Owner and Puppy Having Fun at Dog Park, Hearts Break Over What Happens Next

A delightful day at the dog park took an unexpected turn for a Sydney-based puppy named John.

In an Instagram reel posted by @ayla_dhyani, the Dachshund-Frenchie mix experienced his very first thunderstorm—and he was absolutely terrified. Since the reel was posted, it has gone viral with over 2 million likes for documenting the pup’s heartbreaking move to seek comfort in the storm.

“When you’re having fun at the dog park and casually experience your first thunderstorm,” the creator captioned the video. “Well, never going outside again!”

The scene shows John on his owner’s lap with his head buried in his arm, seeking shelter from the unexpected storm.

The puppy’s visceral fear resonated strongly with viewers who couldn’t stand to see the dog terrified. Instagrammers were quick to express their sympathy and outrage on John’s behalf—even though the circumstances weren’t exactly controllable.

“The thunder needs to apologize RIGHT NOW,” one commenter demanded. Another, smitten with the adorable moment, declared, “Not to sound dramatic, but I would die for him.”

The video also sparked a moment of reflection for many about the plight of less fortunate animals.

“Imagine the poor puppies and dogs and animals that don’t have this comfort and are left by their owners,” one person wrote. “Breaks my heart more than anything. So glad he has a loving home.”

Some even joked about retaliating against the storm, with one user writing, “Mother nature, prepare, because we ride at dawn. We’re coming for you.”

Acclimatizing Puppies to Thunder

Beyond the shared commiseration, some viewers offered practical advice for future thunderstorms.

One helpful comment suggested starting exposure training early.

“Poor thing,” they wrote. “I took my dog to puppy classes and they advised downloading an app with various sounds like thunderstorms, fireworks, traffic, car horns, trucks etc. It was to be played at a barely audible level to humans. It worked.

“Her first walk along a busy road went perfectly…Daisy isn’t even bothered about thunderstorms. It might be worth looking into to avoid more scares.”

“Now is the time to play in the rain and act like it’s not scary, otherwise you’re training your dog to fear loud noises,” another commenter offered.

John’s dramatic introduction to thunderstorms, captured so vividly on video, is a reminder of the vulnerability of our most spunky and playful pets. For this little puppy, at least, the dog park might be off the itinerary for a while.

Newsweek reached out to @ayla_dhyani for comment via TikTok.