What is the “can I pet that dog” meme?
The meme features a child repeatedly asking to pet a dog in a cute voice. Internet Anthropology says, "The original audio from the “Can I pet that dawg?” meme comes from a young Texas boy with an adorable southern accent asking his parents if he can pet their family dog. As his excitement builds, he repeats the phrase with increasingly silly emphasis.” “Can I pet that dog?” is often used as a viral sound on TikTok and other social media platforms. People use it in their own videos of a child or adult approaching a dog (usually a large dog, or even a fake one!). Here are some examples: TikTok creator @danthebigreddog posted a video of a dog painted red to resemble Clifford the Big Red Dog, with the audio playing over the clip. TikTok creator @anishawaters5 posted a video of two people standing near (but not too near) a bear in the forest and lip-syncing to the “can I pet that dog” audio. The TikTok account of the @leecountysheriffsoffice posted a video of two officers saying “no” (via the audio) to people petting their K-9 police dogs. On the last “can I pet that dog” in the sound, we see another dog, and the police officer answers that this dog can be pet because he’s the Animal Cruelty Task Force's “spokes-dog.” Meet the wikiHow Expert Internet Anthropology is a Cultural Anthropology Expert and Content Creator that discusses pop culture phenomena and social media trends. Carrera Kurnik, a cultural anthropologist, is the expert behind Internet Anthropology.
What is the original “can I pet that dog” video?
The original video was posted by TikTok user @kayholleyy. Kayla Holley posted the video of her then-6-year-old son asking to “pet that dog” when he was supposed to be getting ready for bed. “That dog” in question was the family’s recently rescued Yorkie named Oliver. Hoping to spend more time with Oliver rather than sticking to his bedtime, Holley’s son repeatedly asked her, “Can I pet that dog?” to which she replied, “No.” Holley posted the hilarious clip on TikTok, and the rest is history! However, there’s another video that went very viral on social media, and it’s arguably more well-known than the original “can I pet that dog” video. According to Internet Anthropology, “In other contexts, the meme is remixed over videos of animals that are not safe to pet—like a viral clip of a girl reaching out to pet a wild black bear. Here, the humor comes from the contrast: the innocent logic of a child expecting all animals to be as friendly as dogs, set against the reality of a dangerous apex predator.”
Why is the “can I pet that dog” meme so popular?
Many people think the meme is cute and funny. Internet Anthropology says, “The meme resonates because it captures a simple, lighthearted joy: the childlike delight of petting a friendly animal. For kids (especially in tactile stages of development) domesticated pets are often their first experience of affectionate, reciprocal contact with another being.” Internet Anthropology continues, “The phrase connects to one of life's uncomplicated pleasures: Humans like petting dogs and dogs (for the most part) like being pet. That purity makes the phrase funny and endearing, and even as adults, we connect with it because petting dogs remains a joyful experience.” On their own, the original video and sound are pretty funny and adorable. The combination of the child’s (relatable) feeling of desperately wanting to pet with their intense and charmingly-accented verbal pleas is highly amusing, entertaining, and endearing. So, it’s no wonder that the original video took off!
Other Funny Meme Sounds & Their Meanings
When it comes to TikTok, there’s no shortage of hilarious sounds, audios, and memes to learn about and share! Here are a few of our favorite TikTok sounds (like “can I pet that dawg”) that’ve become inescapable across social media: "My Shayla" – Used to talk about something cute, like a pet, animal, or partner. "Nothing Beats a Jet2 Holiday" – Used to showcase funny vacation fails or disasters. "Is Not Clocking to You" – Used to poke fun at Justin Bieber’s misuse of AAVE. "Bombastic Side Eye" – Used to react to uncomfortable or cringey situations. "Emotional Damage" – Used to humorously react to things that are sad, traumatic, or insulting.
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