Have you ever sat down to watch TV, only to have a little furry head pop up and completely block your vision? Is your dog actually watching TV when they sit in front of the screen and stare at it or bark? What exactly is it that attracts your dog to the TV? Can dogs really see TV the way we do? Are they interested in TV shows made for dogs? Let’s find out.
Have you ever caught your furry friend staring intently at the TV screen when another dog appears? Maybe your pup even barks at the four-legged characters or tries to get behind the TV to find them? As a dog owner myself, I’ve always wondered if my dog Buddy is actually seeing what I’m seeing, or if there’s something else going on
Well, I’ve done some digging into the research, and the answer is fascinating Not only do most dogs watch TV, but they have clear preferences about what they like to see – and other dogs top the list!
The Truth About Dogs Watching TV
According to research led by Freya Mowat from the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a surprising 72% of dogs actively watch TV or computer screens at least once per day But before you start thinking your pup is binge-watching like you do, most dogs only stay engaged for about 1-5 minutes at a time
When our canine companions do watch TV, they show their interest in pretty specific ways:
- Turning their head to track images
- Moving their ears
- Approaching the screen
- Making sounds like barks, growls, or whimpers
Younger dogs seem more interested in TV than older dogs. And while both visual and sound stimuli might catch their attention, movement on screen is about 15% more likely to grab their focus than any sound.
Dogs Really DO Prefer Watching Other Dogs!
Here’s the exciting part – the research confirms what many of us dog parents suspected. When it comes to what programs dogs enjoy most, videos featuring other dogs rank #1!
In Mowat’s study, participants showed their dogs specially prepared clips featuring:
- A dog
- A large cat
- A bird
- Highway traffic
And yep, the dog video attracted the highest interest by far. This wasn’t just a fluke – the broader study showed dogs have a general preference for animal content, with canines taking the top spot.
Interestingly, humans on screen weren’t particularly captivating to dogs. Videos featuring people ranked only 9th out of 17 categories, just ahead of cartoons and animations.
My neighbor’s Golden Retriever, Max, perfectly illustrates this. He completely ignores most TV shows until a dog appears – then he’s instantly alert, head tilted, ears perked up. The transformation is remarkable!
Can Dogs Actually See What’s On TV?
OK, so they watch, but do they really see what we see? Well, yes and no.
Dogs see TV differently than humans do in several important ways:
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Color Vision: Dogs have dichromatic vision (two types of color receptors) versus our trichromatic vision (three types). They mainly see blues, yellows, and some greens – not reds.
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Visual Acuity: Dogs have blurrier vision than humans, closer to 20/75 vision compared to our 20/20. This might explain why they often sit closer to the screen!
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Motion Sensitivity: Dog eyes have more rod cells, making them extremely sensitive to movement. This explains why motion on screen captivates them so quickly.
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Refresh Rate Perception: On older TVs, dogs could actually see the screen flickering (up to 75 hertz) while we couldn’t (we only notice flickers below 55 hertz). Newer HDTVs refresh at higher rates, providing a better viewing experience for both species.
What’s fascinating is that dogs process what they see on TV differently than reality. Since they can’t smell what’s on screen (and smell is their dominant sense), they likely understand that TV images aren’t “real” in the same way as actual animals.
Which Dogs Are Most Likely To Watch TV?
Not all dogs are created equal when it comes to TV viewing habits. The research shows that:
- Breed matters: Herding and sporting breeds are the most likely TV watchers
- Non-sporting and working dogs are least likely to become couch potatoes
- Younger dogs watch more TV than older dogs
- Individual personality plays a huge role regardless of breed
My friend has two dogs from the same litter – one is glued to animal shows while the other couldn’t care less! It really does come down to the individual dog.
The Tale of Flint and the Giant TV Rats
One of my favorite stories from the research comes from Stanley Coren, a professor of psychology. He had a Cairn terrier named Flint who was mostly casual about TV watching – until one fateful night.
Flint was watching TV with Coren when a scene featuring a mass of rats appeared on screen. Being a terrier (bred specifically to hunt rats), Flint became extremely agitated. When the rats suddenly stampeded toward the camera, Flint launched himself off the sofa and attacked the wooden TV stand, desperately trying to get at what he perceived as giant invading rodents!
Even after the scene ended, Flint proudly walked around with his tail up, clearly satisfied that he’d protected his home from the vermin invasion.
This story perfectly illustrates how dogs’ natural instincts influence what captivates them on screen.
What This Means For You and Your Dog
So, should you be curating a special TV playlist for your furry friend? Maybe!
If you want to maximize your dog’s viewing pleasure:
- Choose programs with other dogs – this is their clear preference
- Look for content with blues and yellows rather than reds (which they can’t see well)
- Keep sessions short since dogs typically only watch for a few minutes
- Consider your dog’s breed – sporting and herding dogs are most likely to engage
- Be mindful of content – some dogs might get stressed by certain scenes (like poor Flint with the rats!)
There’s even a dedicated channel called DogTV that prioritizes blue and yellow colors in its programming specifically for canine viewers.
Should You Leave The TV On For Your Dog When You’re Away?
Many of us feel guilty leaving our dogs home alone and wonder if the TV might keep them company. While the research doesn’t conclusively prove it helps, it probably doesn’t hurt either.
Most dogs likely prefer watching TV with their humans for companionship. When alone, they might just sleep or do their own thing instead. But having some background noise might make the time pass more quickly until you return.
If you do leave the TV on:
- Keep the volume low
- Make sure your dog can move away from the TV if they choose
- Consider content that won’t cause anxiety (maybe skip the shows with doorbell sounds or aggressive barking!)
