'Nervous' Owner Checks Pet Cam—Unprepared for What Rescue Dog Is Doing

Newsweek

16-05-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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A pet camera gives owners the opportunity to keep an eye on their furry friends but doing exactly that can sometimes lead to a sense of dread.
As demonstrated by Zeppelin's owner, who initially feared the rescued German shepherd may be destructive when left home alone. However, the surveillance footage showed the opposite.
The text layered over a clip of Zeppelin happily lying on the kitchen floor states the owner was "nervous," but according to the caption, the only thing that was destroyed was their heart. As the next few scenes show the dog lying by the front door waiting for them to come home.
Newsweek discussed the heartbreaking clip that has 237,800 views with United Kingdom-based, Kennel Club-accredited dog trainer Joe Nutkins.
Tips to Help Dogs Who Are Not Comfortable Alone at Home
She has provided the following tips for owners with dogs who do not enjoy being home alone.
Create a Comfortable Space: Ensure dogs have a space with a bed or crate they already like using when you're home. This doesn't need to be the whole house—many dogs relax more in a smaller area, like a single room or a couple of rooms with other doors closed. Ideally, this space should be away from external noise, strong air fresheners, and other disturbances.
Ensure dogs have a space with a bed or crate they already like using when you're home. This doesn't need to be the whole house—many dogs relax more in a smaller area, like a single room or a couple of rooms with other doors closed. Ideally, this space should be away from external noise, strong air fresheners, and other disturbances. Use Calming Tools: Tools like Pet Remedy and DAP Diffusers can help dogs feel calmer and happier when alone. Each dog has different preferences, so if one scent or brand doesn't work, others might, as they have different blends.
Tools like Pet Remedy and DAP Diffusers can help dogs feel calmer and happier when alone. Each dog has different preferences, so if one scent or brand doesn't work, others might, as they have different blends. Provide Background Noise: Playing the radio or other sounds only when leaving can signal your departure rather than soothe. Instead, use the same noise consistently when you're home and away, so it becomes a familiar background. This helps by providing a known sound and masking potentially disturbing outside noises.
Playing the radio or other sounds only when leaving can signal your departure rather than soothe. Instead, use the same noise consistently when you're home and away, so it becomes a familiar background. This helps by providing a known sound and masking potentially disturbing outside noises. Offer Licky Mats or Toys: Give your dog a licky mat with paste or coconut oil before you leave to encourage self-soothing. Licking helps dogs feel calmer, but stressed dogs may not eat once left alone—offering it while you're getting ready can be more effective. The same applies to toys they can lick or extract food from.
Give your dog a licky mat with paste or coconut oil before you leave to encourage self-soothing. Licking helps dogs feel calmer, but stressed dogs may not eat once left alone—offering it while you're getting ready can be more effective. The same applies to toys they can lick or extract food from. Teach Switching Off: Spend time with your dog while doing non-interactive tasks—like reading, cooking, or using the phone—to reduce the contrast between attention and absence. Dogs often struggle with the abrupt shift when we go from interacting to leaving. Practicing short periods (10–20 minutes) of "switching off" helps dogs learn they're not missing out and prepares them for alone time.
A stock image of a German shepherd lying on the floor with a sad facial expression.
A stock image of a German shepherd lying on the floor with a sad facial expression.
VacharapongW/iStock / Getty Images Plus
TikTok Reacts
As of now, the clip has almost 50,000 likes and many comments.
"At least he has someone to wait for now," pointed out one user and another wrote: "They have no concept of time—all they know is that you come back."
"If I saw this I would never be able to leave my house again," said a third user.
Newsweek reached out to @zuniandzeppelin for comment via email. We could not verify the details of the case.
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