STUDY: DOGS WATCH TV

A groundbarking study from Auburn University reveals that dogs are far more sophisticated TV viewers than anyone imagined. Rather than mindlessly watching whatever happens to be on (* like us!), dogs demonstrate genuine interest in television, and they have distinct preferences. In questioning dog owners, the researchers asked: Does the dog follow objects that move off-screen? Do they bark at certain sounds? How do they react to different animals versus humans or inanimate objects like cars? Here are some of the findings:
– 88.3% of dogs studied were reported to actively respond to television content.
– Dogs showed heightened interest in programs featuring other dogs, household pets like cats, and wild animals.
– Some dogs exhibited what researchers termed “anticipatory following,” tracking objects like a tennis ball moving across the screen and even looking behind the television as if expecting to find the disappeared object.
– Some dogs with higher anxiety levels exhibited what researchers called “cautious behavior. They reacted strongly to loud noises like doorbells or car horns, and loud human voices, and rapid movement on the screen.
* For some reason, they love that Owen Wilson show called “Stick.”
* And they love reruns of “Bones.”
* But they hated the show “Black Lightning.” Made them hide under the bed.
* My dog thinks The Dog Whisperer is a horror show.
* The weird thing is, dogs like watching TV but they feel most streaming series would have made a better 2-hour movie.
* PHONE TOPIC: Does your dog watch TV? What show does he like?