My Personal Experience
I’ve noticed my dog Charlie has very specific TV preferences. He completely ignores most shows, but if a dog appears – especially if it barks – his head snaps toward the screen. Basketball games also fascinate him, probably because of the fast-moving ball.
What’s really funny is how he’ll sometimes walk behind the TV looking for the dogs he just saw! Even though he clearly knows they’re not real (he doesn’t smell them), something about the visual and audio cues triggers his curiosity.
The most engaged I’ve ever seen him was during a documentary about wolves. He sat transfixed for nearly 15 minutes – an eternity in dog TV-watching time!
The Science Behind Dog TV Watching
The research into dogs watching TV isn’t just for fun – it has practical applications too. Scientists like Freya Mowat hope to use what they learn to develop better methods for assessing canine vision and measuring how aging affects dogs’ eyesight.
Current vision assessment methods for dogs are extremely basic compared to human eye tests. By understanding what visual content engages dogs most effectively, researchers might develop the equivalent of a “dog eye chart” for more sensitive vision testing.
Final Thoughts
So yes, dogs definitely do enjoy watching other dogs on TV! The research confirms what many of us suspected – our canine companions are most interested in seeing their own kind on screen.
Whether your dog is a casual TV watcher or becomes totally entranced by certain programs, it’s just another fascinating aspect of their complex sensory world. And next time you catch your pup staring at the screen, you’ll have a better understanding of what they might be experiencing.
Do your dogs watch TV? What kinds of programs seem to catch their attention? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!
Quick Reference: What Dogs Like To Watch On TV
| Content Type | Dog Interest Level |
|---|---|
| Dogs | Highest |
| Other animals | High |
| Sports with balls | Moderate |
| Humans | Low-Moderate |
| Cartoons | Low |
| Inanimate objects | Very Low |
Remember, every dog is unique, and what fascinates one might bore another. The key is paying attention to what makes YOUR dog’s tail wag when the TV is on!
Should You Leave the TV on for Your Dog?
Dogs watching TV has become a “thing” to the point that there are now channels devoted to dogs and marketing messages that dog TV will calm and relax your dog. Is this true? The jury is out.
More than likely, dogs prefer to watch TV with their owners for companionship. When they’re alone, they’re more likely to just curl up to sleep or do their own thing.
However, if your dog seems to like watching TV, you aren’t likely doing any harm by leaving it on when you go out or as long as TV time doesn’t interfere with playtime, outdoor time, or social time together.
Just hearing the sounds of TV (or even a radio) might be stimulating enough to make the time pass more quickly until you come home. Keep it at a low volume and make sure your dog can move away from the TV if they choose to (for example, if they are crate training or confined to a room with the TV on).
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Sandra Mitchell is a 1995 graduate of the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine. Since graduation, she has worked in many fields…
Why Do Some Dogs Watch TV and Others Don’t?
Just like people, dogs will get varying enjoyment out of the TV. Different breeds (and different individual dogs) have differing sight capacity, so some dogs may be able to see what is happening on TV better than others.
If a dog can easily see and recognize a dog chasing something across a screen, they may be more engaged than a dog that relies more heavily on sense of smell or hearing. And some dogs may be more easily “fooled” by the s on the screen, while others are a little more perceptive in knowing that what they see is not real.
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FAQ
Do dogs watch TV?
Videos of animals were most popular, especially programs featuring dogs. Videos of human were not as engaging. Breed matters, with sporting dogs and herding dogs being the most likely to view video images. Does your dog watch television? Does he have a favorite program or style of programming?
Do dogs like TV?
Indeed, by tracking their vision using similar methods used on humans, research has found that domestic dogs do prefer certain images and videos. This research indicates that dogs have a preference towards watching other canines – but our studies have also discovered that sound often initially attracts dogs towards television and other devices.
Can dogs see TV shows?
A: Yes, dogs can see the images on TV, but their vision is not as sharp as humans. They are better at detecting movement and are more attuned to certain colors, such as yellow and blue. Q: Are there specific kinds of TV shows or movies that are better for dogs to watch?
Do young dogs watch TV more than older dogs?
Younger dogs were more likely to watch television than their older counterparts. Although both visual and sound stimuli might attract the dogs to the TV, the sight of movement was 15 percent more likely than any sound to capture a dog’s attention. Program content seemed to be critical when it comes to canine viewer preference.
What TV shows do dogs like?
One type of TV show that dogs tend to enjoy is nature documentaries. These programs often feature animals moving in their natural habitats, which can be fascinating and engaging for dogs. Additionally, the sounds of other animals and the outdoors can pique their interest and keep them entertained.
Are dogs attracted to TV?
Dogs were not particularly attracted to program content featuring sports—although, if a ball was involved (particularly basketball and soccer) just over one-quarter of the dogs who watched TV would turn their attention to the screen. A dog’s breed also predicts the likelihood that he will watch a video screen.
Do dogs like watching other dogs on TV?
Yes, dogs generally show more interest in watching TV when other animals, especially other dogs, are on screen compared to other content. Studies have found that videos of animals are the most engaging for dogs, capturing their attention more than programs featuring people or abstract imagery. This interest is thought to be related to their reliance on visual cues and the social significance of other dogs.
Is it good for dogs to watch dogs on TV?
Do dogs actually like it when you leave the TV on for them?
Here are some considerations: Benefits: Background Noise: The sound of the TV can provide comforting background noise, which may help reduce anxiety and loneliness, especially if your dog is alone for long periods. Visual Stimulation: Dogs may enjoy watching movement on the screen, which can keep them entertained.
Do dogs enjoy being in dog shows?
That said, not all dogs will enjoy the environment of a dog show, which can be noisy and crowded. Some dogs may feel stressed in such situations. Ultimately, a dog’s enjoyment of a dog show can depend on their individual temperament and experiences.