Dog Has Hilarious Reaction As Owner Clears Out His ‘Hoarder’ Den

An 8-year-old cocker spaniel named Bramble has been caught red-pawed, hoarding a surprising collection of items in her self-made den.

In a TikTok video uploaded to @bellyupbramble, which has since garnered over 745,000 views and more than 64,000 likes, Bramble’s millennial owner invites viewers to witness her uncover the secret stash. The caption reads: “Come with me to upset Bramble, a.k.a. empty her den.”

Peering into a small hole in the wall that leads to Bramble’s hidden cave, the owner looks unimpressed as she begins extracting one item after another—starting with a gray T-shirt, then a slipper, and eventually 23 socks. Bramble sits quietly beside her, ears drooped and eyes wide, as if silently pleading her case.

Once the treasure trove is emptied, Bramble adorably buries her head into her owner’s lap, an apparent mix of guilt and shame—though she cheekily manages to snag another sock before it is all over. The clip is captioned: “Bramble’s a hoarder. Or maybe just a thief.”

Why Dogs Steal or Hoard—And What To Do About It

Joe Nutkins, a Kennel Club-accredited dog trainer, told Newsweek that stealing behavior in dogs can sometimes be linked to resource guarding or even hormonal changes—particularly in female dogs experiencing phantom pregnancies.

During these periods, dogs may instinctively gather items such as toys, clothing, shoes, or even feathers to build a “nest” and care for what they perceive as a puppy.

Nutkins has shared five practical strategies for managing and redirecting dogs like Bramble:

1. Turn Stealing Into a Game

If your dog is playfully stealing (not guarding or aggressive), you can use it as a fun interaction. Run the other way or encourage a playful chase, then offer a higher-value item like a favorite toy or treats to swap for the stolen one.

2. Teach a ‘Tidy Up’ Trick

Train your dog to drop items into a storage bin for a treat. This reframes stealing as a shared activity, helping the dog associate tidying with positive reinforcement—and you get everything in one place.

3. Respect Their Safe Space

If your dog hides items in a bed, crate, or den, call them out using a toy or treat instead of diving in while they are present. Once they’re distracted, retrieve the items to avoid conflict or anxiety.

4. Create Decoy Items

Offer safe, scent-infused decoy items (like old socks or towels) as part of a game. Hide them and encourage your dog to find and “hoard” these instead of your possessions.

5. Watch for Guarding Behaviors

If your dog shows signs of resource guarding (growling or aggression), seek professional help. Don’t corner or confront them. Instead, distract them and remove access to the item once they have moved away.

TikTok Reacts

The popular video has over 1,000 comments—with many users defending Bramble.

“I’d like to represent Brambles in court … no one saw anything, you have no witnesses, I suggest to you m’lord that Brambles is indeed innocent,” said one user.

Another posted: “Bramble’s like ‘I’ve never seen those before in my life!’ I can also say as her alibi, that she is innocent on the multiple days that those socks were clearly planted in her den.”

“The jury finds her not guilty,” added a third commenter.

Newsweek reached out to @bellyupbramble for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.

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.