Laughter at How Owner Tricks Fussy Dachshund Into Eating Dinner

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A social media video of a dachshund refusing to eat until his owner has sprinkled a secret ingredient into his bowl has left the internet in hysterics.

The viral video, which has been viewed more than 1.4 million times since it was first shared to TikTok on November 24, introduced TikTokers to Loki the sausage dog and his fussy eating habits.

Loki's owner, who goes by @SophieLouise571 on TikTok, shared that the dachshund simply "refuses to eat" until she's placed the bowl in the oven and sprinkled a "little bit of air" into it through a closed salt shaker.

His owner's action of placing the bowl into the switched off oven and sprinkling something, even if it's actually nothing, into it seems to trick Loki into thinking that tasty treats have been added to his meal. The dog was then filmed enjoying his "upgraded" meal.

The funny clip was set against Reba McEntire's "I'm A Survivor," which has been backing plenty of trending videos on TikTok lately.

"Okay but how did you find out this is how he wanted his food," one user asked @SophieLouise571 in the post's comments section.

The dog's owner responded: "He sits and watches everyone make their dinner so I thought I'd pretend to make his the same way and it worked."

The post had been captioned: "Makes all the difference."

The dapple dachshund and his owner are based in the United Kingdom.

Why Should You Adopt a Dachshund?

Dachshunds, commonly called sausage dogs or wiener dogs, are a popular breed in the U.S. and Europe. Originating in Germany, they were bred to chase rabbits and badgers down tunnels, hence the name, which means "badger hound." They are known to be quite clingy, with a penchant for sitting on their owner's laps.

Dachshunds are highly intelligent while also being loyal and devoted companions, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). Dachshunds are strong-willed and smart too, which can make them more difficult to train than easier-going breeds such as golden retrievers.

Dog
A file image of a dachshund eating from its bowl. A video of an owner showing how they entice their dachshund to eat has stunned viewers online. Getty Images

"Dachshunds were bred to be an independent hunter of dangerous prey," says the AKC on its website. "They can be brave to the point of rashness, and a bit stubborn, but their endearing nature and unique look has won millions of hearts the world over."

Despite their stubborn and headstrong nature, sausage dogs form extremely close bonds with their owners and tend to latch on to one particular member of their household over others.

What Do the Comments Say?

Since it was shared to the social media platform on November 24 by @SophieLouise571, the TikTok post has been liked by over 198,000 users and commented on more than 500 times.

"Imagine explaining this to a dog sitter," one user wrote.

Another user added: "He just wants to see some effort."

The TikTok post can be seen here.

Newsweek reached out to @SophieLouise571 for comment via TikTok.

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.

About the writer

Melissa Fleur Afshar is a Newsweek reporter based in London, United Kingdom.

Her current focus is on trending life stories and human-interest features on a variety of topics ranging from relationships, pets, and personal finances to health, work, travel, and family dynamics. She has covered current affairs, social issues, and lifestyle stories extensively.

Melissa joined Newsweek in 2023 from Global's LBC and had previously worked at financial news publication WatersTechnology, tmrw Magazine, The Times and The Sunday Times, Greater London-based radio broadcaster Insanity Radio, and alongside other journalists or producers for research purposes. Since joining Newsweek, Melissa has been especially focused on covering under-reported women's health and social issues, and has spent a large part of her time researching the physical and mental impact of both the contraceptive pill and abusive relationships.

Prior to that, Melissa had been specialized in reporting on financial technology and data news, political news, and current affairs. She has covered data management news from industry giants like Bloomberg and Symphony, alongside the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the U.K economy's 2022-pound sterling crash, multiple National Health Service (NHS) strikes, and the Mahsa Amini protests in Iran.

A show that she produced and presented at the Greater London-based community radio station, Insanity Radio, was awarded 'Best Topical News Show' and the runner up award for 'Best New Radio Show' on the network.

She is a graduate in MA History from Royal Holloway, University of London.

Languages: English, Persian.

You can get in touch with Melissa by emailing m.afshar@newsweek.com.

You can follow her on X or Instagram at @melissafleura.


Melissa Fleur Afshar is a Newsweek reporter based in London, United Kingdom.

Her current focus is on trending life stories and ... Read more