A dog’s split-second realization that they were heading to the vet—rather than out for a walk—has left viewers in stitches after a video of the moment posted to TikTok went viral.
The video, uploaded on August 8 by the dog’s owner under @loki_and_nova, shows the American bulldog sitting upright in the backseat of a car, its front paws planted on the center console. With wide eyes and its jaw dropped in a way uncannily resembling human surprise, the dog appears stunned to discover that the car has pulled into a veterinary clinic rather than a park or trail.
The moment, complete with an overlaid caption reading, “when mom said you were going for a walk but you’ve just pulled up at the vets,” has struck a chord with dog owners online. “The betrayal is in his face,” the post read. Since being shared, the video has garnered more than 104,000 views and 5,000 likes.
The clip has resonated not just for its humor, but because the reaction captured is all too familiar to anyone who has ever had to coax a pet into a vet’s office.
The betrayal is in his face #dogsoftiktok#dogs#funnydogs#xlbully#fyp
“Dogs often exhibit fear toward veterinary clinics due to a combination of environmental stressors, prior negative experiences, and the influence of owner behavior and training,” Dr. Emma Choi, a veterinarian at Banfield Pet Hospitals and VCA Crocker, told Newsweek.
Environmental factors in vet clinics—like strange dogs, new people, and loud, unpredictable noises—can heighten a dog’s stress response, Choi explained. That stress can be compounded by physical discomfort from previous procedures.
“Certain clinical procedures and tools, including muzzles or restraint techniques, may heighten anxiety and provoke defensive behaviors,” she said. “Past traumatic experiences, such as painful injections, surgeries, or other invasive procedures, can create lasting associations of fear that intensify with repeated clinic visits.”
Physical touch in sensitive areas also plays a role.
“Dogs are particularly sensitive to physical touch in certain areas of the body, such as the head, shoulders, and neck, which can become aversive if handled improperly or unexpectedly by veterinary staff,” Choi said.
But a pet’s fear does not originate from the clinic alone. According to Choi, dogs may pick up on their owner’s emotional state as well.
“The emotional state of the owner can inadvertently influence the dog’s anxiety; owners who are nervous or stressed about their pet’s health may transmit these emotions, thereby heightening the dog’s own fear response,” she said.
Commenters on TikTok recognized the dog’s reaction all too well. Many noted how expressive the bulldog’s face was.
“My [Labrador is] the same, he’s been kept in a few times for eating things he shouldn’t and now won’t go in door without a struggle,” one viewer said, while another added: “The look of betrayal bless him.”
Newsweek reached out to @loki_and_nova for more information via TikTok.
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The post Hysterics at Dog’s Reaction To Realizing They Are Heading to Vets, Not Walk appeared first on Newsweek.
