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By Lucy Notarantonio
Senior Reporter
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A TikTok video showing a Rottweiler lying on the stairs with what appears to be a smirk on her face quickly takes a darker turn once viewers realize what she’s holding.
In the clip, the dog is seen calmly resting with a kitchen knife wedged between her paws, prompting concern and disbelief from viewers. The video was shared by her owner, Abby (@_abigail_mm), and has since gone viral, earning X views and X likes since it was posted on March 1.
Commenters were quick to ask how the dog managed to get hold of the blade. Abby addressed the concern in the comments, explaining that the knife had been left on the kitchen counter.
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“She can jump up to it. She’s done this a bunch and loves eating the handles for some reason,” she wrote.
Another dog owner chimed in, stating their dog "grabbed a knife off the counter while I was cooking.”
Abby responded: “I don’t get why they do this! She loves knifes and I don’t understand.”
While some viewers focused on the dog’s expression, others found the moment unsettling.
“The slight smirk is killing me,” one user commented, while another added: “The smirk AND the wink… diabolical.”
Not everyone found it amusing. A fourth user raised safety concerns, writing: “am I the only one that thinks this is not OK he could hurt himself[?]”
Abby replied to reassure viewers, saying: “The knife is extremely dull to where I can’t always cut through the bottom of a sourdough loaf that isn’t burnt. I also check her over extremely well and heard her chewing on the handle pretty quickly.”
The clip has since sparked a broader conversation about counter‑surfing, a common behavior where dogs grab items left within reach.
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How to Stop Your Dog Counter Surfing
The American Kennel Club says counter‑surfing isn’t uncommon and offers guidance on how owners can prevent it, especially when safety is at stake:
- Keep counters clear so dogs never learn they’re a source of rewards
- Be vigilant, particularly with puppies and adolescent dogs
- Limit access to kitchens using baby gates or barriers
- Teach and reinforce “leave it” and “drop it” commands
- Redirect dogs with toys, chews, or food‑stuffed puzzles in another room
- Encourage alternative behaviors, such as going to a designated bed or crate
- Stay consistent, as even one mistake can reinforce the habit
For many viewers, the video was both funny and alarming, serving as a reminder that even everyday household items can become dangerous in a curious dog’s paws.
Newsweek reached out to @_abigail_mm for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
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