Crate training is necessary for many dog owners, and it allows dogs to have their own cherished space too. However, that doesn't necessarily work when there's a toddler nearby who loves to open the crate door at every opportunity.

For Dev Erlich, life can be rather hectic with a 13-month-old toddler and a 3-year-old golden retriever. The duo is inseparable, and Shalom loves following his four-legged bestie, Skylar, everywhere she goes—even when she's in her dog crate.

Erlich, from New Jersey, explained to Newsweek that Shalom has always been interested in the crate and he "used to bang on the doors." That intrigue soon turned into problem solving, and the toddler quickly figured out how to open the doors to let Skylar out instead.

This was evidenced in a hilarious TikTok video (@skylars.the.limitt), showing the moment Shalom wandered over to the crate, with a ball in hand, and unlocked the doors so Skylar could play. The clip has gone viral, gaining more than 677,800 views and over 27,000 likes already on TikTok.

"They are super cute together and Shalom has recently gotten extra interested in Skylar," Erlich said. "Recently, he figured out how to open the crate, so now he sees it as a challenge, and any time she's in there, he goes straight over and opens the doors.

"I thought it was funny and classic of them, but I am definitely in trouble with them now. Shalom started going to the door trying to open it up, and as soon as Skylar sees him, she runs over hoping he has it figured out."

The mischievous duo certainly loves to show off their teamwork whenever it's time to play ball. Fortunately, Erlich sees the humor in her son's antics, joking that "he doesn't believe in crate training" so in his view, it's always "time for a jailbreak."

For many years, Erlich dreamed of having a golden retriever, and now that dream has come true as she watches the loving bond between Shalom and Skylar.

"Watching her be the best big sister to my son and seeing him learn to love her as much as I do melts my heart, and it's something that I'm grateful for every day," she told Newsweek.

She never imagined that the video would go viral, but she's been delighted by the positive response that it's received on social media. Some TikTokers questioned why Skylar was in the crate to begin with, but Erlich assures people that she loves it in there as it's "her den and cozy space," so she will sit in there voluntarily.

Erlich continued: "Most people loved the video, saying that this is just the start and they love watching this beautiful friendship blossom."

With nearly 100 comments on the TikTok post already, Shalom earned plenty of praise for looking out for his best buddy. One comment reads: "This is only the beginning for those 2 besties. Thank you for raising your child with pets."

Another person wrote: "Hey I am actually the boss here so you can go."

While another TikToker joked: "Awe they both are gonna get into so much trouble together."

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.