Your pet pooch’s personality might affect how they respond to TV shows. New research suggests a fascinating connection regarding how a dog interacts with the screen. These findings could inform the care and training of our animal companions.
A team from Auburn University in Alabama led the study. They identified 453 dog owners. These owners reported their canine pals showed TV interest. Data on this behavior came from owner questionnaires.
PERSONALITY SHAPES CANINE VIEWING
Dogs with more excitable personalities showed distinct patterns. They were more likely to follow on-screen objects. Conversely, fearful or anxious dogs reacted differently. They responded more to non-animal stimuli. Doorbells or cars on screen would trigger reactions.
“These results suggest television viewing habits may be predicted by personality,” researchers write. Dogs may represent 2D TV objects similarly to 3D environments. How dogs perceive TV in relation to the real world remains unclear. Existing studies on this topic are limited. They often have small sample sizes and narrow scopes.
WHAT CAPTURES A DOG’S ATTENTION?
As a group, study dogs responded more to other animals on screen. Objects like cars garnered less attention. Canine watching sessions averaged just over 14 minutes. Researchers noted several factors that didn’t influence viewing habits. These included age, sex, and breed. How long a dog was exposed to TV also made no difference. Their responses remained consistent.
Furthermore, auditory and visual stimuli showed little difference. The type of stimuli was more important. For example, a dog or a car mattered most. Whether it was seen or just heard made less impact.
IMPLICATIONS FOR DOG WELFARE
“Further evaluation of these behaviors could result in appropriate application,” researchers state. This includes TV interventions in shelters. Such interventions could be based on individual temperament. Maximizing TV programming as an enrichment tool is another benefit. Screening TV content for potential stressors is also possible.
The study did focus on the pets already interested in television. It also relied on owner reports. This makes broader generalization more difficult. However, a new tool shows great promise.
THE PROMISING DOG TELEVISION VIEWING SCALE
The Dog Television Viewing Scale (DTVS) was developed by researchers. It offers a way to assess canine thoughts. This tool can now gather more data. It will explore canine viewing habits further.
This new research adds much-needed understanding. It builds upon earlier studies. We learn more about what they think of TV. We can better understand their show preferences. With dedicated networks for dogs already running, this is timely. It seems fair to understand what they prefer to watch.
“These results inform the perceptual experience of companion dogs,” researchers conclude. They also highlight “potential dog welfare interventions.” In practice, television engagement could be enriching. It could provide a meaningful experience for dogs. The findings were published in Scientific Reports.
