Introduction
At night when you sit down to watch a movie and your dog sits next to you, are they just doing it out of habit or are they able to watch that video with you? Since it is on a screen, are their eyes able to pick up what is happening? Are they even able to see it at all?
The Signs Your Dog Enjoys Television
Firstly, keep an eye on your pup and pay attention to what their ears are doing. If their ears shoot up straight, this is a sign that they hear something, so if they are actually watching, they will show that by their ear movements.
Another sign is if they become very alert. You can tell this by their stance. It will become very rigid and upright, which indicates that they are paying attention. Another sign to look out for is if they are staring. If their eyes are following the characters on the screen, this shows that they are able to see the visuals on the television.
Lastly, if your dog starts barking at the television, chances are they are reacting to something they hear or see on the screen. This is a good indicator that they are able to see or hear the video. These signs are proof that dogs are able to understand television - at least to some degree. They can differentiate between a human and another animal in the video.
Body Language
- Staring
- Alert
- Barking
- Raise ears
Other Signs
- Reacting to Animals on the Screen
- Different Alertness Depending on Video
- Joining You Whenever a Video is On
The History of Dogs Watching Videos
Televisions have become such a huge part of our homes and we share that space with our canine companions. There have been numerous studies completed showing how dogs are able to react to different things on the screen. They are able to tell the difference between seeing a human or seeing a dog on television.
Curiously enough, they are also able to tell if there is a different species on the television, even if they have never encountered it in real life before. They may not be able to know what the creature is, but they are able to recognize it is different than anything else they have ever seen. With how rapidly technology is evolving, it is almost certain that concepts will be created to maybe even give your pup a better television experience.
The Science Behind Pups and Videos
A study was done by The University of Central Lancashire that proved dogs are indeed able to watch videos and, to some extent, understand what they are watching. We still do not know if they can actually enjoy what they are watching, but they have shown that they prefer some videos over others.
Training Your Pup to React to Videos
If you find that your dog barks every single time a cat shows up on the video, that may not be the most relaxing thing to hear continuously. What you can do about that is whenever they start barking, you can sternly tell them "no" and make them realize that is not okay. You do not want to encourage this behavior, even if it seems funny or cute the first few times. If you do, you will find that they will continue doing it because they think you approve of it. If they continue to watch and are not reacting by barking, then they have officially learned how best to react. Make sure you praise them for being such a good pup!
Animals all react differently to what is put in front of them, so dogs with varying personalities may require different methods of training in regards to responding to videos. If a dog is scared of thunder and you are watching a movie that includes noises that sound similar to thunder, chances are that your dog is going to respond as if the thunder was real. In these instances, try to draw them closer to the speakers with treats to condition them in a positive way, or just turn down your surround sound. Do your best not to reinforce their terror, as they may continue to display an unhealthy fear of storms and storm sounds if this happens.
How to React to Your Dog Watching Videos
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If you see your dog sitting and staring at the video wagging their tail, chances are they are enjoying something they see. Give them some good loving and treats to show you approve of how they are acting.
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If you see your dog jumping at the television or barking, make sure you get their attention and sternly tell them no, then have them go lay down.
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If your dog is growling or backing away from the video, this is showing they are scared. At this point, you can change the channel so they will realize there is no reason for fear.