"Very concerned": Experts warn against "bark at your dog" TikTok trend

Newsweek

Animal behavior experts have told Newsweek the social media trend can distress dogs—and lead to them biting their owners.

Viral videos and dogs are two things that go hand-in-hand. However, animal behavior experts have issued a warning about the latest pet trend on TikTok.

In “bark at your dog” videos, TikTokers get up close to their pets and yelp in their faces, hoping to prompt a humorous reaction to share online. Often, users will overlap the sound of their barking with a popular audio on the app but, judging from the dogs’ reactions, it’s clear they’re doing it in person too.

One video, shared by @adrianchateau, has gained more than 32 million likes. Others have racked up many millions of views.

Reactions vary from dog to dog, but the prank often results in the animals widening their eyes, barking back, licking their owners’ faces or even baring their teeth.

Some TikTok viewers have expressed concern that these clips are popularizing barking at your dog, which could be dangerous. Newsweek asked dog behavior experts for their verdict on the stunt and it was unanimous—don’t do it.

“I’ve watched half a dozen different videos with men and women trying this trend, with various breeds of dogs, and the main factor I see in every one is that the dog is surprised and unsure of what to do in response,” said Joe Nutkins, a Kennel Club-accredited dog trainer and behaviorist based in southeast England.

“When a dog barks very deep and strongly [this] could easily be viewed by another dog as showing authority or even bossiness to a dog that is nervous. To have a bark like this suddenly happen so close to a dog would absolutely be a surprise.”

She added: “The majority of dogs wouldn’t understand the intention behind the bark or in some cases where it has come from.”

Nutkins broke down the body language of the dogs in these videos, pointing out their wide eyes, pinned back ears, curled lips, bared teeth, low slow tail wags and stillness. In some clips, the dogs are seen licking their owners’ faces manically.

Although some of these actions are indicators of discomfort, they are often confused with signs of happiness—particularly the slow tail wag.

“A slow tail wag, often held low or under the body, is…