When you adopt a dog who has never lived inside a house, there’s no telling what surprises might be in store — and that’s exactly what happened when Shawna, a New Hampshire dog lover, brought home Falkor, an Alaskan Malamute rescue with little experience of domestic life.
What followed quickly became an internet favorite because Falkor’s adjustment was equal parts endearing and unexpectedly funny.
Shawna shared Falkor’s story on TikTok under her handle @instashawna, showing the world what life looks like when a dog who has spent most of his life outside suddenly begins to explore a human home. According to Shawna, Falkor had never lived indoors before she adopted him — something she only learned after bringing him home.
He wasn’t potty trained, didn’t know basic commands, and was very skittish, a sign that his previous life likely didn’t include much socialization or training. Even his vet noted a lack of typical home‑dog behavior and evidence he may have once worn a shock collar, which could explain his quiet bark and general wariness.
Rather than leap into indoor living all at once, Shawna took a gradual, patient approach. At first, Falkor was allowed access only to a small part of the house so he wouldn’t become overwhelmed. As he settled in, his indoor territory was slowly expanded, giving him time to understand what home life really meant without pressure or fear.
This thoughtful transition was key to helping him adjust to sights, sounds and spaces he had never known before.
But even with Shawna’s careful guidance, Falkor developed a very specific and hilarious fixation — the kitchen oven. It didn’t matter whether it was on or off, or whether anyone was cooking: Falkor simply loved being near the oven.
Shawna explained his attraction wasn’t about food, since that area of the kitchen isn’t where meals are prepared or served. Instead, Falkor just seemed to find comfort close to that spot, often lingering there even when nothing was happening.
At one point, Shawna noted that Falkor might even try to jump up toward the oven, but only when it was off. That quirky behavior wasn’t driven by hunger, and since the oven wasn’t where meals were served or food was stored, it made his attachment all the more amusing and puzzling.
Viewers watching the videos couldn’t help but laugh — and relate — as many saw something familiar in Falkor’s selective indoor preferences.
Beyond the oven fascination, Falkor’s journey is a beautiful example of how resilience and patience go hand in hand in dog adoption. A dog who once lived entirely outdoors, unfamiliar with floors, doors and indoor smells, is now learning what safety and comfort feel like — one little step at a time.
His growing comfort with indoor routines shows how trust builds through consistent kindness, even when the world is unfamiliar.
And while everyone gets a chuckle out of his oven obsession, the real heart of Falkor’s story is in how far he’s come.
From skittish and unsure to exploring the house and finding a place that feels like home, his transformation is a reminder that every rescue dog — no matter how inexperienced with domestic life — has the potential to blossom with patience and care.
So the next time you see a dog with a strange new habit, just remember: sometimes what seems quirky is just a dog saying, “I’m figuring this life out — and I feel safe doing it.”
