Puppy Left Home Alone Out of Crate, Pet Cam Reveals What Happens Next

Newsweek - Mar 23rd, 2025
Open on Newsweek

Owners of a 7-month-old golden retriever named Hazel decided to test how she would fare outside her crate while they were away. Using a pet camera for observation, they discovered Hazel indulging in her 'woodchuck mode,' chewing a TV stand. Despite their hopes for her good behavior, the footage captured an amusing act of mischief. Fortunately, the pet camera allowed them to intervene remotely, prompting Hazel to stop and nap on the couch instead. The owners have since attempted letting Hazel roam free a few more times, achieving varied results, highlighting the challenges and humor in training a young puppy.

The video documenting Hazel's antics quickly gained attention on Instagram, amassing over 717,000 views and 13,900 likes within two days. The incident sparked a range of reactions from users, who expressed empathy and amusement at the situation. This story underscores the inherent unpredictability of pet behavior and the role of technology in modern pet ownership. It also reflects widespread interest in relatable pet stories, as seen in the engagement it generated on social media.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The story about Hazel the golden retriever puppy is engaging and relatable, particularly for pet owners and social media users. It scores high in readability and timeliness, effectively capturing the current trend of sharing pet experiences online. The narrative is clear and easy to follow, with a humorous tone that enhances reader engagement. However, the story's reliance on a single source, primarily the owner's account, limits its balance and source quality. Including expert opinions or broader perspectives on pet training could improve these dimensions. While the story is unlikely to have a significant impact or address major public interest topics, it succeeds in entertaining and engaging its target audience. Overall, the article is a well-crafted piece of light-hearted content that resonates with a niche audience of pet enthusiasts.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story presents factual claims that are largely verifiable. It accurately describes the age of the puppy, Hazel, as 7 months, and the fact that the owners have been crate-training her. The use of a pet camera to monitor Hazel and the description of her behavior are plausible and consistent with common pet training scenarios. However, the story could benefit from more detailed verification on the number of views and likes the video received on Instagram, as these figures are significant claims that support the story's reach and impact. Additionally, while the narrative about Hazel's behavior is believable, it relies heavily on the owner's account without external verification, which slightly reduces its precision.

7
Balance

The story primarily presents the perspective of Hazel's owners, focusing on their experiences and reactions. While this personal viewpoint is engaging, it limits the story's balance by not including expert opinions or broader perspectives on pet training. Including insights from animal behaviorists or trainers could provide a more balanced view, especially regarding the effectiveness of crate training and the use of pet cameras. The story does include reactions from Instagram users, which adds some diversity of opinion, but these are anecdotal and do not significantly broaden the narrative.

8
Clarity

The story is written in a clear and engaging manner, with a logical flow that makes it easy to follow. The language is straightforward and accessible, suitable for a general audience interested in pet stories. The structure of the article, which follows a chronological narrative of events, helps maintain reader interest. However, the inclusion of more context about crate training practices and the use of pet cameras could improve clarity for readers unfamiliar with these topics.

6
Source quality

The primary source of the story is the Instagram user and owner of Hazel, which provides firsthand information but lacks the authority of an expert source. The reliance on a single source means the story could benefit from additional verification or commentary from professionals in animal behavior or pet training. The inclusion of social media reactions adds some variety to the sources, but they do not enhance the story's credibility significantly due to their informal nature.

7
Transparency

The story clearly identifies the Instagram user as the source of the information, providing transparency about where the details are coming from. However, it does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases that might influence the owner's account. The methodology of using a pet camera is explained, but there is no discussion of any limitations or potential inaccuracies in the observations reported. Greater transparency about the selection of social media comments and their representativeness could also enhance the story.

Sources

  1. https://www.dogster.com/dog-breeds/can-golden-retrievers-be-left-alone-at-home
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc4LpyJKQgI
  3. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/leaving-puppy-alone/
  4. https://goldenmeadowsretrievers.com/how-long-can-you-leave-puppy-alone/
  5. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/how-long-leave-puppy-alone/