Man’s Best Friend? Don’t Do the Ice Bucket Challenge to Your Dog

Another TikTok trend has crossed the line—at least according to animal advocates.

The so-called “Bark Your Mind Challenge” – a viral trend where you dump a bucket of water on your unsuspecting dog – is drawing criticism online for being more cruel than clever.

The setup is nearly always the same: a cutesy voiceover mimics a dog announcing its nominations for the challenge – think Snoopy and Bluey. Then without warning, the pet owner douses their dog in water, capturing the animal’s startled reaction for laughs and likes.

Not everyone’s amused.

The challenge, a riff on the 2014 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, is being slammed by animal welfare organizations as harmful and irresponsible.

“This is a betrayal of trust that undoubtedly leaves your dog confused and terrified,” said a spokesperson for PETA.

The group likened the trend to emotional abuse, warning that stunts like these can damage a dog’s sense of safety and potentially cause long-term fear or anxiety. In short: your pet won’t understand viral fame, but it will remember being scared and soaked.

The criticism highlights an ongoing problem in the social media age – pets being used as props for clout. While videos of dogs doing tricks or reacting to funny sounds tend to be harmless, trends involving shock, surprise, or discomfort blur ethical lines. And as history has shown with similar fads, the internet’s thirst for novelty can easily override compassion.

Animal behaviorists also warn that such experiences can backfire. Dogs rely on consistency and positive reinforcement to bond with their humans. Dumping water on them for entertainment doesn’t just disrupt that bond, it can erode it entirely.

Some people think it’s just harmless fun.

Plenty disagree with the take that a little water in warm weather is tantamount to animal abuse. If it’s hot out, your dog likes water, and you’re not fully sneaking up on them, is it really that harmful to your pup?

Maybe it depends on the context – and the dog. But before you turn them into a viral stunt, just remember they’re a companion not a punchline.

Maybe they deserve better than a bucket of cold water in the name of internet points.