Teaching a dog a new trick sounds simple until you’re actually doing it. What seems clear in your head somehow turns into total confusion for your pup, even with treats involved. The result is usually a mix of frustration, laughter, and very questionable problem-solving from your dog. That exact moment unfolds in a viral video of a dog being taught how to “grumble.” The video, uploaded by user @tillyzooms, features Tilly, an Australian Kelpie, as she attempts to learn a new trick called “grumble.” According to the text overlay on the clip, her owner jokes that “3 quarters of her brain has no clue what I’m asking for.”
Dog clueless when owner teaches her to ‘grumble’
In the footage, Tilly’s owner repeatedly says the word “grumbles” while holding a treat to guide her dog toward the desired behavior. At first, Tilly seems far more interested in the snack than the lesson. She leans forward, trying to grab the treat, only to be gently stopped each time until she responds correctly. Despite the encouragement, confusion is clearly written on her face as she cycles through familiar behaviors, hoping one of them will earn her the reward.
After several attempts, Tilly begins to vocalize softly, producing slow, tentative barks as if testing different sounds. Eventually, Tilly lets out a low grumble, prompting immediate praise and the long-awaited treat. The moment feels like a small victory for both the dog and her trainer.
To see if the lesson has truly sunk in, the owner repeats the command once more. This time, however, Tilly appears unsure again and chooses to lie down instead. It’s as if she opted out of the mental effort altogether.
Viewers in the comments found the interaction highly relatable. One person joked that Tilly was thinking, “I’ll just sit here and look pretty, eventually I’ll get what I want.” Others shared similar experiences with their own dogs. One noted that impatience or treat obsession often leads pets to try every trick they know rather than learning a new one. Several commenters humorously suggested that dogs seem to “share one brain cell,” especially when food is involved.
