Do Dogs Really Watch TV?
The image of a dog staring intently at the television is a common one. With the rise in popularity of TV shows and movies featuring animals, many dog owners wonder if their pets actually enjoy watching television or are just confused by flickering screens. While the idea of curling up with your dog to watch the latest dog show may seem appealing, research suggests that dogs perceive television very differently than humans do.
According to a study published in Animals, dogs do pay attention to images on TV, but not in the same way people do. Their vision and information processing make it unlikely that they experience television the way humans do. However, some visual and auditory aspects of TV can still grab their attention.
Dogs’ Sensory Abilities
Dogs have incredibly sensitive hearing compared to humans. Their ears can detect frequencies up to 45,000 Hz, while the human range of hearing only goes up to 20,000 Hz. This means dogs can pick up on sounds from TVs that are inaudible or imperceptible to us. High-pitched noises like static, interference, and buzzing that emanate from TV screens are likely heard by canine viewers. Dogs also have a wider range of hearing and can detect quieter sounds. The average human hears at 0 dB, while dogs can pick up volumes as low as -5 to -15 dB. With their heightened auditory system, dogs may find the sounds coming from TVs in homes to be pervasive and difficult to ignore.
Dog Breed Differences
Certain breeds tend to be more attracted to the moving images on TV than others. According to experts, breeds with high prey drives like terriers and hounds are more likely to intensely watch TV. For example, Jack Russell Terriers have a strong drive to chase prey, making them more inclined to stare at animals or fast movement on the screen. On the other hand, scent hounds like Beagles are less visually driven and more likely to ignore the TV.
An article on Wide Open Spaces predicts that breeds like Whippets would be addicted to television due to their hunting instincts and ability to focus on movement [1]. Herding breeds like Border Collies also tend to fixate on the TV, possibly viewing moving objects as something to herd. Golden Retrievers, known for attentiveness, are another breed inclined to watch TV according to original news reporting [2]. Overall, dogs with higher visual acuity and prey drive are most likely to be drawn to the moving images on the television screen.
Moving Images Grab Attention
Dogs are particularly attuned to movement and motion. Their eyes are designed to notice quickly moving objects for hunting purposes (1). So when dogs see moving images on a television screen, it piques their interest and causes them to pay more attention. According to scientific studies, dogs are capable of perceiving 2D moving images on a screen in a similar way that humans do. The parts of the canine visual cortex that process motion lighting up in response to moving images on a TV (1). This indicates that dogs visually recognize motion on TV just like real motion, at least to some degree. So moving objects and animals on television will grab a dog’s attention much more than still images or landscapes that don’t have motion.
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(1) https://www.answers.com/zoology/Do_dogs_pay_attention_to_TV_ever
Sounds Affect Dogs
Dog response to TV depends on sounds coming from it. Dogs have keen hearing and respond to a wide range of frequencies and volumes. Research indicates dogs hear low frequency sounds from the TV just as well as humans. However, they detect high frequency sounds much better than we do.
Certain noises like barking, doorbells, sirens, or gunshots on TV can get a dog’s attention and make them react. Loud volumes are more likely to startle or stress out dogs. On the other hand, calm music or nature sounds may have a soothing effect.
Owners notice different reactions in their dogs based on the sounds coming from the TV. It’s best not to play anything too noisy, startling, or stressful for extended periods to avoid overstimulating your dog.
Owner Influence
The owner’s behavior can greatly influence whether or not a dog shows interest in watching television. Dogs are highly attuned to their owners and will often mimic certain behaviors. According to a 2018 article on Bustle, dogs tend to copy their owners’ sleep patterns, emotions, and daily routines (source). If an owner frequently watches TV, the dog may learn to do the same simply by following the owner’s lead. The presence and attention of the owner while the TV is on can reinforce this behavior in dogs.
Additionally, the types of programs the owner watches may further influence a dog’s reactions. For example, if an owner constantly watches dog shows or nature programs with lots of animals, the dog may become more intrigued by the moving images and sounds on the screen. The dog may associate watching TV with quality time and interaction with their beloved owner. Ultimately, an owner’s viewing habits and behavior while watching TV can directly impact how interested their dog is in the television.
Stress and Overstimulation
Too much exposure to TV can overstimulate and stress out dogs. The constant visual and audio stimulation from a blaring TV set can be overwhelming for canine senses (www.fetchpet.com/the-dig/tv-for-dogs). Dogs have sharper vision and hearing compared to humans, so the flashing lights, colors, and loud sounds are intensified for them. This can put dogs on high alert and make it difficult for them to relax. Prolonged overstimulation from the TV can cause anxiety, restlessness, and behavioral issues in some dogs as they struggle to cope with the sensory overload.
Leaving the TV on too long or playing jarring content can overwork a dog’s senses. Some studies suggest overstimulation from TV may even contribute to seizures in dogs prone to epilepsy. It’s best to avoid exposing dogs to hours of loud, colorful TV shows not suited for them. The American Kennel Club recommends keeping TV viewing to short intervals for dogs to prevent overstimulation (www.countryliving.com/uk/wildlife/pets/a38207057/should-dogs-watch-tv/). It’s also wise to monitor dogs’ reactions and turn off the TV if they seem stressed or overexcited.
Calming Effects
Research has shown that calm, gentle television shows can have a soothing effect on anxious dogs. A 2021 experiment by Reviews.org analyzed the biometric data of 120 dogs as they watched different shows on Netflix. They found that slower-paced shows with gentle music and voices, like The Mandalorian, were the most relaxing for dogs. Their heart rates lowered by up to 3.75% below their resting rate. On the other hand, visually busy or suspenseful shows like Ozark led to more signs of stress and discomfort in the dogs.
The researchers theorized that the natural sounds, music, and dialogue found in calmer shows have “similar audio characteristics to classical music,” which has been shown in other studies to have calming benefits for dogs. So putting on a gentle show in the background can create a soothing environment for an anxious or overstimulated dog.
Preference Testing
Several studies have tested whether dogs actually prefer having the TV on or not. In one experiment published in the journal Animal Cognition, researchers set up a room with two identical dog crates. One crate had a TV playing footage of animals, while the other crate had no TV. They then let each dog choose which crate to enter and spend time in. The results showed that the dogs had no overall preference for the crate with the TV on or off.
Another study tested dogs’ reactions to a television screen and a blank wall. The canines were left alone in the room with the TV on one day, and with the TV off the next day. Their stress levels and behavior were monitored through video observation. The study found that the presence or absence of the TV made no difference to the dogs’ stress and activity levels.
These experiments indicate that while some individual dogs may enjoy TV, most dogs do not actually have an inherent preference for whether the TV is on or off when left alone at home. Their focus is more on the presence or absence of their human owners rather than the TV visual and audio stimulation.
Conclusion
In summary, the evidence suggests that most dogs have a limited interest in watching TV. While they can perceive images and sounds from the TV, their sensory experiences are different than humans’ due to differences in visual acuity, color perception, and hearing ranges. Certain breeds like herding dogs may be more inclined to watch TV, especially if it has animals or movement, but they tend to watch only for short periods. Most dogs may glance at the TV occasionally but are not truly engaged or entertained by normal TV programming. Some individual dogs do enjoy TV more, particularly when they are alone, but the duration is often short. It seems that dogs are not nearly as interested in passively watching TV as human are. Their preference is to interact and engage directly with their surroundings, people, toys, and other real animals. While the flashing lights and sounds of TV may sporadically grab their attention, it is doubtful that most dogs have a strong preference for whether the TV is on or off in the background.