Introduction
With busy schedules and more people working from home than ever before, many dog owners wonder if leaving the TV on for their pets throughout the day is a good idea. This article explores whether watching television provides benefits or drawbacks for dogs. We’ll look at the reasons why dogs may enjoy watching TV, the best types of programs to choose, and how to monitor your pet’s viewing habits responsibly.
The goals of this article are to help dog owners understand if and how television viewing can be enriching for canines, recommend specific shows that are stimulating versus stressful, and provide tips on supervising and limiting screen time for dogs. By the end, readers will know how to make informed choices about TV for their pets and maximize any benefits while minimizing any risks.
Why Dogs Enjoy Watching TV
Dogs enjoy watching television for a variety of reasons. The combination of visual and audio stimulation from TV provides mental enrichment for dogs (1). The moving images, changing scenes, and sounds attract their natural prey drive and curiosity. TV also provides dogs with something engaging to focus on, which many find relaxing.
According to the AKC, a dog’s interest in TV depends on their personality and breed characteristics (1). Hounds and herding breeds tend to be more fascinated by television due to their stronger prey drive. Visually-inclined breeds like Pointers are also more likely to watch. Highly intelligent dogs may enjoy the mental stimulation of following TV shows. Puppies and energetic dogs can benefit from the visual distraction.
The sounds coming from the TV also grab dogs’ attention. Dogs have excellent hearing and can pick up frequencies humans can’t detect. The sounds pique their natural curiosity, even if they don’t fully understand what they’re hearing. Auditory enrichment can make TV watching more exciting for dogs.
Overall, television provides dogs with audiovisual stimulation that engages their brains and natural instincts in a safe, indoor environment. The sights and sounds offer mental enrichment and relaxation for our canine companions.
(1) https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/why-does-my-dog-watch-tv/
Best Genres for Dogs
When choosing a TV show for your dog to watch, it’s important to select genres that will appeal to their senses and keep them relaxed and entertained. Some of the best genres for dogs include:
Nature/Wildlife Shows
Dogs have an innate interest in animals, so nature and wildlife shows can be very engaging for them. Seeing animals moving on screen grabs their attention. The sounds and sights can also have a calming effect. Some good options are Planet Earth, Blue Planet, and Africa 1.
Animated Shows
Cartoons with animals as main characters, such as Scooby Doo or Looney Tunes, tend to hold a dog’s interest. The animated movements and voices are intriguing for them. The lighthearted content also prevents overstimulation or stress. Other animal-centric options include Paw Patrol and Bluey 2.
Dog-Centric Shows
There are now TV shows created just for dogs, such as DogTV. These feature relaxing music, footage of humans, animated segments, and dog-related content. The combination engages dogs by showing things they can relate to. Short segments also align with dogs’ shorter attention spans 3.
Educational Programs
Educational programs are excellent for teaching dogs basic obedience and good manners. Shows like Dogs With Extraordinary Jobs on PBS showcase service dogs and how they are trained for important work like guiding the blind, detecting seizures, and more. On Disney+, Dog: Impossible follows trainer Matt Beisner as he works with challenging dogs using positive reinforcement methods. Beisner breaks down cues, proper walking, and other foundations of good behavior. For a science-based approach, check out Dogs Decoded on Amazon Prime, where Dr. Brian Hare explores canine cognition and why certain training approaches are more effective. While not quite as educational, competition shows like World’s Most Amazing Dog on Facebook Watch and America’s Top Dog on A&E can also demonstrate how to train dogs through fun tricks and obstacle courses.
The key is choosing programs where the training philosophy aligns with proven techniques based on understanding dog psychology and using rewards instead of punishment. Avoid shows that promote dominance or aggression. The right educational content can provide both dogs and owners with positive examples to learn from.
Avoid Violent/Stressful Content
It’s important for dog owners to avoid exposing their furry friends to violent or stressful content on TV. According to a 2020 article on Psychology Today, watching movies or shows with adult themes, language or violence can be unhealthy for dogs (source). The sounds of violence, aggression and shouting can be very distressing and frightening for dogs. Even though they may not fully comprehend the storylines, dogs are sensitive to emotions and pick up on stressful cues from humans and other animals on screen.
