A video about how a single fire-alarm incident left one dog in Texas traumatized has gone viral on Instagram.
The short clip, posted by @its_snoopydogg on October 1, shows a dog called Snoopy wedged beneath a bathroom cabinet, appearing visibly distressed.
Text overlaid on the clip reads: “POV [point of view]: Your dog hides every time you cook bc [because] you set the fire alarm off one time a year ago.” The clip has garnered almost 500,000 views since it was shared on October 1. “She won’t come out now,” the caption of the post reads.
Snoopy’s owner, Reese Macdonald, a social-media manager based in Dallas, told Newsweek that her dog has developed a long-term fear response following the noise from a smoke detector. “She’s always been quite sensitive to loud noises and will hide under our bathroom sink, which we call her ‘safe spot,’” Macdonald added.
The owner explained the incident that started the behavior. “When it first happened a year ago, she freaked out and wouldn’t come out for a while—it was pretty sad. Now, even when I cook louder foods like steak or when the stove makes certain noises, she still hides,” Macdonald said.
Snoopy, a cross between a Border collie and a poodle, was adopted in January. Since then, Macdonald has been sharing videos of her on Instagram and TikTok, capturing the dog’s expressive reactions and playful personality. “We love making light-hearted skits, jumping on trends, and making people laugh. Snoopy’s naturally expressive personality really draws people in,” Macdonald said.
Snoopy’s story serves as a reminder that even everyday household sounds can leave lasting impressions on pets.
A 2015 study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science found that noise sensitivity is a common behavioral issue in dogs, particularly related to sounds like thunderstorms, fireworks, gunshots and engine noise. The study also noted that behavioral responses can be extreme and may pose a serious welfare concern for the animals involved.
Additionally, previous research has shown that 68.3 percent of canines adopted from animal shelters displayed undesirable behavior within the first month, with fearfulness being the most frequently reported issue. Of those, 53.4 percent of owners cited fear as the main behavioral challenge, the study said.
While many viewers commented with affection and empathy for the dog’s fear, the clip also struck a chord with other pet owners experiencing similar challenges.
“Oh poor baby, she found a safe spot,” wrote user @the.teddybeardood.
Another viewer, @magicpinkbus, added: “aww the trauma. it’s OK, baby.”
User @geneva.blackwell posted, “Mine does the same thing. It goes off every time I cook,” while @aubreerosevasquez echoed the sentiment: “Saaammmeeeee. The second the stove turns on she’s gone.”