A heartbreakingvideo showing a dachshund named Bentley trembling and hiding under furniture has left viewers emotional—and searching for answers.
The montage of TikTok clips shows the black‑and‑brown dog, who is almost 5 years old, running away and shaking uncontrollably beneath a table. Text layered over the video reads, “ever since he stayed at the animal hospital he runs away [and] shakes uncontrollably every time I grab my keys,” with the footage racking up over 140,000 views.
Bentley’s owner said that the reaction appears to be linked to the sound of car keys, which now trigger visible panic following his stay at the animal hospital. In the video, Bentley can be seen retreating as soon as the keys are picked up, his body shaking as he tries to hide.
The comments section has since been flooded with advice from fellow dog owners, many sharing similar experiences and offering suggestions to help reduce Bentley’s anxiety.
One commenter wrote: “Try to not associate the sound of keys with something negative like driving or leaving. Grab them at random times and just hold them, give treats, maybe do things that he enjoys while holding them.”
Another suggested turning car rides into something Bentley looks forward to, writing: “Drive him to fun places! Take him to get a pup cup!”
Bentley’s owner replied that they have already tried that approach, saying: “I take him out all the time!!! It never gets better. Once we get to wherever we’re going, and he realizes it’s not the vet, the ride back he doesn’t shake at all!”
In another comment, the owner added: “I’ve tried quite literally everything.”
A third user said: “I’d suggest taking him back to the animal hospital and have the staff greet him nicely and give treats. Make it a more positive experience then it was originally. My dachshunds can get like this with certain things, but I just make it a more enjoyable experience the second go around.”
While Bentley’s fear has resonated deeply with viewers, experts say anxiety linked to car rides or vet visits is common—and can often be eased with time, patience, and positive reinforcement.
How To Teach Your Dog To Love the Car
The American Kennel Club (AKC) says dogs can learn to feel calmer around cars using gradual exposure and positive associations. Here are five key tips:
- Start far away and go slowly
Begin where your pup feels safe—this could be several feet from a parked car. Gradually move closer only when your dog is calm. - Pair the car with things your dog loves
Use treats, toys, meals, games, or training sessions near and inside the car to help create positive associations. - Let your pup set the pace
If your dog stops eating or playing, you have moved too fast. Take a step back and wait until they relax again before continuing. - Introduce car‑related sounds in stages
Add triggers like sitting in the driver’s seat, closing doors, or locking the car one at a time—always paired with treats or play. - Turn the engine on but don’t drive anywhere
Turn the car on and off without going anywhere, allowing your dog to associate the engine noise with food, fun, and calm experiences.