Alice White
At the end of the day or in rainy weather, not only do many people appreciate a certain program such as sports or series on the sofa, but also some dogs. But: do dogs really see certain images on TV?
What Do Dogs Recognize in Videos or TV Shows?
In contrast to us humans, dogs are not “eye animals”: They perceive the world primarily with their noses and ears. They may see less clearly and with less color, but their sense of sight is designed to recognize rapid movements. Read more about how dogs see the world in this post. For the common television, this means: Your four-legged friend only recognizes movements from a frame rate of 75 Hertz – this corresponds to 75 individual images per second – as flowing. The modern televisions mostly have 100 Hertz and more. If you have an older model at home, your four-legged friend will perceive videos as individual still images in quick succession. That doesn’t matter, because even modern televisions are pure background sound for most dogs. After all, neither smell nor noise is particularly interesting or realistic for the four-legged friend. What is much more important to the dog when watching TV is being with you! That’s why many four-legged friends enjoy watching TV together!
Some owners report that their animal companion reacts to the content of films or documentaries. In documentaries, the sight of a running rabbit can be exciting – especially for young or very playful dogs. In addition, some four-legged friends react intensely to the mood of their owners when watching TV. For example, they join in cheering by barking at football or become restless when a horror film is playing. Finally, the biped is nervously nibbling his fingernails. So it is better not to get too involved.
Tip: Use small breaks for relaxing dog scratching or a trick or two including extensive praise.
What Do Dogs Like to Watch Most on TV?
Although dogs are typically not avid TV viewers, they even have dedicated dog channels like Dog TV. Dog TV was founded in California in 2012 and aims to keep dogs bored while their two-legged friends are away. The makers are firmly convinced that they know what dogs like to see best: conspecifics or moving balls, while soothing music is playing in the background. The programs are tailored to the limited color perception of dogs and their taste in music. Check out some of Dog TV’s YouTube videos for a taste. The comments reveal: Many people also seem to like to relax with the dog videos. In Germany, the offer was available for a few years via Telekom Entertain; it is currently available via a paid account on the broadcaster’s website. But dogs that are well utilized can certainly do without this special TV entertainment.
