Puppyhood is full of firsts — first walk, first bath, first bite of kibble.
For one Golden Retriever puppy named Lana, one of her biggest firsts turned out to be… figuring out how to use her own tongue.
The video of her attempt is equal parts adorable, funny, and adorably awkward — and that’s why it’s winning hearts online.
It starts simple: Lana’s nestled comfortably on the living room floor, head tilted upward, eyes droopy with that sleepy‑puppy bliss.
Her human gives a soft under‑chin scratch, and you can see her melt. That’s when the instinct kicks in. In theory, it’s a sweet dog reflex — a gentle lick on the hand that’s scratching you.
But in practice? For Lana, it hits a little sideways. Her tongue shoots out… and then… doesn’t retract. Instead, it sort of pauses — stuck, mid‑lick.
For a half‑second, she freezes. Her eyes widen. She blinks.
There’s a soft little beep of confusion coming from somewhere, and you can practically hear the wheels in her brain turning: “Wait — how does this work again?”
It’s a split‑second moment, but one loaded with innocence. Her face shifts from bliss to bafflement. She lifts her paw. Maybe to help.
Maybe to rub. Then she pants. Tongue snaps back. Crisis averted. Or at least… postponed until the next scratch.
The charm of that tiny “glitch” — that puppy brain struggling to sync body and desire — is what melts people’s hearts.
Comments under the video are raving: “PAWdorable,” “Cutest pup ever,” “I need a million kisses.” One user joked Lana’s tongue just forgot the return key.
Another said every puppy should come with a “tongue‑training” class.
But beyond the laughs and “aww”‑s, Lana’s moment carries a quiet beauty. It reminds us just how new everything is for a young dog.
For her, the world is still an endless rolling animation: ears, paws, tongue, smells, strange surfaces underfoot.
She’s learning — not just tricks, but her own body’s rules. That confused pause? It isn’t failure. It’s discovery. It’s growth.
Golden Retrievers are known for their warmth, loyalty, and gentle nature. Puppies of that breed are blessed with curiosity and a natural tendency to bond.
Watching Lana fail at something as simple as licking — and then try again — is a miniature testament to that: the persistence, the trust, the drive to connect.
It’s also a gentle reminder for anyone with a new puppy (or anyone thinking of getting one): these little beings aren’t perfect right away.
They stumble. They freeze. They mix up instinct and execution. Sometimes your pup will flop over walking. Sometimes they’ll chase their tail.
Sometimes their tongue will freeze mid‑lick. And that’s not an excuse — it’s part of what makes them lovable, human‑like in their clumsiness, and endearing beyond reason.
By the end of the video, Lana’s face relaxes. The pant ends. She seems to shrug it off, as if deciding: “Okay. That was weird. Next round.”
And you want to cheer for her. Not because it was cute — but because she’s trying. Because she’s learning. Because she’s not perfect yet.
And because maybe that’s the best kind of puppy you can ask for.
If you ever need a pet‑cation moment, or a reminder of innocence, or a quick smile — watch Lana. Watch that tongue.
Watch that flicker of confusion. And then watch her try again. Maybe she’ll get it next time. Maybe she won’t.
But you’ll love every attempt.
