Woman Gets Dog Instead of Baby To Avoid Tantrums—Doesn't Go As Planned

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A woman's attempt to avoid having to deal with temper tantrums failed miserably when she chose to adopt a dog who proved to be just as demanding as a human child, if not worse.
In a viral TikTok video shared on Friday under the username @calei_calei, the Jersey City dog owner writes: "Getting a dog instead of a human baby to avoid a temper tantrums." In the footage, she cuddles her German shepherd, Rusty.
The following shot, however, shows the pup sitting at the back of the car, howling at his owner nonstop, until she gets him what he wants. "My dog every time we pull into Starbucks because he expects a pup cup," the owner continues.
"I should have known a German shepherd always brings the drama," the caption adds.
Pets can experience temper tantrums just like humans, and while they generally are physically not harmful, they can be emotionally overwhelming for both.
Dogs often display frustration when forced to do things they are not up to. Common signs that your pup is having a tantrum include refusing to follow commands, excessive barking, growling, and destructive behaviors such as chewing.
The best way to manage pet tantrums, according to Netmeds, is to allow the episode to run its course. This can help you determine if this behavior is just attention-seeking.
Using familiar commands like "sit" or "settle" can help snap an animal out of an emotional episode. Remaining calm is key, as pets pick up on our emotions and react accordingly.
Stock image: A German shepherd sits in the front of a car with its owner.
Stock image: A German shepherd sits in the front of a car with its owner.
getty images
The video quickly went viral on social media and has so far received over 176,000 views and more than 37,000 likes on the platform.
One user, OdinTheMalinois, commented: "Picked the worst dog if you didn't want tantrums haha. I learned from a young age that my Shepard gets no pup cups or he will bark at the employees til he gets one. Now he has stopped since he knows he gets no more haha."
Lisa Y posted: "You got the wrong breed if you were trying to avoid tantrums. Mine throws a full on hiss fit if she can't get past her brother to go into a room."
Bee added: "Ummm I can honestly say my dog has more temper tantrums than any child I've ever met."
Newsweek reached out to @calei_calei for comment via TikTok comments. We could not verify the details of the case.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.

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Newsweek

2 hours ago

• Newsweek

Therapist Mom Shares Simple Phrases She Teaches Her Kids to Stay Safe

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Buzz Feed

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• Buzz Feed

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A microfiber spin mop so your mop isn't soaking wet before you get to cleaning. It's machine washable, has an automatic wringer, and is designed in a shape that will reach into small spaces and corners, no problem. Or a flat mop that basically cleans itself, so you don't have to touch the grimy mop head (bless). The compact design makes it great for tight spaces, and the reusable microfiber pads mean you can keep your floors and walls sparkling without hauling out a giant mop setup every time. An automatic, odor-absorbing, sensor-activated trash can made of fingerprint-proof stainless steel. Who knew a single trashcan could do so much? Promising review: "I bought this trash can eight years ago. At the time, it was hard to find any stainless-steel trash cans for an affordable price, so the fact that this was the most reasonable and it had the automated lid seemed like a pretty easy choice. It still looks great and works great. 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And the actual dividers are well made and super easy to assemble." —BrigetteGet it from Amazon for $9.17+ (available in black or white). A moisture meter to place deep down into the soil so you know exactly how much water your plant is getting. Under- and overwatering can be a thing of the past, people! A two-stage knife sharpener, because preparing food with a dull knife is never a good idea. Keep all your knives sharp with this easy tool that only requires a few swipes to make it like new again. Promising review: "Wow, this little gadget is pretty amazing! I have some old (expensive) nonserrated knives that are supposed to never need sharpening but unfortunately, lost their sharp edge long ago. I saw this gadget and decided to try it. I set the bottom of this gadget on the edge of the counter and ran one of the knives through the side labeled 'Coarse' about 10 times, then ran it through the side labeled 'Fine' another 8–10 times. Bingo! 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Newsweek

13 hours ago

• Newsweek

Woman Picks Up Shell—Only to Learn It's One of The Deadliest on Earth

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. After spotting a beautiful shell, Beckylee Rawls didn't think twice about picking it up to get a closer look. What she never could have imagined was that she was actually holding one of the world's most venomous creatures, which can paralyze and kill its prey. Rawls, 29, was tide pooling in Okinawa, Japan, in early June when she noticed a shell with a gorgeous marble pattern in the water. As someone with a collection of shells at home, she couldn't resist picking it up and getting a closer look. Indeed, she even captured a video showing the marble cone snail in her bare hand, telling Newsweek that she "had no idea it could be dangerous." Rawls said: "When I first saw the shell, I was just focused on how beautiful it was. I've picked up so many shells while at the beach before without hesitancy. I didn't even realize it was alive at first." Beckylee Rawls, 29, showing the cone snail shells she's collected, and the one she found in Japan. Beckylee Rawls, 29, showing the cone snail shells she's collected, and the one she found in Japan. @beckyleeinoki / TikTok Once she realized it was still alive, she assumed it was "just a harmless snail" and placed it back in the water. Thankfully so, in the end. It was only when she got home and did a reverse image search of the shell that Rawls came to realize that this was no ordinary shell. She was stunned to discover that it was in fact a cone snail—one of the deadliest creatures in the world. Cone snails, part of the Conidae family, are a type of predatory gastropod mollusk that live inside spiral shells. They range in size, reaching up to around 11 inches in length, but their power lies within their toxic venom. They capture their prey by using a harpoon-like hollow tooth known as a radula, which is jabbed into prey to inject the venom which can paralyze and kill. While they typically hunt worms or other mollusks, humans can be stung by inadvertently picking cone snails up in their hands. Research published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information suggests that the venom from one cone snail has the potential to kill up to 700 people. Indeed, most envenomation among humans occurs on the palms and fingers. Rawls had no idea what she was holding at the time, but after learning more about the danger of cone snails, she immediately felt "the fear set in." She continued: "I started thinking through everything I had done—holding and shaking it—and realizing how bad it could've been. I was so paranoid for days that I had been stung and just didn't realize it yet. "But I never felt anything, and eventually I accepted I was okay. The more I researched the cone snail, the scarier it got, especially when I found out there's no antivenom." Thankfully, Rawls wasn't stung, and she didn't experience any symptoms in the days that followed. Nonetheless, she was very shaken up by the terrifying close call. It seemed like such a harmless shell, but the reality was very different. Rawls shared footage of her encounter with the deadly snail which can cause "full paralysis in minutes" on TikTok (@beckyleeinoki). The video went viral with over 25.8 million views and more than 833,500 likes in a matter of days, as many people were desperate to know more. She's been overwhelmed by the response, as plenty of TikTok users thanked Rawls for sharing her story because they would have done the same as her without knowing. "It really showed me how little-known this danger is, which made me feel like sharing it was the right thing," Rawls told Newsweek. "I still love the ocean, and this won't scare me away, but I'm way more cautious now. I treat anything unfamiliar with respect and distance. I'm grateful for whatever reason the snail did not sting me and to have this second chance." Whenever she's exploring the coastline now, Rawls has a new rule that she will be sure to follow: if it's a cone, leave it alone. Social media users were left horrified by Rawls's near miss with the deadly cone snail, leading to more than 7,000 comments on her TikTok post. One comment reads: "so this is the day I stop picking up shells from the beach!" Another TikTok user wrote: "They need to teach this in schools because i also would have 100 percent picked that up." While another person added: "As a biologist, I learned to admire things from afar. Do not touch anything if it's new for you." Is there a health issue that's worrying you? Let us know via health@ We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.