From starring in TikTok dance trends to “reviewing” toys on YouTube, animals now have their own kind of internet fame. However, their online presence goes far beyond cute outfits and funny voiceovers. More and more pet owners are finding creative ways to collaborate with their animals, sometimes in surprisingly advanced ways. A recent video of a drumming dog is the latest jaw-dropping example of just how talented pets can be.
Dog plays the drums to Imagine Dragons’ ‘Believer’ in viral video
A dog named Anabel has taken the internet by storm with her impressive drumming skills during a home performance with her owner. The video, which has now racked up over 4 million views and 270K likes, features Anabel sitting by a drum pedal while her owner plays the cello. Together, they cover the hit song “Believer” by Imagine Dragons. At key points in the song, Anabel presses the pedal with her paw, right in rhythm.
What makes the performance truly remarkable is how Anabel stays completely focused on her owner throughout the piece. She waits for visual cues — specifically a subtle nod of the head — to know exactly when to press her paw on the drum pedal. Each time her owner signals, Anabel responds with perfect precision. According to her owner, teaching Anabel to drum took a lot of effort and patience. She explains that the biggest challenge wasn’t just training the dog to hit the pedal at the right moment, but also learning to control her own natural head movements to avoid any unintentional cues.
Training your pup to play a simple musical instrument, like hitting a drum pedal, starts with basic obedience and reward-based reinforcement. First, associate the desired action (e.g., pressing a pedal) with a command and reward it immediately. Keep sessions short and positive. Once your dog is comfortable with the motion, begin adding cues — visual or verbal — to introduce timing. It’s important to go at your pet’s pace and not force interaction. A dog that is enjoying the process is far more likely to stay engaged and succeed over time.
