May 4, 2026, 2:02 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Many videos on the internet seem funny at first glance: People suddenly drop to the ground, and their dogs react with confusion, concern, or sometimes not at all. But what is really behind this trend? Do dogs understand that it’s all just pretend, or do they think it’s a real emergency? And what consequences can such behavior have for the animals? PETBOOK spoke with dog trainer Katharina Marioth about it.
“Stress Simulation for Clicks”
Dog trainer Katharina Marioth views the trend critically. Such stagings are “appalling,” she says, because they deliberately put dogs in a stressful situation solely for attention on social media. She emphasizes that this is not just a phenomenon with dogs, but other animals are affected as well. She fundamentally rejects such “stress simulation for clicks.”
There are indeed significant differences between a real emergency and a feigned fainting. Marioth explains that in a simulation, important physical signals are missing: Neither stress hormones are released, nor do heart rate or breathing change as they would in a real emergency.
Dogs are extremely sensitive observers and know their caregivers well. They notice the slightest changes in facial expressions, breathing, and physical tension. In a real danger situation, “a lot happens” in the human body, which is clearly perceptible to the dog.
Dog Tries to Interpret Behavior
That’s why many dogs in the videos don’t react with genuine concern but rather show typical calming or de-stressing signals. They nudge their owners, go into a playful bow, or simply appear confused.
For Marioth, the behavior is reminiscent of everyday situations where dogs are confronted with something entirely new. For example, if someone suddenly does yoga exercises in the living room, the reaction is often similar: The dog doesn’t recognize the behavior and tries to interpret it.
Why Pretend to Faint in Front of Dogs at All?
Nevertheless, there are also animals that react much more strongly to such scenes. This often has to do with their individual experiences. It is particularly problematic for dogs that have already had stressful experiences, such as through a deceased previous owner or health emergencies in their environment.
In such cases, the staged situation can trigger memories, which is “really mean” for the animals, says Marioth. She fundamentally questions why owners conduct such tests at all. If the bond between human and dog is intact, the dog will react appropriately in a real situation anyway–there’s no need to artificially test it.
These Breeds Have Trouble Interpreting the Situation
Breed-specific differences also play a role. According to Marioth, short-nosed dogs, such as bulldog-like breeds, have difficulty correctly interpreting the situation because they take in less information through their sense of smell. Additionally, more nervous or skittish dogs react more sensitively to such unusual stimuli.
She cites Chihuahuas as an example, which are often more easily overwhelmed. So-called primitive dogs like Huskies, Akita Inus, or Shiba Inus also sometimes have trouble clearly interpreting human facial expressions, which can further increase uncertainty.
Many Viral Trends on Social Media Harm Dogs
Trainer on AI in Dog Training: “Technology Doesn’t Replace Intuition”
Fainting in Front of Dogs? Why the Trend Can Also Be Dangerous
In the worst case, the trend can even become dangerous–not just for the dog, but also for the person. Marioth points out that dogs with negative past experiences, such as through violence or highly frightening situations, can also react aggressively in such moments.
A sudden movement like collapsing can trigger a startle response that manifests as defensive behavior. Therefore, it’s important to consider the individual history of one’s own dog instead of taking risks for attention online.
Conclusion: It’s Unnecessary Stress for the Dogs
For the dog trainer, the central question remains unanswered: Why expose your animal to such a situation at all? For her, the trend has nothing to do with meaningful activity or training.
It’s different with specially trained assistance dogs, such as guide dogs or diabetic alert dogs. They learn over a long period, often one to two years, to recognize certain physical states and respond appropriately. In this context, recognizing emergencies is sensible and intended. The staged scenes from social networks, however, are far from that–and for the dogs, they are primarily one thing: unnecessary stress.
You can watch the full interview with Katharina Marioth in the video.
About the Author
Katharina Marioth is the founder of the brand Stadthundetraining and the KEML principle. She is an IHK- and government-certified dog trainer and behavioral assessor for dangerous dogs in the state of Berlin. In her daily business, she works closely with veterinarians, scientists, and other specialists on the subject of dogs. With her knowledge and skills, she secured the title of Dog Trainer of the Year 2023 in the Sat.1 show “The Dog Trainer Champion.”