Watch owner’s hilarious attempt at gardening with golden retriever

For some people, gardening is the perfect way to relax and unwind away from life’s stresses. But that isn’t the case for this dog owner who has a golden retriever who loves to get involved in every way possible.

Whenever Alicia Henderson, 47, heads outside to spruce up her garden, she’s sure to be accompanied by Finn, her 18-month-old golden retriever. As much as he loves trying to lend his owner a helping paw with the flowers, he usually causes nothing but chaos as he digs up the soil, moves the tools, and chews her gardening gloves.

Finn loves to get involved in anything his owner is doing, but when it comes to going outside, he couldn’t be happier in the garden. Henderson, from New Jersey, told Newsweek that he’s “a huge fan of the flowers,” and while he’s learned to be gentle with them, the same can’t be said for the empty plant containers.

“He likes to be involved in every step of the planting process,” Henderson said. “He desperately wants my gardening gloves and tries to steal them at any chance he gets. He loves to move the sprinkler and will continue to do so all summer long. It’s never in the same place I left it.”

Golden retriever gardening — Finn the golden retriever caught trying to help with the gardening. Finn’s owner jokes that none of her tools are ever where she left them because the golden likes to move everything when he’s helping.
Finn the golden retriever caught trying to help with the gardening. Finn’s owner jokes that none of her tools are ever where she left them because the golden likes to move everything when he’s helping.
@ourgoldenboyfinn / TikTok

The gardening would normally take Henderson around two hours, but she jokes that it takes the whole day to complete when Finn is around. Fortunately, she sees the funny side to his shenanigans and “wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Whether she’s outside planting flowers or doing the laundry inside, Finn is sure to get involved in the action. “He is always getting into things, but he does so in such an adorable way and looks so joyful and innocent when he does it,” Henderson continued.

The Social Media Response

In May, Henderson shared a hilarious video on TikTok (@ourgoldenboyfinn) of Finn moving gardening tools and using the watering can as a chew toy. The video delighted many, and it’s already gained more than 88,100 views and more than 7,800 likes so far.

It’s certainly “never a dull moment” for Henderson, who never imagined that her mischievous golden retriever would become a viral sensation.

She told Newsweek: “He’s constantly making us smile, so I thought it would be fun to share his antics with other dog lovers. The reactions on social media are amazing, and everyone seems to agree that he’s a great helper and is too cute to be mad at. It brings me joy to be able to share his shenanigans with the world and make others smile.”

The viral TikTok video has amassed over 150 comments so far, with many people lauding Finn for trying to be so helpful. One comment reads: “This puppy has a green paw!”

Another person responded: “He’s the plant manager!”

A third TikTok user wrote: “What a hard worker! His garden will win awards for sure.”

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.