A video of a dachshund puppy drinking water—but only under one very specific condition—has gone viral on TikTok, amassing almost 5 million views.
The clip, shared on an account dedicated to Willoughby, a tiny long‑haired dachshund (@willoughbys_way), shows the mottled‑coat pup waiting patiently until her German shepherd companion takes a sip. Only then does she dip her head in to drink. Text layered over the January 7 video reads: “[She] only want[s] water if big guy is drinking it,” a moment that has earned nearly 900,000 likes.
It isn’t unusual for young dogs to mimic their older housemates. The Ethology Institute states the behavior, known as allelomimetic behavior, refers to an animal’s tendency to mirror the actions of those around it.
Puppies begin showing this instinct as early as 5 weeks old. It is a natural part of how they learn and settle into a social group—and it works both ways.
A dog is constantly adjusting to the behavior of its companions, including the humans it lives with.
When animals live closely together, certain actions can become highly contagious.
Walking, running, sitting, lying down, getting up, sleeping, barking, and even howling can all prompt nearby dogs to follow suit, which is why they often appear so in sync.
TikTok Reacts
The comments section has been flooded with photos from other owners showing their own mismatched duos, with many confirming that their smaller dog also copies the bigger one.
One user noted that Willoughby had been caught on camera “sneaking in some kisses,” referring to the moment when she bypasses the water entirely to lick the German shepherd instead.
Another comment with more than 80,000 likes referenced a familiar line between friends at a bar: “i’ll have what he’s having.”
A third added: “She didn’t even want the water. She just wanted to get some licks in, [the] water was the decoy.”
The American Kennel Club explains a puppy’s licking is often a leftover instinct from early life, when wild pups lick their mother’s lips to signal that they want to be fed.
It is a submissive, eager gesture meant to win attention and care, and domestic puppies continue doing it even after they switch to solid food.
The behavior can also persist into adulthood, where it becomes a polite, deferential way of showing respect to a more dominant or admired dog.
That instinct helps explain why a puppy might lick a companion instead of focusing on the water bowl. Willoughby’s behavior might be less about thirst and more about seeking affection.
Newsweek reached out to @willoughbys_way for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.