Why Do Some Dogs Like Watching TV? What Dogs See on Screen

The first time a puppy or adult dog spots a television can be amusing, especially when there are other dogs barking on screen! Many dogs become fascinated watching people, animals, and lively scenes on TV. Sometimes, your dog might even try to look behind the screen, curious about where these mysterious creatures are hiding.

While some dogs quickly learn to ignore the television, others remain captivated, often enjoying having the TV on when left alone. If your dog is interested in the screen or reacts to certain images or sounds, you might wonder why and what exactly they perceive when watching TV.

What Do Dogs See and Hear When They Watch TV?

Dogs see the world differently from humans; this unique vision affects how they view television images. Humans possess trichromatic vision, with three colour receptors allowing us to distinguish green, red, and blue hues in fine detail. Dogs, however, have dichromatic vision with only two colour receptors, perceiving shades of blue and yellow but missing reds and greens.

This means a red ball on green grass, for instance, may blend for a dog, whether on TV or outdoors. However, images with contrasting blue and yellow shades stand out more vividly to them.

Moreover, dogs’ eyes are finely tuned to detect movement. They are more likely to pay attention to fast action or animated scenes rather than slow, static images.

Interestingly, dogs can detect flicker in older, analogue televisions since their eyes register changing images faster than ours. Modern high-definition TVs with higher frame rates offer smoother visuals that dogs find less flickery and easier to watch.

Regarding sound, dogs hear an even wider range of frequencies than humans, so they may pick up subtle noises from a TV that we miss. This acute hearing often draws their attention to specific sounds like barking or squeaking.

How Do Dogs Perceive Television?

The concept of television is naturally complex for dogs. Those unfamiliar with TV may pace or circle around trying to identify the source of sound and movement, indicating they don’t quite comprehend what they’re witnessing.

Shows with suspenseful or exciting soundtracks can intrigue dogs, while potentially alarming scenes do not necessarily evoke fear the way humans experience it. Some dogs may become excited or curious, but they do not interpret TV images as literal threats.

Why Do Some Dogs Like to Watch TV?

Interest in television varies by individual dogs. Some may be drawn to specific colours, motion, or sounds that stand out to their senses. More often, dogs enjoy watching TV because it is a shared activity with their owners, bringing comfort and a sense of companionship.

Breeds with strong scenting instincts, such as the beagle and the bloodhound, may be less visually focused and thus less interested in TV. Conversely, movement-sensitive breeds like the greyhound and Border collie are often more captivated by screens due to their heightened visual acuity.

TV Shows and Channels Designed for Dogs

Did you know there is a television channel specifically created for canine viewers? DogTV offers programming tailored to dogs’ visual and auditory capabilities, with faster frame rates and colour palettes suited to their dichromatic vision.

In 2012, Baker’s dog food ran a UK advert designed to attract dogs by incorporating sounds they can hear and blue-tinted imagery to catch their attention. Your dog might have reacted to this commercial back then, showing how targeted content can engage canine viewers.