters, coffee tables, cooling turkeys—if you don’t want it eaten, don’t leave it accessible. This alone solves a surprising amount of the problem.

Second, make sure your dog isn’t operating on an empty stomach. A well-fed dog is still interested in food (always), but a hungry dog is on a mission. Feeding them before parties or meals can take the edge off that urgency.

Training also helps—especially teaching a solid “leave it.” The goal isn’t punishment, it’s teaching self-control. When dogs learn that ignoring food actually earns them a reward, you start to shift the behavior in a way that sticks.

You can also limit access during high-risk moments. If you’re cooking, hosting, or have kids running around with snacks at dog-eye level, it’s completely fair to give your dog a separate setup. A crate, another room, or a safe space—with something like a stuffed Kong—keeps them occupied and out of trouble.

There are also deterrent tricks (like noise-based “gotcha” moments), but they tend to work only for certain dogs—and usually only a couple of times.

This isn’t about “fixing” a bad dog. It’s about setting them up to succeed in a world that constantly smells like… Kit Kats.

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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Apr 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.