The internet has fallen head-over-heels for a demanding dachshund with an unusual way of making demands from her owner.
Four-year-old miniature dachshund Willow lives in Connecticut with her owner, Tracy Kuhrt, who describes her 10-pound pup as having “a bit of a Napoleon complex.”
She “has a tendency to bark at big dogs, though when they get close enough she will retreat and want mom to pick her up,” Kuhrt, 39, told Newsweek.
And what Willow wants, Willow gets—particularly as she has an adorable way of letting people know what she wants, as Kuhrt taught her to ring a little bell, like those found at a reception, when making her demands.
Kuhrt initially taught the intelligent pup to ring the bell when she wanted to go outside, as they initially struggled with toilet training when Willow joined the family in 2020.
“She is very reward-driven so after many cookies and only about 15 minutes she’d learned to ring the bell,” Kuht said. “I then put the bell in front of the door, gave her a treat when she rang it, and took her outside immediately.”
While the training was a success, it did come with unforeseen consequences, Kuhrt explained.
“She does have a tendency to ring the bell now, not only when she wants to go out, but when she wants a treat, wants attention, or wants to go out again right after we come inside. She loves the sunshine.”
Tracy Kuhrt taught her dog, Willow, to use the bell when she wants to go outside. She now uses it to make all sorts of demands.
TikTok @gingertray
Kuhrt’s TikTok page, @gingertray, is filled with videos of Willow, and one shared on August 22 has gone massively viral, with almost 600,000 likes and millions of views.
Captioned “this is my life,” the video shows Willow wandering up to a bell on the floor, making direct eye contact with the camera, and ringing the bell.
When Kuhrt only giggles in response, Willow hits it twice again, still making intense eye contact, before wandering closer to her owner and staring her down, until she asks: “You want to go out?”
TikTok users loved the clip, with one writing: “You appear to have a customer.”
“You are alive to serve,” another said, while one laughed at “the eye contact while pressing it.”
And another joked Willow was warning: “Don’t make me ring it again.”
Kuhrt, who works from home for a financial company, says Willow has “the best personality,” and has a special spot at home where she can be close to her while she works.
“But often I’ll hear her walking towards my office and I know she will start ringing the bell behind me while I work,” she said, adding: “The most challenging is when I am in a meeting.”
“This happens so much that I thought I’d post it one day and was shocked at the amount of views and comments it received.”
Kuhrt got Willow during the pandemic to help with her anxiety. She has now become a social media star with TikTok users loving her quirks.
TikTok @gingertray
Dachshunds like Willow are popular companions across the United States, and in 2023 made it sixth on the list of the American Kennel Club (AKC) most popular dog breeds.
Described by the AKC as vivacious, tireless and good as a watchdog, the dachshund is known to be very affectionate with its family.
Kuhrt took Willow into the family during the pandemic as an emotional support animal to help with her anxiety, as working from home provided “the perfect opportunity,” and says it was “the greatest decision I’ve ever made”.
“It’s been great to see how much people love Willybean,” Kuhrt said.
“I’m a huge advocate for mental well-being, so if Willow’s 10-second video can bring someone joy even for a brief moment that’s all that matters.”
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.
