Golden Retriever gives mom side-eye for being “too slow” to the crying baby

When your dog judges your  parenting skills—it stings a little extra. Just ask Winston the Golden Retriever’s mom, whose pup has mastered the art of the bombastic side-eye.

In a TikTok posted by @winston.goldenpup, Winston stares her down in a montage of clips anytime the  baby cries and she isn’t fast enough to respond. The text on screen sums it up perfectly: “All the times my dog judged me for not jumping up fast enough when he hears the baby cry.” The clip has already racked up 2.7M views, and the comments are pure gold.

One person joked, “Are you gonna take care of the baby or am I gonna have to step up?” Another added, “He looks like he’s about to call Paw Patrol.” Someone else captured the collective vibe: “I’ve never seen a dog look so disappointed in someone before.”

Related: Dog rests his head on baby bump—then the kick comes

The side-eye hits different for moms

If you’ve ever felt guilty for not leaping out of bed the second your baby whimpers, Winston’s expression probably felt painfully familiar. Parenthood comes with constant internal side-eye—Am I doing enough? Am I doing it fast enough?—so when even the family dog seems disappointed, it’s both hilarious and a little too real.

But here’s the thing: dogs like Winston aren’t just being dramatic. Research shows that when dogs hear a baby crying, their stress hormone (cortisol) rises significantly, which scientists call emotional contagion. In other words, dogs can literally feel our stress and sadness—and they respond with empathy【source: National Library of Medicine. So while Winston’s looks could win an Oscar for “Most Judgmental Pet,” they probably come from genuine concern.

Related: You won’t believe what this 14-year-old dog did when she heard a crying baby

Helping pets adjust to baby life

As funny as Winston’s reactions are, they’re also a reminder that pets go through their own adjustment period when a new baby arrives. A few ways to keep your pup feeling like part of the parenting team:

• Keep their routines steady: Walks, mealtimes, and snuggles help dogs feel secure.
  
• Involve them in the baby’s world: Let them sniff a blanket from the hospital or sit nearby during feedings (supervised, of course).
  
• Give them small “jobs”: Even something silly like “helping” you bring a burp cloth can reinforce their role as a big sibling.
  

It’s all about making sure our furry family members feel valued instead of sidelined.