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7 Words That Get the Funniest Reactions From Your Dog, According to a Trainer

By Beth Ann Mayer Parade Pets

Updated June 17, 2026 7:47 PM

A dog having a funny and adorable reaction to hearing a certain word. Getty Images Cavan Images Kristen Ryan

Pet parenthood is full of quirky chaos. It's hard not to find your dog entertaining. From full-body happy dances when you come home from a 20-minute errand to faking you out during a game of fetch, dogs bring sunshine and silliness into our lives. But certain words you say can also get the most comical responses from your dog. To find out what 7 words will get the funniest (and cutest) reactions from your dog, keep reading. You may be shocked at what some of them are as they aren't particually goofy terms.

So, why do dogs show dramatic and over-the-top behaviors to some phrases and not others? Apryl Venner, a dog trainer at Purina, says dogs communicate differently than people and use body language to disclose how they feel about something. Venner says that dogs are masters at word association and are consistently linking certain terms with certain positive rewards, which is why pet parents often notice some hilarious replies from their furbaby when they are mentioned. From zoomies, to quirky expressions and 80-mile-per-hour tail wags, it's hard to miss your pup's overjoyed behaviors.

While there are tons of words that can be tied to positive reinforcement, experts say there are a few that are classics for a reason and get big displays. If you're curious what they are, Venner shares them below.

7 Words That Get the Funniest Reactions From Your Dog

There's no need for a laugh track when it comes to life with dogs. Even the simplest things can cause them to do something LOL-worthy, like when you speak to them. So, what words get the funniest reactions from dogs? Here's what a trainer says.

1. "Treat"

Dogs can go a little cray-cray when you whisper "treat?" to them. In fact, Venner shares that dogs act silly when they hear "treat" because they've learned it means they're about to get something they really enjoy and they can't help but express their excitment through their body language.

"Many dogs instantly perk up their ears, tilt their head, wag their tail, stare intently or come running the moment they hear it," Venner says. "This makes their excitement both entertaining and endearing."

2. "Walk"

Another common term dogs react to in a happy, but funny way? The word "walk."

When they see their leash and hear you say that to them, they may start spinning in circles, instantly jump-up, rapidly wag their tail or run straight to the door faster than you've ever seen them. "They do this because they know they're about to head outside for an adventure," Venner explains.

3. "Car"

When it comes to dramatic and silly things dogs do when you talk to them, mentioning a car ride will often result in your pup having a big respsonse. No matter if you have a small dog or a big canine, this magic word can really hype up your pup since it's probably something they don't get to experience every single day.

"As a pet owner, it is fun to watch dogs get excited when they hear the word 'car' because it shows the power of association and anticipation," Venner points out. "Their reaction reflects how strongly they connect that cue with rewarding experiences. For dogs, this could be an adventure, training, hiking or simply spending time with their people."

4. "Leave it!"

Funny dog reactions from commands you give them can also be a result of them not be thrilled by what they're hearing. Instead of jumping up and down in joy, they may snort or give you the stink eye, which can be super silly to witness as a dog parent as well.

"It is interesting to watch dogs respond to 'leave it' because you can see them actively thinking and making a choice," Venner states.

5. "Fetch!"

What dog doesn't like the word "fetch"? Saying this can make your pup instantly perk up and go crazy in the best way possible by displaying anticipatory bounces, spinning in circles, or happily barking, which may make you giggle.

"'Get it' or 'fetch' channels a dog's' natural chase drive into a purposeful behavior," Venner explains. "The instant focus, commitment and enthusiasm they bring to the task highlight the power of motivation-based training and the joy dogs find in using their instincts."

6. The name of their favorite toy.

Mentionng your pup's favorite toy out loud can really hype up your pup in a hilarious way and the way they respond can be adorable and funny at the same time.

"It's so fun to watch your dog react to the name of their favorite toy because their excitement is instant and genuine," Venner gushes. "The moment they light up with anticipation, you get to share in the simple joy of something they love."

7. "Come."

It's hard not to smile when you watch your dog respond to the word "come." From a training perspective, Venner says that a dog who follows this command has a reliable bond with their human.

"Seeing a dog enthusiastically choose to return demonstrates trust, engagement and the effectiveness of positive training," Venner states. "Often, dogs react in a funny way to the word 'come' because they have learned it means attention, interaction and something good may happen when they return to their person."

So, don't be surprised if your dog instantly stops mid-sniff to listen to you. Perked-up ears and an Olympian-style sprint toward you (tail wagging, obviously) are also expected reactions.

Source:

Apryl Venner, a dog trainer at Purina

This story was originally published June 17, 2026 at 7:32 PM.