A woman has captured the moment her boyfriend’s dog communicated with her—using nothing but his eyes.
The TikTok clip, shared by Petrine Asana (@petrinejensen), quickly went viral, earning over 719,000 views and more than 70,000 likes.
The January 3 post shows a brown and white dog sitting in a bedroom and refusing to move. He then locks eyes with Asana before glancing toward something on the table. He continues to look at the table and then Asana until she finally gets the hint.
“He had gotten treats as Christmas gifts,” reads the text layered over the moment she picks up a packet.
The caption, “[I] realized he talks with his eyes,” resonates with many dog owners, who have commented to say their furry friend does the same thing.
According to a survey by Pet Munchies and K9 Magazine, cited by Metro in 2019, dogs rely heavily on eye contact to communicate with humans—often more than barking or whining. Out of 1,100 dog owners interviewed, 58 percent said their dogs use a look to signal what they want, whether it’s food, attention, or playtime.
If ignored, this silent plea can escalate to a nose nudge. Other common tactics include standing by the door (39 percent) or pacing in circles (22 percent) to get their point across.
TikTok Reacts
“That’s a smart dog,” praised one user. “[He] won’t bark, [in case] he gets into trouble … but will silently get the new person to do stuff the others won’t.”
Asana told another user: “He is always around me [be]cause I am weak and give in every time.”
“They all talk like this with treats,” said another commenter. Asana replied: “He is usually a little dumb, [he] cannot follow commands but when it comes to treats it’s like he is a small baby human who just love food and playing.”
How Many Treats Can Your Dog Have?
While it’s hard to resist those puppy dog eyes, experts warn against overfeeding treats. The American Kennel Club (AKC) advises that snacks should make up no more than 10 percent of a dog’s daily calories, leaving the rest to a balanced diet.
Overindulging can lead to weight gain and nutritional gaps, so portion control is key. Think small, healthy bites instead of endless biscuits, and tailor treats to your dog’s size and activity level.
Newsweek previously spoke to Alyssa Ralph, dog behaviorist and nutritionist at Your Dog’s Club in Chester, England.
She said: “Obesity is the number one preventable health issue in American dogs today, often caused by giving excessive treats and not enough exercise. Chubby puppies, especially in larger breeds, may be more prone to develop certain medical conditions such as hip dysplasia.
“Store bought dog foods should have the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) seal of approval, meaning it has been found to be ‘complete and balanced’ for a particular life stage of a puppy or dog.”
Newsweek reached out to @petrinejensen for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.