Introduction
In recent months, videos of dogs dancing or “bopping” along to catchy pop music have exploded in popularity on TikTok. Two white Pomeranian dogs named Barbie and Barnie have gone especially viral, garnering millions of views for clips of them bobbing their heads and “dancing” on their hind legs to songs like “Forever Young” by Alphaville. The adorable phenomenon seems to have kicked off around November 2022, when the first dancing dog videos were posted and quickly amassed a following. Now, accounts dedicated to Barbie, Barnie and other dancing canines have accumulated hundreds of thousands or even millions of fans. The lighthearted clips clearly tap into a universal soft spot for cute, fun-loving dogs just being dogs. For many, the videos provide a dose of joy and comic relief during stressful times. While the reasons behind the specific dance moves remain a mystery, the viral craze demonstrates yet again the power of dogs to connect with humans through playful antics.
Origin of the Trend
The dancing dogs trend on TikTok originated in 2020 with popular TikToker @lobalobita, who started posting short videos of her two Pomeranian dogs bouncing and spinning happily to upbeat music. According to an article published on Reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/WhatsWrongWithYourDog/comments/xndrqw/dancing_dog/), @lobalobita first trained her dogs to “dance” by having them spin in circles for treats. She then started filming them dancing to trending audio clips on TikTok.
One of her early dancing dog videos from August 2020 gained over 6 million likes and kickstarted the viral trend of users dressing up their own dogs in costumes and filming them dancing. @lobalobita’s Pomeranians especially seem to love dancing to the remixed “Barbie Girl” song from the Barbie and the Diamond Castle movie (https://www.intheknow.com/post/barbie-dogs-dancing-meme-ice-spice-tiktok/). The cute dancing dog videos appeal to TikTok users and often go viral, making dancing dogs an ongoing trend.
Why Dogs Can Dance to Music
Research has shown that dogs do have a sense of rhythm and can feel musical beats just like humans. According to a 2010 study, dogs are able to perceive rhythm visually. In the study, dogs were monitored while listening to music with a metronome beat. The dogs moved their heads in time with the beat, indicating they could detect the rhythm. This suggests dogs may have some of the same neural pathways for processing music as humans.
Other studies have also demonstrated dogs can detect differences in rhythm, as well as differences in pitch. While dogs may not process music the same as humans neurologically, they still derive pleasure from it and their instinct is to move their bodies to the beat. The research confirms what many dog owners observe – when a catchy tune comes on, dogs will start bouncing and twirling around the room.
Training the Dogs
The owners of the dancing dogs on TikTok use positive reinforcement techniques to train their pets. This involves using treats and praise to reward the dog when it performs the desired behavior. According to dog training experts, the key is to break down tricks into small, manageable steps and teach each part individually.
To train a dog to dance, owners often start by capturing the dog’s natural movements and putting them on cue. For example, when the dog play bows or spins in a circle, the owner will say a command like “bow” or “spin” and reward the dog. The dog learns to associate the command with the action.
More complex moves are built up gradually. The dog may first learn to lift each paw on cue. These can then be chained together into steps and set to music. Other common dancing dog tricks include head bobs, twirls, jumps and rolls. Consistent daily training sessions of 5-10 minutes are recommended.
Some owners use targets like props or their hands to lure the dog into position. Others shape the behavior by rewarding approximations until the full move is achieved. But always giving praise, pets and high-value treats keeps the dog engaged and motivated to dance.
While some dogs have natural dance ability, virtually any breed can learn choreography with time, patience and positive methods. The light-hearted dancing dog videos bring joy to millions on TikTok.
[Source: How to Train A Dog to Dance video on Tiktok]
Most Popular Dancing Dog Accounts
A few dancing dog accounts really took off in popularity and helped fuel the trend. Two of the most popular dancing dog accounts on TikTok are @michaelbubble and @vivaan_the_corgi.
The account @michaelbubble features a friendly Golden Retriever named Michael who enthusiastically dances to upbeat songs. His signature move is bouncing his front paws up and down to the beat. Michael’s happy personality and funky dance moves have earned him over 5 million followers on TikTok. Many viewers find his videos heartwarming and uplifting.
Another wildly popular dancing dog is Vivaan the Corgi, featured on the account @vivaan_the_corgi. Vivaan energetically dances on his hind legs, often while wearing fun costumes. His owners have trained him to dance along to trends on TikTok. Vivaan now has over 4 million followers, likely due to his adorable fluffy appearance and playful charm.
Accounts like @michaelbubble and @vivaan_the_corgi helped popularize dancing dog videos on TikTok. Their loyal and growing fanbases demonstrate the mass appeal these types of videos have generated.
Criticism and Controversy
While many viewers find the dancing dogs charming and entertaining, the trend has also sparked some criticism and controversy around animal welfare. Some critics have raised concerns that the intensive training required to teach dogs these elaborate dance routines may be unethical or stressful for the animals.
