Internet Can Relate as Dog's First Beach Visit Doesn't Go as Planned

A video of a dog's unexpected reaction on his first day out on a beach has gone viral on TikTok, with users on the platform sharing similar experiences they've had with their own pups.

The clip, which has over 785,000 views at the time of writing, was posted on August 6 by Lena Blumberg (@lenablumberg1), who is a first grade teacher based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The footage was captured at Fernandina Beach on Florida's Amelia Island.

A caption shared with the clip says: "We really thought he was about to have the best day of his life." The video shows a man walking a dog on a leash along a sandy beach coast, with the dog hesitant to go into the water.

While some pups can't seem to get enough time in a pool, "not every dog is a water baby," explains the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), a veterinary charity based in the United Kingdom.

Don't assume that your pup can swim. "If your dog isn't leaping in the water at the first chance, it may be time for some swimming lessons," says the VCA, one of North America's largest animal hospital chains.

You should also never force your dog to go swimming. VCA advises on its website that your pup "may be avoiding the water because they are tired or in pain and just aren't up for the exercise."

Swimming in water may be a great form of exercise for your dog. However, certain breeds, including dogs with short legs like Corgis or ones with short noses such as pugs, will find swimming to be hard work.

Canines should never be left unsupervised in the water. "Even a regular swimmer can get into trouble if they encounter strong currents or can't figure out how to exit a pool," the VCA warns.

Some swimming areas are much safer for dogs than others. These include lakes, dog-friendly beaches, slow-moving rivers as well as private swimming pools or paddling pools, the PDSA says.

'Still Learning'

A message overlaid on the latest TikTok viral clip reads: "Our dog's first ever beach day didn't go as planned..."

The footage shows the dog standing in the sand, while the man is seen crouched over the pup, with his hands on the dog's body.

A message overlaid on the video reads: "Idk [I don't know] about this dad" as the waves crash in, approaching the dog's feet. The canine is seen stepping backwards, while the man appears to hold him in place.

In a later comment, the original poster said: "He was never forced into the water, we're just both still learning."

The man and the dog are later seen walking along the coast again. The canine is seen jumping away from the waves, as they nearly touch his feet again. A note on the video says, "Oops, almost got me."

The pup steps backwards from the waves as another note across the clip reads: "Not today! Not today!" before the video ends.

'Freaked Out'

Several TikTok users could relate to the latest viral clip, with some sharing similar experiences they've had with their own dogs.

DeepThought wrote the pup must have been saying: "Dad! Are you sure this water's sanitary? It looks questionable to me!"

User chrisriffey3 wrote: "He's right! The ocean is scary! There's sharks out there."

Fur_eversingle89 commented: "My German Shepard Zira when I took her to the beach, she was shaking!! Anxiety way up. I did not stay at the beach long that day."

Becca Cuniff shared: "My dog hates the ocean... the waves freak her out lol

User ceecee4578 added: "I took my dog to a beach for her first time she freaked out. 3 mos and 6 trips later I'd have to fight her to get her back in the car."

User myrissarivera wrote: "my husky was the same way. just took a lot of patience and quite a few trips to the beach lol. the waves can still catch her off guard lol."

Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified.

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