Labrador Retriever Has the Funniest Way of Stopping After a Run
Most dogs know how to slow down after a sprint, but this Labrador Retriever named Stella has a very unique way of stopping after a run. Every time she finishes sprinting across the yard, she comes to a stop in the most hilarious way possible, and it's got people talking.
Stella doesn't just stop; she basically looks like a plane landing in the grass. She throws her back legs straight out behind her, drops her belly to the ground, and stretches her front paws out in front like she's sliding into home base. No matter how many times you watch it, the video somehow gets funnier every single time.
@dognamedstella Doggo.exe has stopped working. #stellasdogbrakes#sploot#keepbeingyou#dogsofmaine
original sound - dognamedstella
Talk about the perfect sploot! Stella's parents joked in the caption, "Doggo.exe has stopped working," and that feels pretty accurate. They also included the hashtag #StellasGotBrakes, which couldn't be more fitting for her hilarious landing technique.
Related: Video of Precious Leaf-Loving Labrador Retrievers Is the Best Dose of Joy
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Why Dogs "Sploot"
Commenters got a kick out of Stella's unique technique and had some funny things to say about it. @Brad Smyth shared an airplane emoji and said, "Coming in for landing!"
@t.yoda05 likened it to "drag cars deploying a parachute." @Lokithedoberdork shared, "He's pulling the emergency brake." @Lihi added, "I think it's called a hind brake."
Commenter @Lorri said what Stella was probably thinking, "…aaaaaaaaand I'm done walking." @Adam K Lee added, "SPLOOTSTOP!"
Many people don't realize this funny position actually has a name, and it's just as entertaining as the pose itself. It's called "splooting," and dogs, along with plenty of other animals, do it often.
A sploot happens when an animal stretches their back legs straight out behind them while lying on their belly.
Some dogs sploot simply because it's comfortable, while others do it to cool off or stretch their hips and legs after activity. It's especially common in younger dogs and certain breeds, including Shih-Tzus.
VCA Hospitals even describes three different splooting styles that you might see your pet do:
- The full sploot: With the classic sploot, both hind legs are stretched out behind their body. Cats and short-legged dog breeds like corgis and Chihuahuas like the full sploot.
- The half sploot: One hind leg is stretched straight back while the other is tucked under their abdomen. Larger breed dogs often do the half sploot.
- The side sploot: One hind leg is stuck out to the side while the other remains nestled near their body.
We love that Stella didn't just stop running… she made an entrance!
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This story was originally published May 9, 2026 at 8:00 PM.