Hysterics at How German Shepherd Defies Owners After Being Shut Out of Room

A German shepherd has left the internet in stitches after he found a way to keep a close eye on house guests, despite being shut out of the room. Rocky, who lives with owner Nicole and family in Los Angeles, captured hearts in a video where he squeezed his head through the cat flap in a door, peering into the room where handymen had come to work. The text overlay joked: "When your humans put you in the garage because the handymen are in the house but you're not gonna let that stop you from guarding them," explaining Rocky's unwavering dedication to his duty.

The video, posted by Instagram user @itsrockyivanov, has amassed more than 19 million views. "He has only recently discovered that his head can fit through that old cat door," Nicole told Newsweek. "So whenever he needs to be put away for guests who are afraid of big dogs he pokes his head in to investigate," she laughed. "He's a mamas boy and doesn't like being away from me and his new baby sister." It is perhaps little surprise that Rocky is keen to guard his family from the new arrivals, in fact, German shepherds have a long history as guard dogs. Originally bred to herd and guard sheep, the breed are known for being excellent guard dogs thanks to their curiosity, intelligence and inclination to be wary of strangers.

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Today, these natural traits are well utilized with many of the breed being employed in police and military roles around the world. They're also popular pets, though, with the American Kennel Club listing them as the fourth most popular dog in the U.S., just behind golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers and French bulldogs. In lots of comments on the now viral video, animal lovers were obsessed with Rocky's dedication to his role in the home. "He's too cute!" said one commenter, while another pointed out that he was "on duty 24/7." "He just wanted to let them know he is always watching," pointed out another Instagram user. "I love sharing videos of Rocky because he is the most handsome boy who has the goofiest personality," said Nicole. "They are the best memories to save." Others likened Rocky pushing his head through the small gap in the door to that of a persistent salesman, adding more humor. "We've been trying to contact you regarding your car's extended warranty," joked one comment. While another said: "Do you have a moment to talk about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?" Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup. Update, 02/27/2024 4:30 a.m.: This story was updated with video, pictures and additional comment from the dog owner.