Question

Dogs like watching TV and know what they're watching

Answer 1

I find this claim to be true. Besides looking at TikTok videos to find dogs indulging in whatever their owners are watching, there is a reason why dogs seem to be fascinated with watching the silver screen--they have what is called dichromatic vision. Think of it as a human being colorblind, only being able to see blues and yellows. This is because their eyes contain blue sensitive cones (S-Cones) and yellow-sensitive cones. These colors, especially when presented on the screen gather their attention as all of these colors are being presented in one big motion. Furthermore, another study shows that dogs are self aware in what they are doing. According to the American Kennel Club it states that in a study to test a dogs awareness, it tasted whether or not dogs were aware of their own body as an obstacle. In the experiment, the dog had to pass their toy to the owner (as it was attached to the mat) but they had to move their body in order to get it to their owner. This all-in-all proves that dogs do like watching TV and know what they are watching.

Sources:

 https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/do-dogs-see-color#:~:text=Dogs%20possess%20only%20two%20types,perception%20is%20called%20dichromatic%20vision.

https://zigzag.dog/en-us/blog/puppy-health/new-puppy-health/dog-eye-anatomy/#:~:text=Dog%20eyes%20are%20made%20up,and%20are%20important%20for%20vision.

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/a-new-way-to-look-at-dog-self-awareness/

Comments

This was a very good response, I liked how you went out and used a VCA report about what dogs can actually see. I thought you provided a good analysis of what they see and how they react to what is being shown color wise. The use of the awareness study was also a great argument because it shows dogs recognize what is happening rather than just looking at the TV. Great response!

Answer 2

This statement and the article provided are mostly true as dogs like to watch TV, but can't always tell what is happening on the TV. Since dogs are dichromatic, meaning they see in only two colors, some TV programs with these colors may be more interesting to dogs as tehy can see more of what is happening. This is why dog-specific TV channels are much more popular among dogs as their visuals and sounds are much more conducive to dogs. Dogs decide to watch TV for a few reasons, the most widely accepted reason is they are initially attracted to the sounds on the TV and then the visuals take over their interest the longer they stay. This all depends on the dog's breed and personality, much like humans. Different dogs might not be into watching TV just as humans do so saying all dogs are interested in watching TV isn't true, but those who watch TV have a reason to enjoy it.

https://www.inverse.com/article/55191-why-your-dog-likes-to-watch-tv

https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/can-dogs-see-tv

Comments

This is a really good response! I like how you pointed out how the claim is true, but there is the possibility that it is only true for certain breeds and age groups of dogs. I did some of my own research and I found that dogs breeds meant for herding or hunting are most likely to be interested in watching TV (https://www.wpr.org/animals/pets/dogs-like-to-watch-dogs-on-tv-new-study-by-uw-researcher-finds).

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I appreciate your clear response. It would be helpful if you, at the end, summarized why this claim is determined as Exaggerated / Misleading.

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I agree with much of what you've said about dogs and their interactions with TV. It's true that dogs are generally dichromatic, seeing a limited range of colors compared to humans, which could make certain TV programs more appealing to them. However, it's important to note that while some dogs may be drawn to TV due to the sounds or visuals, not all dogs are interested in watching.

Answer 3

I thought that this was a really interesting claim so I began to dig deeper into it, and found out that Dogs' vision is much different than us humans, they see fewer colors, and have a lower frame rate sensitivity than we do. This means they might not perceive what is going on in the TV in the same way we do, and they might be less engaged with it. However, if you play videos with animals or nature sounds, some dogs may show extreme interest, especially if they feel connected to those images or sounds with something they enjoy, like playtime or walks. I also found it interesting when researching this question that there are specific shows that are made in colors for dogs to watch, and that these shows have been known to be very popular among dogs. so I would say that there is some backing to this statement that yes dogs can enjoy watching tv, and may understand what is going on but I would alter the statement to sometimes dogs like and understand what is going on the tv screen. 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/202401/what-dogs-prefer-to-watch-on-television

https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/can-dogs-see-tv

Comments

You gave great feedback and provided good outside resources to add to this fact check. I think this is an interesting subject and something we aren't completely sure about entirely if dogs really do enjoy watching shows like we do.

Answer 4

After conducting additional research on this claim, I found it to be partly true/ opinion based. Dogs have dichromatic vision - which means they only see a variety of 2 primary colors - blue and yellow. Dogs' vision also operates differently from humans, specifically in how fast they register images. This is why specific programs or “Dog TV” typically operate on a higher frame rate per minute, which is why these videos sometimes seem overstimulating to us humans. Dogs also show a preference for familiarity on screen- like other dogs, squirrels, outside scenery, dog toy noises, etc. While these are some of the reasons dogs might gravitate towards to screen or exhibit signs of enjoyment, the general statement "Dogs enjoy watching TV" does not apply to all dogs. Nicholas Dodman, a veterinary behaviorist at Tufts University said that many dogs have become desensitized, or bored of the idea of television. In many American homes, it's typical to leave the TV on for your animals when leaving so the house feels less “empty”, Dodman reported that while some dogs seem to enjoy the background noise, in some cases, the dog might actually connect the tv being on with being left alone, creating a negative correlation in their head. In short, whether a dog enjoys watching tv or not depends entirely on the dog's personality. It is proven that dogs can engage in watching television, but it's hard to say that all dogs enjoy it. 

https://www.petscare.com/news/faq/what-percentage-of-dogs-watch-tv 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/150111-animals-dogs-television-pets-science-tv-behavior

Answer 5

This statement can't be true or false; it depends on the dog. Just like humans, some humans like watching TV, some don't. Some dogs like watching TV, some don't. "Breeds that were originally bred for hunting or herding tend to be more interested in watching TV because they have a higher level of energy and need for mental stimulation. It’s like a form of entertainment for them." (Why Do Some Dogs Watch Tv And Others Donʼt - [Vet Explains Pets]) This source says it best. My dog personally doesn't even look at the TV, while my friends family leaves the TV on for their dog. Which is why I believe this statement can't be true or false. Many different dogs can either like watching TV, and many love the TV.