Record-Breaking Cocker Spaniel Charms Internet with Unique Tricks

Quick Smiles:

• Meet a gifted cocker spaniel named Leo, a Guinness World Record holder, who has amazed the internet with his unique trick involving stacking toy blocks.
• Leo lives with his owner and seasoned dog trainer, Emily Anderson, in Aberdeen, UK, earning widespread admiration for his extraordinary talents.
• Despite grappling with illness and anxiety, Leo’s zest for learning and performing tricks, including ping pong, painting, and scent work, helped him recover, testament to the astonishing adaptability and resilience of dogs.

@trickspaniel

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♬ original sound – trickspaniel

Get to know Leo, a spectacularly talented cocker spaniel who holds a Guinness World Record. This smart canine has recently captivated the internet by showing off a new skill he learned during his recovery from a difficult illness.

Leo resides in Aberdeen, the United Kingdom, with his owner and professional dog trainer Emily Anderson, fellow spaniel Phoebe, and Katie, a toy poodle.

Cocker spaniels, known for their high intelligence and eagerness to please, have a reputation for being easy to train. The American Kennel Club (AKC) refers to them as “a people-pleasing breed.”

According to the AKC, they strive to be ‘good’ to satisfy their owners, and they are generally sensitive and responsive to correction and a disapproving tone in their owner’s voice. Harsh punitive measures are rarely required or effective for this breed.

Leo is a perfect embodiment of this description. His extraordinary tricks have gained him a massive online following, including a Guinness World Record.

A recent TikTok video shared by Anderson shows Leo skillfully constructing a tower out of toy blocks. The video captures Leo carefully grasping a green block and solidly adding it to the tower, followed by an elated “Yes! Good boy Leo!” from his proud owner.

This delightful video has amassed over 3.6 million views, leaving TikTok users universally amazed by Leo’s talents.

According to Anderson, while “all dogs can learn and hugely benefit from doing tricks,” Leo’s abilities are exceptional. “Leo is incredibly special and can definitely take tricks to the next level,” she expressed. “He’s so far beyond the dog I ever hoped of having, so much he does I didn’t even think was feasible.”

Leo’s block stacking talent was accidentally discovered when Anderson bought him some blocks for his birthday. “In true Leo style, he immediately did it when I set them out for him!” Anderson revealed.

Leo’s skills go far beyond just stacking blocks. He can play hopscotch, ping-pong, create artwork, and perform scent work. He also holds a Guinness World Record for depositing 23 coins in a piggy bank in one minute, surpassing the previous record of 18 coins.

Reflecting on Leo’s recovery journey, Anderson disclosed that Leo fell seriously ill at 11 months old and struggled mentally to recover. “Leo became anxious about everything and had difficulty coping with daily life—he developed severe separation anxiety and would get upset if he heard noises outside.”

Despite these challenges, training was Leo’s lifeline. “Leo always enjoyed training,” and according to Anderson, it was this that aided his recovery from his illness.

During lockdown, when their activities were limited, Anderson purchased a small agility set for the garden, which brought enormous joy to Leo. However, she soon realized intensive agility training could potentially harm Leo and strain his joints.

“So that’s when we seriously started doing tricks. We both got addicted and still haven’t stopped,” Anderson recollected.

Thousands of TikTok users have applauded Leo’s block stacking trick, with some humorously comparing him to their pets, while others simply showering him with praises for his accomplishment.

One user summed it up aptly: “The little nose boop at the end to tap it down. Clever boy!!!”

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