Dog Has Hilariously Relatable Reaction to Being Told She’s on a Diet

A woman who has gone viral for showing how her dog is fighting her diet every step of the way told Newsweek “treats seem to have the better of her”.

Linda Robinson lives in Dublin, Ireland, with her 10-year-old cockapoo, Bella, a beloved family pet who it appears has her owner wrapped around her little finger—or, in this case, paw.

“Myself and my sister got her as a puppy and have treated her as a little sister from day one,” Robinson told Newsweek, adding that the dog is “spoiled rotten”.

“She goes to each person as they enter the kitchen and cries, so we assume she is starving when she sits at the treat press putting on her puppy dog eyes,” she said. “Unfortunately we have all fallen for those puppy dog eyes, which has resulted in Bella needing to lose some weight.”

A recent video shared to Robison’s TikTok account @lindarobinson205 showing Bella’s penchant for treats has proved popular since being shared on November 19, boasting over 130,000 views and dozens of comments.

The clip shows Bella hopping down from her usual seat at the kitchen table and walking straight over to a cupboard where the family keeps her special dog treats.

But, as she sits expectantly by the cupboard and gives pleading puppy eyes to the camera, her owner tells her sternly, “No, you’re not allowed. You’re on a diet.”

Bella fights back as best she can, whimpering and even stamping her paws in a fantastic impression of a toddler having a tantrum.

Robinson again warns her off, firmly telling her no, but Bella continues whimpering, stamping her feet, and—for good measure—licking her lips.

By the end of the video, Robinson had not given in, but she told Newsweek, “I still have Bella on her diet but sometimes give in when she’s crying for treats.”

She described her pet as being “like a little human—she sits at the kitchen table, has her own chair and is spoiled rotten.”

TikTok users instantly fell in love with the pup, one commenting with a laughing emoji, “Not her stamping her paws.”

“I can’t cope,” another said. “The tantrum ha!”

And others found it relatable, with one writing, “How I as a human feel on a diet also.”

Office administrator Robinson praised Bella as a “fun, loving, bubbly dog,” but admitted exercise is not her forte. She said, “Once I mention the word ‘walk’ when it’s cold or raining outside, she will run and hide under the kitchen table.”

“As much as we love keeping her happy and giving her all the treats she loves and deserves, we have stuck to cutting them down and we are really starting to see some good results,” Robinson went on.

“Bella is not too happy about this and has now left the family room to sit in the kitchen in protest some nights—but it’s what’s best for her.”

Obesity in dogs is a common issue. In the United States, an estimated 56 percent of dogs are overweight, according to a report from the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Owners should take care that treats make up no more than 10 percent of a dog’s daily calorie intake and vets suggest using vegetables and fruits, such as carrots, bananas or celery, as a replacement low-calorie treat.

While increased exercise will also help with a dog’s weight, the AKC wrote in their publication that weight loss for dogs comes mostly from their diet, accounting for 60 to 70 percent, while exercise accounts for between 30 to 40 percent.

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [email protected] with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.