Skip to main content

Viral video: Puppy piñata party goes adorably right

If your pup loves tug of war, they'll adore this dog piñata idea

Have you ever seen a dog open a gift? Most of the time, humans wrap gifts for dogs like they would for other people, and dogs aren’t quite sure what to make of it. It’s a box, maybe smells like something they want — but they’re totally unsure how to get inside.

Honestly? That’s kind of rude, pet parents. Luckily, one dog dad figured out a better way. He took what dogs already know how to do, instinctively, and used that to give his dog and at least one of its pals what they really want: tennis balls!

The viral video below shows a cleverly rigged piñata that only asks the dog (we’re guessing this pup is a standard black lab) to give a ball dangling from the bottom a tug. It’s a smart ploy: get the dog to use its instincts, and it’s rewarded with more of what it really wants.

After tugging on the ball, the piñata opens to reveal many more balls. After being stunned for a moment, the puppy and his pal (another lab?! Lucky!) each sniff around the room before grabbing a ball of their own to play with.

There’s nothing not to love about this video. Puppy parties, new tennis balls for playing fetch, dog friends, and happy parents. We hope somebody rigs something similar up for a terrier that’s a bit tougher to get into. We bet an American Staffordshire Terrier would just love that!

A chocolate lab plays a game of tug of war indoors.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Why dogs like tugging on things

Dogs like tugging because it’s something they do as puppies during play time. Many experts believe dogs play tug of war to establish trust.

Experts also believe dogs don’t treat humans much differently than other dogs. They may view us as leaders of their pack, but they want to interact with humans the same way they do other dogs. That’s why it’s important to play tug of war with your dog and encourage them to follow their instincts.

To that, these puppy parents are doing a great job. The dog obviously wants to tug, trusts his humans enough to tug on the ball his dog dad tells him to, and is rewarded with so many tennis balls.

But good luck around the holidays and on birthdays, pet parents. That pup may think every gift-wrapped item is full of tennis balls and rip packages open! Guess you’ll have to hide the gifts, moving forward. Small price to pay for the pure joy those puppies are experiencing, though.

Editors' Recommendations

Nate Swanner
Nate is General Manager for all not-Digital-Trends properties at DTMG, including The Manual, Digital Trends en Espanol…
7 dog training podcasts we’re obsessed with
Podcasts can help any pet parent with training their pooch
an Australian Cattle Dog wearing a pink bandana stands on the grass

There are times every pet parent feels as though they’re out of depth or coming up short in regards to their pet. Whether it’s a behavioral problem, a health concern, or simply how to find the right doggie day care, wouldn’t it be great to have an expert on speed dial to give you advice and reassure you that you're doing just fine?

Unless you happen to know an expert personally, podcasts are a great way to get this advice and reassurance. When it comes to dog training, podcasts feature a variety of experts who can help any pet parent, and there are enough podcasts to last a lifetime! Wondering which dog training podcasts to start with? Here are our favorite ones!

Read more
This video proves the dog pool is better than the dog park
Your pups could enjoy a dog pool day just like the ones in this video
A dog runs on a pool deck after a swim

If you're a pup parent, you've probably spent some time at the dog park, but have you ever given the dog pool a shot? As you might imagine, this takes the concept of the dog park and brings water into the equation. As this video proves, there's nothing cuter than watching a stream of pooches dive right into the water to play. It's truly a sight worth seeing.

This TikTok proves dog pool day can beat dog park day and is perfectly titled "Pool Day for the Pups." It opens on a shot of a big fenced-in pool with some buddies waiting excitedly outside. Once the gate is open, they pour in to start splashing in the water, swimming around, and, of course, barking madly. The welcoming setup even has some helpful mats on the edges to assist anyone with slippery feet getting in and out. A quick cut shows us another dog pool, this one indoors and filled with toys to help the happy games along. Again the furry friends make a mad dash in to play. It's clear that every single pup in the video is living their best life.

Read more
Are tennis balls bad for dogs? Here’s what you want to know before your next game of fetch
You should be asking this crucial question
Jack Russel terrier on the beach with a tennis ball jumping

When you think about classic dog toys, tennis balls are sure to make the list. They’re a fun, cheap option that many pet parents can stock up on just as quickly as their dog goes through them, which is good news for pups who like to chew or fetch. Still -- despite the balls' everlasting popularity -- more and more dog owners have stopped to wonder: Are tennis balls bad for dogs?
It can be difficult to guarantee the safety of any pet product, so you should pay special attention to your pup while he's playing with anything you don’t completely trust. Better yet, you can even research the items your dog is playing with. This could, and perhaps should, include low-quality dog toys or any chew item not meant for canines -- including tennis balls. Here’s what you need to know.

Should dogs play with tennis balls? Pros and cons of these popular dog toys
Although there are many pros to playing with tennis balls (they're cheap, easy to find, etc.), they come with many risks you may not have considered. The team at Animal Dental Care and Oral Surgery — or Wellpets, as its site is named — has put together some helpful reminders about the silent dangers of tennis balls.

Read more