What Do Dogs See When They Watch TV?
We have all watched TV alongside our furry friends and wondered what is happening in their heads. It is not unusual for a family to relax in front of the TV screen at night to enjoy their favorite show with their favorite furry friends. I love a good movie night with my pups when I even share my popcorn with them. However, like other pet parents, I often wonder, do my dogs watch TV too?
Do our dogs understand what is happening in the show, or are they completely oblivious? According to a study completed by Rover, ⅔ of parents leave the television on for their pups while away, 60% say dogs have a favorite show, and 80% report that their dog does react to what’s occurring on-screen.
But do dogs watch our TV shows and process what is happening? Do they recognize other dogs barking or get scared of loud noises on television shows? Here is what occurs when your Fido watches TV.
What Do Dogs See?
Contrary to popular belief, most dogs cannot see what we do while watching TV. Canine vision is different than ours, so they cannot see the same as human eyes do. However, when dogs watch TV, they can generally recognize what they hear and see. This means usually dogs recognize other animals if they are paying attention.
Dogs’ eyes are structured differently and affect how our furry friends perceive the world around them. Inside a dog’s eyes, there are two types of cones: a type of photoreceptor cell located in the retina. Unlike the two cones inside of a dog’s eyes, humans have three. This means that dogs are sensitive to and cannot differentiate between colors like we can. Different breeds of dogs see things differently, as well. Several species have various visual activities, meaning different shapes and numbers of visual receptors.
To understand what dogs see when they watch TV, think about what humans see when we watch TV. We see a fluid picture across the screen. Unlike humans, dogs do not see a consistent vision of television, but they typically see a flickering image. This is especially true of older TVs, on which there is much less fluid motion than in real life. More modern televisions like HD/4K ones are a lot more fluid for our furry friends as they refresh at a quicker rate. These high-resolution pictures are making it easier for dogs to watch TV with their humans!
Regardless of the age of your television, a dog must be paying attention to recognize other animals or react to noises on the TV. Does your dog watch TV? Or do they prefer to snuggle under the blankets while you enjoy some comfort shows?
Dog TV
Our four-legged friends do have favorites in the subject matter for television shows – they love watching shows about dogs. Dogs prefer and are more attentive to shows that feature animals, barks, whines, and praise.
Dog-loving TV producers have taken advantage of interested dogs who want to watch TV. For example, DOGTV launched to check these doggy-specific boxes in response to this information. After thorough scientific research, the station created shows that meet a dog’s vision and hearing needs. The channel was specifically designed to have more frames per second than a typical TV would to make watching for dogs easier. DOGTV says that by watching this channel, dogs will be “less likely to develop stress, separation anxiety, or other related problems.”
Separation anxiety is a behavioral problem that many dogs suffer from. They become distressed when their owners leave them alone, often leading to destructive behaviors like barking, chewing up furniture, or potty accidents. It is a stressful challenge for both dogs and their owners. Separation anxiety can affect any dog, regardless of different breeds, background, or age.
There are many different ways to handle separation anxiety; medication, behavioral modification, hiring a dog-walker, crate training, or calming music. Another option is DOGTV! Pet parents with pups dealing with separation anxiety might find leaving DOGTV on as a great solution when they leave the house. Not only are the images easier for them to watch, but they also focus on calming sounds, helping alleviate stress, and allowing dogs to learn to relax when you are away.
Do Dogs Enjoy TV?
Different personalities will react differently to television. Some are more reactive to television shows than others, depending on the breed. For example, herding breeds watch TV more intently than others as they were born to observe moving objects. Some dogs are more prone than others to react, especially when they see other dogs on the TV. For these dogs, watching TV might be too stressful as they have difficulty differentiating between a real animal vs. animals on the TV.
Other senses come into play when you are sitting down in front of the television with your pup. Some dogs, especially dogs who are already sensitive, are more prone to react to sounds on the TV. This includes dogs barking and squeaky noises. Dog owners with extravagant sound systems might notice their sensitive dog run and hide when they are watching their favorite war epic or superhero movie. Dogs’ hearing is usually much better than human hearing. This means those tiny little vibrations and huge booms created by your subwoofer are more upsetting to your dog. Often, certain breeds or pups with bad past experiences might be more reactive to loud noises on your TV.
Try different television shows with your dog to see which ones they are more excited about. Maybe even leave a channel on when you leave home to try soothing their anxiety. Every doggy reacts differently to stimuli, so it is unclear whether all dogs enjoy TV or not. By testing out the theory, you can try catering to your furry friend’s needs. If your dog is reactive or sensitive to the TV, perhaps talk to a dog trainer to help condition them to be able to join you for movie night!