A study addressing the effects of television on dogs

Many dogs watch television and respond to what happens on the screen, according to new research that categorizes the number of dogs who do not see the footage as mere random clips but behave as if the scenes were real.

The researchers behind the new study, overseen by Lynn Montgomery from Auburn University in Alabama, USA, say, “Dogs experience a meaningful world full of things when they watch television.”

As for the study published in the journal “Scientific Reports,” about 450 dog owners completed a detailed questionnaire about their pet’s behavior in front of the television in everyday situations.

It is reported that dogs reacted strongly to images of animals and sounds such as barking and tones, often wagging their tails and closely following the movement on the screen.

The researchers distinguished between reactions to animal scenes and other types of scenes, as well as between passive attention and active engagement.

The team said that the temperament of the dogs individually was crucial to their behavior. Dogs that are easily excited were more likely to follow movements on the screen, while anxious dogs reacted more to sounds. However, the age, breed, or gender of the animal did not play a role.

The study indicated that screen content can serve as an additional form of distraction for dogs, for example, in animal shelters or during their owner’s prolonged absence, provided that the content is suitable for each dog’s personality.

However, the study is limited; the team itself acknowledges that it is based on reports provided by the owners, excludes dogs that are not interested in the shots on the screens, and lacks objective behavioral analyses. Therefore, the researchers recommend further studies under controlled conditions.