When I adopted Max, my golden retriever, I expected loyalty, love, and maybe some drool. What I didn’t expect was a full-on prankster in a fluffy golden coat. Max was clever—too clever sometimes—and had a sense of humor that could rival a ten-year-old child’s. But what really surprised me the most? He managed to pass this mischievous spirit onto his little sister, Luna.
Let me back up a bit.
Max was my first dog as an adult. I brought him home when he was just 8 weeks old, all floppy ears and paws too big for his body. From the start, he had this sparkle in his eye. He learned tricks quickly—sit, stay, shake—but he also learned things I never taught him, like how to open doors and unscrew the lid of the treat jar. I should have known then that I was dealing with a canine genius.
By the time Max turned two, I decided he needed a companion. That’s when Luna came into our lives. She was another golden retriever, just as fluffy but a little more timid at first. Max took to her immediately. He was gentle, patient, and oddly… strategic. Looking back, I think he saw her as his apprentice in mischief.
Their first prank together was innocent enough. I had just come home from the grocery store and left a bag of apples on the kitchen counter. Max had always known better than to steal from the counter, but Luna—being new—was still learning the ropes. I left the room for a minute, and when I returned, the apples were scattered all over the living room. Luna was sitting next to them looking guilty, but Max was nowhere to be seen. I caught a glimpse of him peeking from behind the couch, tail wagging furiously.
It wasn’t long before these little tricks escalated.
One morning, I was in the bathroom brushing my teeth. I heard a commotion in the hallway—nothing unusual with two dogs playing—until I walked out and found every single shoe from the closet lined up perfectly in a row down the hallway. I looked down at Max, who was proudly sitting at the front of the shoe parade, and Luna, who was chewing on a slipper at the end of the line. Coincidence? I didn’t think so.
Max had turned pranking into a daily sport. He would ring the bell on the door (something I taught him for potty training) and then run to the other side of the house as soon as I got up to let him out. At first, Luna was genuinely confused. She’d trot over to the door, expecting to go outside, only to be met by an empty doorway and my puzzled face. Eventually, she started ringing the bell herself… and then running away, just like Max.
The two of them began working in tandem. One would distract me while the other would sneak into the laundry room or jump on the couch (which they both knew was off-limits). I remember one particular day when Max brought me his leash and sat patiently by the door. Impressed by his initiative, I got up to take him for a walk. As I grabbed my shoes, Luna darted into the kitchen and stole half a sandwich off the counter. By the time I realized what had happened, Max was already sitting by the door with a smug expression, and Luna was licking her lips behind him.
It wasn’t just food they targeted. They once managed to rearrange the couch cushions in such a way that it looked like a fort. I’m not exaggerating—they had built a fort. Max was inside, head poking out, and Luna was standing guard. I have the pictures to prove it.
But the best prank—their masterpiece—happened on April Fool’s Day.
Now, obviously dogs don’t know about holidays, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Max had circled the date on his invisible doggy calendar. That morning, I woke up to complete silence, which is always suspicious in a house with two goldens. I walked into the living room and found… nothing. No dogs. No chaos. Not even fur tumbleweeds floating across the hardwood floor. Then I heard a faint rustle.
I turned toward the hallway and saw a trail of socks—yes, socks—leading to the bathroom. I followed the sock path, amused and a little concerned, and opened the door. There, sitting side by side in the bathtub, were Max and Luna, looking up at me like they’d been caught plotting world domination. The tub was filled with toys—squeaky toys, tennis balls, and even my hairbrush.
I burst out laughing. I don’t know how they did it. I don’t know how they got all the toys in there without me hearing a thing. But they had clearly worked together, one probably fetching the toys, the other dragging them into the tub. It was so elaborate, so ridiculous, that I had to give them a round of applause. They basked in my laughter like it was the highest reward.
Since then, the pranks haven’t stopped. If anything, they’ve become more creative.
Max and Luna have become legends among my friends and neighbors. People ask me for updates on their latest antics. My Instagram has turned into a dedicated “Golden Retriever Shenanigans” account. And honestly? I love it.
Their playful energy has brought so much joy into my life. Every prank, every trick, every time they team up to outsmart me—it’s a reminder of their bond, their intelligence, and their capacity to find fun in everyday moments. Max isn’t just a pet; he’s a teacher, a partner-in-crime, and now, a mentor to his mischievous little sister.
Who knew a dog could teach another dog how to prank? Well, Max did. And Luna? She’s proving to be quite the pupil.
So, if you’re ever thinking about getting two dogs—especially golden retrievers—just know that you might not be getting pets. You might be getting pranksters in disguise.
And honestly? That’s the best surprise of all.
Let me know if you’d like a shorter version, a version for kids, or even an illustration of Max and Luna in their prank fort!
