A dog’s clever routine during his owner’s virtual meetings has captured the hearts of TikTok viewers, after a video revealed the unexpected habit he picked up—all thanks to a little positive reinforcement.
The clip, posted by Nicole (@nicolealuce), shows her brown canine sitting patiently under her desk, gently nudging her as she speaks on a work call. The text layered over the video explains the situation: she “accidentally taught my dog that he gets a treat for being a good boy” during her online work calls, the text continues, “and now this is him every time I get on a call.”
More than 307,000 people have watched the moment, and over 92,000 have liked it, amused by the dog’s polite but persistent request for payment.
Are Your Dog’s Treats Piling Up?
It is tempting to give in to those puppy‑dog eyes, but, just like people, canines can gain weight quickly—so it remains important for owners to keep an eye on how many calories their pets are actually consuming.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) notes that figuring out how many treats a dog can safely have isn’t as simple as applying a universal number. Unlike humans—who often use a 2,000‑calorie benchmark—canines vary dramatically in size, so owners need to know their pet’s specific daily caloric needs.
Dog food labels list calories in kcals, but in pet nutrition, this is simply another word for calories. If a bag lists 364 kcal per cup, that means 364 calories per cup. When calorie information isn’t provided, owners may need to contact the manufacturer or ask their veterinarian for guidance.
TikTok Reacts
The comments section lit up with stories from dog owners who have found themselves in similar situations.
One viewer joked about the pup’s “quiet negotiation tactics,” while another admitted they accidentally taught their dog to bark at the door for treats—even when no one is there.
Others shared tales of canine cleverness: “I made the mistake of putting a second treat in my pocket…now I get frisked every time I walk through the door,” said a third user.
A fourth wrote: “Both of my dogs immediately wake up every time they hear the call‑ending sound.”
The viral moment has clearly struck a chord with pet owners who know all too well how quickly dogs learn—and how hard it is to say no to a very good boy waiting patiently under the desk.
Newsweek reached out to @nicolealuce for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.