A senior dog's unique way of climbing stairs has left the internet in hysterics.
The TikTok video of 9-year-old Diego walking from one side of each step to the other before hopping up has garnered more than 964,000 views. Newsweek spoke with his owner, Justin Cubillos, 43, from Downers Grove, Illinois, about Diego's quirky technique, which he developed five years ago.
"When we first moved to our house from a condo, he would bark at the bottom of the stairs until we carried him up," Cubillos said. "Then he figured out this technique shortly after and has done it ever since."
Cubillos, who works in human resources, explained that Diego, a Chiweenie (Chihuahua-Dachshund mix), can walk down the stairs normally.
"The stairs are his weakness," he said, adding that Diego was the runt of his litter, weighing just 2.5 pounds when adopted along with his sister Penny.
"The shelter said they had to hand-feed him because his brothers would pick on him. So, he's always had 'little dog syndrome,' only really likes his family, and is very protective of Penny."
What is little dog syndrome?
We've all come across a small dog who doesn't stop yapping, yet the larger breeds seem to act differently.
The American Kennel Club highlighted a study led by Christine Arhant from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna. The research team surveyed 1,276 dog owners to explore behavioral differences between small (less than 44 pounds) and large dogs. Results showed that small dogs were generally less obedient, more excitable and more anxious than larger dogs. Researchers found the traits were influenced more by owner behavior than by inherent size-based factors.
The key findings included:
- Inconsistent Training: Owners of small dogs often displayed inconsistent training methods, which correlated with lower obedience. Consistency in commands and rules was linked to better behavior across all dog sizes.
- Lack of Shared Activities: Small dogs received less time in shared activities like training or play, which contributed to their lower obedience levels.
- Punishment: Punitive methods (e.g., leash jerks, scolding) led to increased anxiety and aggression, especially in small dogs.
The researchers recommend that owners of small dogs can improve their pets' behavior by maintaining consistent training, engaging in shared activities, and avoiding punishment. This advice would be particularly relevant for cases where small dogs react aggressively or anxiously in public settings.
TikTok reacts
The video of Diego has almost 100,000 likes and 2,780 comments.
One user compared it to a relatable scenario, saying: "when there's no one in line at the ticket counter but you still have to go through all the ropes."
"Hit his 10,000 steps before his first morning nap!" said another user, while a third joked: "He's taking the long way up."
"He's been playing too much Donkey Kong," pointed out a fourth user.
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.
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