Rare Great Dane-Mastiff Mix Pouts Just Like A Toddler After Being Told 'No'
All good owners want to keep the things you do that break your dog's heart to a minimum. But every now and then, you might fall short, especially if the thing you did is actually what's best for your dog, after all. Just watch this popular TikTok video from September 2025. In it, Samson, a great Dane and mastiff mix (aka Daniff), reacts to being denied a snack before bed. His owner knew that this might not be best for his health, but his pout in response was absolutely heartbreaking.
@sunshinesa9169 He tried the same BS tonight at bedtime! #daniff #bigdogs #giantdogsoftiktok #maddog #fyp
The clip starts with a visibly upset Samson looking off into the opposite direction as his owner says, "This guy is mad at me." So, not off to the best start. Samson's mom says he was so upset that he skipped morning cuddles, and wouldn't join his mom on the couch for their afternoon hangout. Apparently, he even skipped his first meal of the day, as his mom said, "He could have eaten this morning and did he? Nope! I even went to the bowl and stirred it with my hands and said, "There you go!"" Despite Samson's grudge, the final seconds in the clip reveal the owner's shoe having been placed on the couch by (assumedly) Samson. Could it be a sign that all will be well soon?
How can you tell if your dog's holding a grudge like Samson?
Canines can definitely get upset. More specifically, a 2019 article in Frontiers in Neuroscience reviewed research by neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp that showed that dogs, like all other mammals, experience something called the "seven primary emotions," which includes anger (or rage!). But that doesn't mean dog feelings show up the same as ours.
To avoid making assumptions about your dog, it's best to avoid anthropomorphizing, or assuming human reactions for nonhuman beings. If that's the case, what are some ways you can know if your fur baby is displeased? For starters, we can look at body language. Certified veterinary technician Kait Hembree shared with Newsweek, "If your dog is struggling with a negative association towards you or remains upset, it will be clear by their body language." Showing indifference or distance to an owner, or a lack of eye contact, can be a great way to assess if a dog is upset. With that in mind, Samson's refusal to look at or hang out with his mom after not getting treats seems pretty clear.
When all is well, big dogs like Samson can be the cutest lap dogs (see: things you'll understand if you have a big dog). But that doesn't mean their avoidance always means they are upset. Several other factors, like a dog's nervousness or getting used to a new space, could also be the reason for avoidance. It's important to learn how to read your dog's body language to better understand what it might be feeling. That way, you'll have more time to decode its more mysterious actions, like Samson placing his owner's shoe on the couch amidst his grudge-filled morning.