Exposing dogs to violent content can cause anxiety, restlessness and other behavioral issues. The unfamiliar sights and sounds of violence and aggression go against a dog’s natural instincts. As social pack animals, dogs are wired to avoid conflict and tense situations. Watching stressful TV only triggers their fight-or-flight response unnecessarily. It’s best for their mental wellbeing to stick to positive programming.
That being said, brief or mildly startling noises like fireworks on TV may not be too concerning. But dog owners should use discretion and monitor their pet’s reaction. If a show is causing visible distress, agitation or other signs of fear, it’s best to turn it off. Protect your dog’s peace of mind by keeping the remote handy and minimizing stressful stimuli from violent media.
Keep It Simple
Dogs are not able to follow complex plots or storylines. In fact, complex narratives will simply confuse your dog. They have short attention spans and do not comprehend intricate relationships between characters or sophisticated concepts. Stick to shows with simple narratives, minimal dialogue, and basic story arcs. Avoid mysteries, dramas, or psychological thrillers. Opt instead for straightforward documentaries, cartoons, or competition shows like agility trials that have instant gratification and easy-to-grasp objectives.
Keep Volume Low
Dogs have much more sensitive hearing than humans, so it’s important to keep the TV volume at a safe level for your pup. The general recommendation is to keep volumes under 85 decibels to protect your dog’s hearing and prevent discomfort or pain (source). Prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 decibels can potentially lead to noise-induced hearing loss in dogs, similar to humans.
To put this in perspective, 85 decibels is roughly the volume of city traffic or a food blender. Normal conversation is around 60 decibels. Since dogs can hear frequencies about twice as high as humans, sounds that seem comfortable to our ears may be piercing and irritating to dogs. Keep the volume low enough that your dog does not seem bothered or stressed by the noise. Supervise your pup closely and watch for signs of agitation when the TV is on.
Supervise Your Dog
While educational programs and dog-friendly content can provide mental stimulation, it’s still important to supervise your dog any time the TV is on. Pay close attention to their reactions to what they are watching. Some dogs may become overstimulated or stressed by flashing lights, loud noises, or quick scene changes.
Look for signs of anxiety like panting, pacing, whimpering, or hiding. If your dog seems distressed, turn off the TV right away. The goal is to provide a positive experience, so don’t force them to watch if they don’t seem comfortable.
You know your dog best. Monitor their body language and behavior to make sure TV time doesn’t become a source of stress. With supervision and care, television can be an engaging enrichment activity for dogs.
Alternative Activities
While watching TV may provide some mental stimulation for dogs, it is no substitute for proper physical and mental exercise. Dogs have needs for sensory and cognitive enrichment that are best met through activities and environments that engage their natural instincts (https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/dog-enrichment-toys-games-and-more). Interacting with their surroundings through play, exploration, and problem solving is important for a dog’s wellbeing.
Some great alternatives to TV that provide physical and mental enrichment include:
- Playing games like fetch, tug-of-war, or hide-and-seek
- Providing chew toys or food puzzles
- Letting your dog play and dig in the yard
- Going on walks, hikes, or swimming
- Doing dog sports like agility, nosework, or frisbee
- Practicing training skills and commands
- Socializing with other dogs at the park
It is best to actively engage with your dog through play, exercise, and shared activities to strengthen your bond and provide fulfilling mental stimulation. While the occasional dog TV session might be entertaining, it should not replace interactive enrichment and quality time spent together.
Conclusion
While dogs can certainly enjoy watching TV, pet owners should take care to select appropriate programming. Animal shows, agility competitions, and nature documentaries make great viewing options that provide mental stimulation. However, fast-paced content, violence, and stressful imagery should be avoided. Keep the TV at a reasonable volume, supervise your dog’s viewing, and limit TV time in favor of physical activities and one-on-one play and training. With some common sense guidelines, letting your dog watch TV can be an enjoyable experience for both of you.