Social media has given dog lovers endless inspiration, training tips, enrichment ideas and cute tricks. And honestly? It’s completely okay to have an Instagram account just for your dog, or post their antics on TikTok. Capturing their milestones, training wins, and goofy personality is a beautiful way to celebrate life with them.
But let’s be real: not every viral trend is a good idea, and some can actually do more harm than good.
As a professional working with dogs every day, I’m all for making training fun and engaging. I love seeing people bond with their dogs through creativity and shared joy. But I also believe in doing right by the dogs I work with. And sometimes that means saying: actually, no, your dog doesn’t need to do that TikTok thing.
🚩 Let’s Talk “Cute” but Problematic
You’ve probably seen it:
• Dogs being spun in circles for a laugh
• Off‑lead walks promoted without any recall foundation
• “Alpha rolls” or dominance-based techniques disguised as behavioural fixes
• “Reactivity cures” that boil down to flooding
• Owners sticking their hands in food bowls to cause a reaction
• Dogs being screamed at for viral music trend reactions
• Chucking buckets of water over pets
These clips rack up views because they look dramatic or ‘funny’. But what you don’t see is the confusion, stress, or even injury these dogs may endure.
Dogs don’t thrive on being startled for entertainment—they deserve respect, trust, and care.
⚠️ Social Media Isn’t a Training Manual
The biggest problem with these trends? They strip away context. You’re seeing a few seconds of something that could have taken weeks—or shouldn’t have happened at all.
What’s missing:
• The dog’s temperament, training level, and emotional history.
• Any proper desensitisation or conditioning process.
• Signs of stress—like whale eye, lip licking, avoidance—that often gets edited out.
• What happens when it all goes wrong.
Just because something looks amusing doesn’t make it safe or fair.
🧠 Real Training Isn’t Flashy
Solid dog training is subtle and deliberate:
• Teaching recall one distraction at a time.
• Building trust, then introducing challenges gently.
• Emphasising positive reinforcement over pressure.
• Adjusting quietly, reinforcing, repeating.
There’s no flashy music, no fast edits. But your dog feels safe, understood, and motivated.
✋ Before You Try It…
Ask yourself:
• Is this safe for my dog’s body and mind?
• Would I do this if no one else was watching?
• Does my dog genuinely seem comfortable—or just shocked?
• Am I doing this for them… or for attention?
If in doubt, don’t do it. Your dog doesn’t need the trend, they need your care.
🎯 Final Thought
Your dog doesn’t need to go viral. They don’t need to perform for likes or create content. They just need love, consistency, and thoughtful interaction.
So next time you see a viral dog trend, pause. Think about trust, wellbeing, and respect.
Not every screen deserves your dog’s trust.
Let’s keep training safe, responsible, and compassionate.
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