Do Dogs Benefit from Watching Television? Ask a Snellville Dog Walker
Often, the last step on our way out the door is to
click on the TV, so pets don’t feel like they are alone. Owners can spot
Fido staring intently at the show they are watching, and sometimes they even
bark back when Rin Tin Tin reruns come on.
Some owners might ask; do pets even benefit from
having the television going? If dogs do, how can owners choose programs
that stimulate pets while they are gone? 2 Paws Up Inc. did the research
and is here with the results.
Which
Dogs Respond to Television?
The facts are in; some dogs are fully capable of
watching television when the subject matter interests them. All dogs have
a much stronger sense of smell than they do vision, seeing the colors of yellow
and blue most clearly handicaps them a little. Dogs who are most likely
to watch TV also have better vision, such as Greyhounds, Whippets, and
Rhodesian Ridgebacks. These breeds, among others, were bred to hunt by
sight and speed, so would be able to track motion on television much easier
than a bloodhound.
Not all dogs will show interest in television.
Breeds with the best eyesight are most likely to respond to a TV being left on
for them as opposed to breeds who use mostly scent. To test this, show
your dog videos of dogs barking and running. If your dog shows an
interest in YouTube videos or Animal Planet episodes, chances are they would
enjoy some digital companionship.
What
are Dogs Responding To?
A dog will be most interested in exciting stimuli,
such as other dogs running, dogs barking, or dogs socializing. When the
dog shows interest in another pet running through a field barking, they will
try to interact with the video as they would in real life; by barking and
trying to sniff or approach it. When faced with a new experience, a dog
would normally do exploratory behaviors; sniffing, barking, approaching.
It is likely that a dog would lose interest once these exploratory behaviors
stayed one-sided.
Once a dog loses interest in TV, they are less
likely to pay attention to it so that an ideal TV program would have constantly
changing subjects.
How
to Use Television in Training
Knowing which dogs will respond to TV and what they
are interested in is one thing, but knowing how to use this interest to your
advantage can be a game-changer. If your dog is a habitual watcher,
including a television in your training habits, can give you an extra edge.
If your dog has separation anxiety when you leave
your home, try recording your family during social interactions, such as dinner
or when having friends over. When leaving for a short time, put this
taped encounter on your television. Hearing your voices and the sound of
humans in the home can distract your dog from destructive behaviors, and your
immediate return before they can lose interest in the recording interrupts the
anxiety loop. Start making your trips from home longer and longer while
playing this tape to help your pet ease their separation anxiety.
If your pet barks like a maniac every time, the
garbage man comes by (or postal worker, or Girl Scout entrepreneurs, etc.) try
making a tape with several visits from this aggravating visitor. Play
this video on repeat so that your dog hears the sounds of the approaching truck
or person and can see them approaching on the TV. By getting your dog used
to the sounds of this guest without them invading their territory, they will
become less likely to respond to it in real life. The mad barking that
wakes the dead will become less and less likely as you play the tape.
These training aids are only a few of the several
ways you can incorporate television into your pets’ life. Even if your
dog shows no interest in the TV, there is no harm in leaving it on. Maybe
your pet will still get a few benefits when it comes to screen time, and maybe
it is only you who will get peace of mind while you are away. Either way,
it is worth the extra screen time.
Do you have any funny stories about your dog
interacting with your TV? Please share them in the comments! We, at 2
Paws Up Inc Pet Sitting, Dog Walking, and Dog Training would love to hear your
story!
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