When it comes to irresistible scents, nothing quite tops the smell of sizzling sausages — at least not for one cheeky pup who’s become an internet sensation.
In a viral video shared by owner @srv2277, a man can be seen making hot dogs, and the terrier-mixed dog cannot contain her excitement. But rather than jumping up to get one, she politely yet impatiently slams her paws on her treat button, then sits down, expecting one to be thrown her way.
Newsweek discussed the comical TikTok clip that has 1.4 million views with Kisty Thomas, a registered nutritionist who has experience in both pet nutrition and human preventative health and animal healthcare.
She said: “While dogs can eat sausages in small amounts, it’s generally not safe. Most sausages are high in fat, salt, and spices, which aren’t ideal for dogs and can lead to stomach upset or more serious health issues.”
Thomas, who works for a wellness and fitness service called Prowise Healthcare, has shared the following tips for owners who want to give their dog a meaty treat:
- Always check the ingredients first.
- Avoid sausages that contain garlic, onions, or heavy seasoning.
- Make sure it’s plain, cooked, and given in a very small quantity as an occasional treat, not as a regular part of their diet.
In this instance, the main focus isn’t the sausages. It is how the rescue dog has requested them. But can dogs really communicate with soundboards?
According to one study, published in PLOS One,they can. Last year, researchers at the University of California, San Diego, found dogs can use soundboard buttons to communicate meaningfully.
The findings suggest dogs aren’t just mimicking their owners but are processing words to give contextually appropriate responses. According to lead researcher Federico Rossano, this marks just the beginning of exploring canine vocabulary, with future studies aiming to delve into more abstract concepts to better understand dog cognition and communication.
Newsweek previously spoke to a woman who has trained her Yorkshire terrier to use a selection of sound buttons. However, it doesn’t always work in her favor as her dog called Waffles isn’t shy when it comes to cursing when he doesn’t get his own way.
Leslie Trimble said: “One day I wondered what he would actually say if given the chance so created some buttons with swear words. He didn’t disappoint and quickly used the a****** button to express frustration when I said he couldn’t have more bacon.
“He now swears like a sailor and even his ginormous swear jar doesn’t deter him! His favorite is probably saying m********k in the voice of Samuel L. Jackson!”
NATALIA ANDREEVA/iStock / Getty Images Plus
So far, the viral clip from April 19 video has over 264,000 likes and many comments – from users saying what they think the dog is thinking.
“She said gimme 14,” said one user, and another wrote: “She said ‘human I’m using my words, now treat please!?'”
“She’s too cute, I would just give her all the hotdogs…” wrote a third user and a fourth pointed out: “She’s so joyful [with] anticipation.”
Newsweek reached out to @srv2277 for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
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