As we know, dogs show different behavior patterns among themselves, often showing different reactions to the same stimulus. This is what happens with TV; while some dogs completely ignore his presence, others remain attentive to every image he projects. This curious fact arouses all kinds of opinions among experts.
An example is the study carried out by a group of scientists from the Lyon Veterinary School, in France. Led by Dr. Dominique Autier-Dérian, this experiment demonstrated that dogs are able to identify other members of their own species, humans, and even other animals, through the screen of the TVTo do this, nine dogs were trained and presented with a series of images of different mammals, including they recognized and regrouped other dogs into the same category.
And it is that as the professor of Canine Psychology indicated to the BBC Stanley Coren, from the University of British Columbia, all dogs are capable of watching television, although this is conditioned by certain factors. One of them is the way they assimilate the movement of the screen; their eyes detect up to high refresh rates (around 70-80 Hz), while a frequency of 60 Hz is sufficient for humans to detect movement. This is why dogs don't capture continuous motion on old-fashioned televisions, but rather still images.
Also keep in mind the character of each dog. Not all are attracted to the same things. For example, they may pay special attention to images of other animals on the screen and ignore everything else. The same goes for the sounds the TV makes: they usually respond to loud noises, barking, crying, doorbells, etc. It all depends on the behavior and education of our pet.
How they really perceive TV
Canine vision is dichromatic: they distinguish above all blues and yellows, so reds and greens are less distinguishable for them. Even so, their visual system is very sensitive to movement and low light levels, making dynamic scenes easy to capture your attention.
With modern TVs (high frame rates and LCD/LED screens), dogs perceive the image as more fluid than on older CRTs, which seemed flickering to them. This technological leap explains why more and more dogs are showing interest in screens.
Furthermore, a preference for “natural” movement is key: research in canine cognition shows that they respond best to plausible locomotor patterns (for example, a quadruped walking) than to unnatural or inverted movements.
Distance also influences: dogs see less clearly than we do and tend to getting closer to the screen to decipher details, which is why some people look behind the TV when a dog appears.
Many dogs show short periods of interaction with technology, often few seconds, alternating glances at the screen with the surroundings to assess whether there are real signals nearby.
What attracts them: content, colors and sounds
Dogs usually prefer scenes with other dogs and animals, as well as objects that move quickly or change direction. Surveys of caregivers indicate that a large percentage approach the screen and vocalizes (barking, growling) in response to relevant stimuli; some even look behind the television to “see if it’s there.”
In comparisons of interest, dogs and other animals usually top the list, while human They occupy less prominent positions. However, each individual is unique, and personality carries a lot of weight.
The sound is decisive: barking, howling, bird calls, squealing or timbres trigger their attention. Many dogs differentiate well between natural sounds and artificial effects; excessive volume can cause alertness or fear, so it should be kept moderate.
The color range adapted to blues and yellows increases the salience of certain planes. That's why there are calibrated contents for canine vision, with colors, contrast and rhythm designed for them.
Attention tends to fade when the “subject of interest"He disappears from the scene, something that is characteristic of his way of processing relevant stimuli and moving between tasks.
Race, morphology, learning and imitation
The type of dog influences. Terriers and dogs work (herding, hunting) tend to react more to visual stimuli than bloodhounds, which are more guided by smell. Hunting hounds may show special interest in birds, consistent with his motivation.
Ocular morphology also counts: dogs with long muzzles tend to have a wider retinal visual band, with more cells to detect movement and contrast, while brachycephalics may have more restricted visual capacity.
When mounting multiple screens, it has been observed that they sometimes have difficulty choose; they alternate views without a clear preference, reinforcing the idea that their attention to TV is fragmented.
TV for dogs: usefulness and good practices
There are channels and platforms such as Dog TV that adjust frames, brightness, saturation, contrast and music for the canine audience, and organize short blocks of content (relaxation, stimulation and exhibition). Its objective is to accompany the dog in moments of solitude, not to replace walks, play or human bonding, and there are also remote control designed for dogs that explore technological interaction with dogs.
The available evidence suggests that certain audiovisual stimuli can help to reducir boredom or mild anxiety in some individuals, but it does not work the same for everyone nor does it replace real interaction.
Practical recommendations:
- Select content with animals and moderate rhythms; avoid loud or violent scenes.
- Control the volume and watch for signs of stress; if he or she becomes overly excited or barks, change or turn off.
- place the screen at a safe height to avoid jumping or impacts, and offer alternatives (chews, enrichment).
- Don't use the TV As a substitute caregiver: walking, playing, sniffing and resting remain the priority.
Dogs can recognize images and sounds on the screen, they react more to movement already biologically relevant stimuli, and their interest depends on race, personality, learning, and television technology. Television can be a timely and controlled support, but what they enjoy most is still spending time together. with you.
