Ever wondered what keeps your furry friend glued to the television screen?
Is your dog a TV addict? The study suggests there’s a good chance they are!
In a recent study involving over 1,000 dog owners, researchers discovered that a staggering eight out of ten dogs love watching TV. Labradors, especially, emerged as the most devoted viewers, with a penchant for programmes featuring other dogs, nature documentaries, cartoons, and, surprisingly, cats.
Winter sports and ice skating, however, failed to capture their attention.
The study revealed that a whopping 86 percent of dog owners reported their pets regularly tuning in to the television. These canine critics showcased discerning tastes, prompting some caution against leaving videos on for dogs left home alone, as 1 percent exhibited overexcitement, even lunging at the screen.
On a daily basis, a majority of dogs (72 percent) took a glance at the screen, with the average viewing session lasting around 20 minutes. However, delightful anecdotes surfaced, with some owners sharing stories of their pets sitting through entire movies, actively engaging with the plot.
Digging deeper into this peculiar canine pastime, researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison uncovered that dogs might be drawn to the TV by familiar sounds such as songs, voices, or jingles. The reactions varied, with 54 percent of dogs simply staring at the screen, while 19 percent expressed their opinions through barking, howling, whining, or growling.
Interestingly, dogs appeared to have a preference for newer TVs. In the words of one dog owner, “My pet showed greater interest in watching after the family upgraded.”
So, the next time you catch your canine companion gazing at the screen, you might be witnessing their own version of a movie night.
Man’s best friend seems to have some opinions on what makes for good television, offering a unique perspective on the world of entertainment for our furry friends.