For example, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals states that dogs should only be trained using positive reinforcement techniques that motivate and reward them, not coercive methods that may cause anxiety or fear. Yet it’s unclear from the TikTok videos how exactly the dogs were trained to dance on their hind legs and do coordinated moves.
According to veterinary behaviorist Dr. Katherine Houpt, standing upright like this is an unnatural posture for dogs that they would not choose to do on their own. Prolonged standing on hind legs could potentially lead to joint, limb or spinal injuries over time if not done carefully and in moderation.
Some animal rights groups like PETA have called for more transparency from the owners of these dancing dogs to demonstrate that proper animal welfare protocols were followed during training. They recommend that social media platforms add warnings about potentially problematic training methods used behind the scenes.
While dancing dog videos continue to proliferate on TikTok, the controversy highlights the need for caution about what we ask of animals for our own entertainment. There are calls for creators to be more thoughtful regarding animal welfare when producing this kind of viral pet content.
Impact on Dog Adoption
The popularity of dancing dog videos on TikTok has led to an increased interest in adopting the breeds featured, especially shelter dogs. As videos of adopted dogs dancing joyfully in their new homes went viral, people were inspired to provide rescued dogs with loving homes. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), shelters across the country reported a surge in adoption applications and inquiries after dancing dog videos trended on TikTok.
One of the most popular dancing dog stars is Brody (@thedodousa), a 3-year-old Australian cattle dog mix adopted from a shelter. The breed saw a spike in interest after Brody’s videos charmed TikTok users. Shelters specializing in cattle dog adoptions, like Austin Pets Alive! in Texas, noted an uptick in applications for the energetic breed. Brody’s viral videos helped showcase the playful, trainable nature of shelter dogs waiting for their forever homes.
Dancing Dog Content Expansion
The dancing dogs trend quickly expanded beyond just TikTok to other platforms like Instagram and YouTube. Dog owners started posting more choreographed dances with their pets across multiple channels to reach a wider audience. Accounts like Doug the Pug and Maya the Samoyed gained millions of followers as their dance videos went viral across apps.
Seeing the popularity of dancing dog content, many dog owners began actively training their pets to dance or follow simple choreography. They used treats and positive reinforcement to get dogs to hop, twirl, spin, and move to the beat. The most popular dancing dog accounts post new choreography regularly to keep their content fresh and engaging.
Dancing with dogs has expanded into a full social media phenomenon, with popular songs being choreographed specifically for dogs to perform. Brand sponsorships, media appearances, and even full dances shows have emerged from the initial TikTok trend. What started as silly clips of dogs bouncing to music has expanded into a booming subculture in the influencer space.
The Appeal of Dancing Dogs
Dancing dogs have become incredibly popular on TikTok, amassing millions of views and fans. But what exactly is behind the appeal of watching dogs dance to music? There are several factors that explain why these videos strike a chord with so many viewers.
Firstly, dancing dogs are simply adorable and heartwarming to watch. Their excitement and enthusiasm as they hop around and spin in circles makes for endearing viewing. There is an innocence and joy to their movements that puts a smile on people’s faces. Watching the dogs have fun dancing makes for a mood-boosting divertissement.
Additionally, people love seeing dogs exhibit their intelligence and skills. The ability for dogs to learn choreographed routines and dance in sync to the beat demonstrates how smart and trainable they are. It is impressive to watch a complex cognitive and physical task being performed so enthusiastically. Viewers likely feel a sense of pride in the dancing dogs.
The novelty factor also comes into play. Seeing dogs dance in such an anthropomorphic way is still relatively new and unusual. The funny “human” behavior captures people’s attention and imagination. Moreover, each dog has its own adorable quirks and personality that shine through in their dance style.
In summary, dancing dog videos are appealing because they showcase the dogs’ innate joyfulness and ability to learn entertaining skills. Their antics put a smile on viewers’ faces and reinforce the loving bond between humans and their canine companions.
The Future of Dancing Dogs
The dancing dog trend on TikTok took off in popularity in 2020 and 2021, leaving many wondering if it will continue to be a popular trend in the years to come or if it is just a passing fad.
Some analysts predict the dancing dog videos will fade in popularity over time as users look for the next viral trend. Social media tends to go through cycles where certain types of videos become very popular for a period before eventually dropping off. Only a few viral trends have real staying power.
However, the fact that dogs are at the center of this trend may give it more longevity. Videos featuring cute dogs tend to consistently get high engagement across social platforms. People love seeing dogs do amusing things, so dancing dog videos may have an advantage over other viral trends that are centered around humans.
The accounts that have built large followings around dancing dogs will likely try to adapt and expand their content to keep audiences interested. Expect to see dancing dog owners trying new dance styles, costumes, props and music to keep their content fresh. Expanding into making longer videos, collaborating with other pet influencers, and branching out into other social platforms could also help extend the lifespan of the trend.
While it’s impossible to predict social media trends with certainty, the dancing dog phenomenon has already far surpassed many other viral fads in popularity and user engagement. For now, the tail-wagging TikTok dogs show no signs of slowing down their infectious dance routines anytime soon.