Owner Takes Dog to Ocean—Internet Can't Cope With His Confused Response

Newsweek

16-05-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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A 1-year-old dog who doesn't appear to have any understanding of how water works has delighted the internet with his attempts to lie down in the ocean.
Dogs often enjoy splashing around in water, whether that's going for a paddle in the sea, or just dipping their paws in a pool. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for Zeppelin, the Doberman and Tibetan terrier mix.
Zeppelin's owner shared a hilarious video on TikTok (@emyilyyy) of the pup trying his hardest to lie down in the sea. As he was in shallow water, his body was only half covered by the water, but what he really struggled to comprehend was why he couldn't rest his head.
The dog repeatedly attempted to lay his head on the water's surface, growing increasingly confused when it kept falling deeper into the water instead.
A stock image of a spaniel covered in water outside.
A stock image of a spaniel covered in water outside.Poor Zeppelin's bewilderment has certainly entertained social media users, as the hilarious video has generated more than 1.4 million views and over 195,100 likes on TikTok at the time of writing.
Newsweek has contacted @emyilyyy via Instagram for comment. We could not verify the details of the video.
The caption alongside the video adds: "You can see how upset he's getting because he can't do it."
Some dog breeds are natural in the water and make very capable swimmers from the start, but they aren't all that confident. It's important to think about a dog's traditional purpose, according to The American Kennel Club (AKC), as some breeds were born to swim and fulfil a role. For example, the Labrador Retriever was bred in order to collect water birds for a hunter, so they're no strangers to getting wet.
Not all dogs are natural born swimmers who will immediately know what to do when they reach the water. Certain breeds, such as short-legged or long-bodies ones, can physically struggle to swim because of their weight distribution.
Indeed, this is why dog and cat trainer Ivan Petersel recommends introducing animals to new things "in baby steps." Humans can figure things out through logic, but Petersel explained to Newsweek that dogs have to rely on "smell, movement, and instinct."
"It's a good idea to get dogs used to things in increments versus just throwing them into a situation and letting them figure it out," Petersel said. "Teaching them body awareness is critical. It will help them to show them how their body moves differently in water versus on land."
Going in and out of the water can be useful to show the contrast between land and water. Splashing gently or swirling the water can also show them how water moves differently, according to Petersel.
If trying to help a dog become accustomed to the water, owners should start in shallow water and let them get used to simply having wet feet. Encourage gradual movement towards deeper water, all the while using plenty of positive reinforcement. Importantly, the AKC says that if a dog seems overwhelmed, they should return to the shallow water or dry land to calm down.
It appears that Zeppelin still has a way to go before being able to enjoy a dip in the ocean. In the meantime, his attempts to lay down in the water have left internet users in stitches, leading to more than 460 comments on the viral TikTok post already.
One comment reads: "Someone go tell water to make an exception!"
Another TikTok user wrote: "Girl, go hold it up for him."
Another person joked: "He can do whatever he wants, leave him alone."
While one commenter added: "Get him his own floating mattress or something please."
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