Picture this: you are lounging on the couch, binge-watching tv with your pup. He hogs the covers while nibbling on your plain popcorn. As you are whittling down your watch list, you notice your dog glance at the TV and tilt his head. Then, he barks and starts wagging his tail. What is going on? Can your dog see and hear TV the same way you do? What shows attract his attention? And maybe, more importantly, would your canine be interested in tv for dogs?
To answer these questions, we are diving into the science behind your dog's sight and hearing. We are also digging into why there is a TV channel for dogs, what is on DOGTV, and where you can stream doggy television.
HOW DO DOGS SEE AND HEAR TV?
Dogs can see TV, but they have dichromatic vision. That means they can see violet-blue, yellow, and shades of gray. Basically, they are red-green color blind. In your dog’s eyes, red roses look black or dark brownish-gray. And green grass looks yellowish. That means a dog swimming in clear blue water, playing with a yellow ball, would be very exciting. But a dog sitting beside a red porch swing with a red dog bone would be very boring.
While dogs have a wider field of vision and can see better in dim light, they are also nearsighted. They have 20/75 vision. Dogs have to be 2 feet from a TV to see it as well as humans do standing 6 feet away.
Dog ears are also very different from human ears, so they hear the TV differently. Humans cannot hear sounds higher than 20,000 hertz, but canines can hear sounds between 47,000 and 65,000 hertz. They are also great at picking up low-frequency sounds emitted by DVRs and laptop computer fans. That is why you should not crank the volume all the way up for your TV.
WHAT TYPE OF CONTENT DO DOGS LIKE TO WATCH?
Most dogs like programs that feature balls, frisbees, and real animals (such as birds, squirrels, rabbits, or other dogs) in motion. They also like the soothing sounds of nature. Think birds singing, wind rustling trees, and water trickling over rocks.
Puppies as young as 2 months old may like animated TV shows and movies. Many cartoon characters like Minnie Mouse or Donald Duck have high–pitched voices and a vowel-heavy vocabulary. Scientists say this baby talk grabs your puppy’s attention. A 2017 study also found that adult dogs are drawn to women’s voices. A female’s average vocal range is from 165-255 hertz while a male's vocal range is 85-155 hertz. In general, women’s voices are an octave higher than men’s.
WILL MY DOG WATCH TV?
Dogs will not sit in front of the boob tube and binge-watch TV shows as humans do. Most puppies and senior dogs only have 1-2 minute attention spans.
Some breeds (and different individual dogs) also may not care for TV. For example, sighthounds like whippets have long snouts that can cause a slight difference in how they see colors. Bloodhounds also have been called a nose with a dog attached. Because they have more scent receptors than any other dog breed, they may quickly realize that the images on the screen are not real.
THE TV CHANNEL FOR DOGS
Considered a new breed of television, DOGTV is a 24/7 subscription-based TV channel geared toward dogs. The streaming service was scientifically developed to entertain and comfort stay-at-home canines.
Based on more than 60 different scientific studies, DOGTV boasts doggy-tailored content shot in 30 locations worldwide. The 3-5 minute episodes are designed to relax or stimulate your dog. They are also set up to help him cope with scary sights and sounds through exposure therapy.
Filmed by some of the world's top dog experts, DOGTV is formatted to suit your pup’s seeing and hearing abilities. Episodes are specially colored with yellow, blue, and gray tones. They have classical, soft rock, or reggae background music. With a refresh rate above 100 hertz, DOGTV also has a smooth picture that is perfect for continuous canine viewing.
WHAT IS ON DOGTV?
DOGTV does not have any steamy romances, side-splitting comedies, or edge-of-your-seat thrillers. Rather, the canine streaming service was created to enrich your dog’s environment. It is divided into 3 content types: stimulation, relaxation, and exposure.
- Stimulation shows encourage playfulness and movement. They feature nature and animal scenes, animated sequences, and moving objects like balls and frisbees.
- Relaxation shows melt away your pooch’s anxiety with slow-moving visuals and classical music.
- Exposure programs feature people, animals, objects, and sounds that might make your dog nervous. Based on the most advanced veterinary science, they gradually introduce him to everyday stimuli, such as vacuums and thunderstorms.
DOGTV also has hundreds of exciting, educational, and entertaining primetime shows for dog owners. DOGTV originals include The Adoption Show, The Dog Chef, Things We Woof About, The Happy Puppy, and Tricks for Treats.
WHERE IS DOGTV AVAILABLE?
DOGTV is available in 14 countries, including Australia, Brazil, China, Denmark, France, Israel, South Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
WHERE CAN YOU WATCH DOGTV?
When you sign up for a DOGTV.com subscription, you can stream DOGTV on Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, and iOS/Android devices. Have cable or satellite TV? Watch DOGTV on Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Dish Network, DirecTV, RCN, Mediacom, and Sling TV.
HOW MUCH DOES DOGTV COST?
DOGTV's cost depends on how long you subscribe and whether you sign up through a video streaming system like Amazon Fire TV or a cable provider. As of May 2022, here are DOGTV prices.
Subscription prices in 2022:
Amazon Fire TV, DOGTV.com, Roku, Apple TV, and iOS/Android:
- $9.99/month (33¢/day)
- $59.99/year (16¢/day)
- $4.99/month (16¢/day)
DOGTV Enrichment Box: For an extra $57, U.S. customers can get a DOGTV Blanket, a Rubber Bone Toy, a Popcorn Plush Toy, and Smoky Sweet Duck Sticks.
Sales tax: Online sales tax is different in each state and will be added at checkout. Five states (i.e., Delaware, Alaska, Oregon, Montana, and New Hampshire) do not collect internet sales tax.
DOES DOGTV HAVE A FREE TRIAL?
DOGTV is offering an exclusive 1-month free trial to DJANGO Dog Blog readers. Use this link or simply enter promo code “DJANGO” at checkout.
Keep in mind that unless you cancel your DOGTV subscription, you will automatically be charged $9.99/month or $59.99/year once the free 1-month trial concludes.
THE BOTTOM LINE
While every canine is unique, DOGTV may be ideal for your anxious or high-energy pup. It might also keep your recovering dog calm after surgery. Have long work days? Consider using the streaming service to relieve your dog’s stress and anxiety when you're stuck at the office or on a Zoom meeting from home. While DOGTV should never replace bonding time with your pooch, it is a wonderful option to explore for when your pup is home alone and/or needs some soothing background entertainment.
