For you, kicking back on the couch and watching your favorite show might be just the thing to reduce stress. But does staring at a screen do the same for your pup? Should you believe all the hype about YouTube DOGTV and similar videos? Can they make your dog feel less anxious?
In a nutshell, whether watching TV actually helps dogs calm down remains a gray area. There needs to be a lot more research, but there are a few interesting studies. A study in Scientific Reports suggests that dogs can glean interesting experiences and mental enrichment from watching certain videos.
However, a study from the Canine Behavior Center at Queen's University Belfast makes an interesting point. The doggy participants in this study spent only about 10.8% of the total available viewing time looking at the screens. Therefore, it poses the following conundrum. Screen time could be beneficial for dogs, but only if they watch it.
Why Do Dogs Watch TV?
Dogs don’t see TV as people do. After all, dogs don’t even see the world as humans do. Your pup might find certain things on the screen interesting, especially movements, sounds, and images that resemble things they like in real life.
Other research suggests that some types of videos, such as those on YouTube’s DogTV, may help ease stress in certain environments. But a lot depends on what’s on the screen, your dog’s temperament, and how they feel about what they’re watching.
For some pets, watching television can have the opposite effect of calming them down. High-energy images and scenes can ramp up your dog’s excitement, leading to more overstimulation than calm.
So, why does your dog watch TV? Maybe they find it relaxing, exciting, or just plain confusing, wondering what’s going on in that rectangle on the wall.
Can Watching Videos Help Dogs With Boredom?
Dogs need more than food and a comfortable place to sleep. They also need things to do. Going on walks, training sessions, an engaging sniffari, interactive toys, and time with their humans are all excellent sources of mental enrichment.
A video can become another activity for your pup, especially if they’re spending time alone. Watching moving animals or listening to interesting sounds might give your dog something to focus on, instead of wallowing in boredom. However, watching a screen is not the same as experiencing the real world.
A walk, for example, gives a dog the chance to smell new things, move their body, explore different surfaces, and make choices. A food puzzle lets a dog use their nose and brain to solve a problem. Playing with another dog can provide social interaction.
Television can’t provide all of these rich experiences. Of course, this doesn’t mean that television is useless. Instead, it suggests that screen time be one form of enrichment, not a replacement for other activities.
Does Screen Time Help With Doggy Anxiety?
People sometimes turn on the TV because their dog seems nervous when they leave the house. But is it the images that distract the pup, or is it the sound of voices or music that make the home feel less empty?
There is limited evidence that watching a pet video actually treats anxiety in dogs. This is critical to keep in mind, because if your pet is coping with separation anxiety or high stress levels, a television is likely not the answer.
Veterinary behavior experts generally look at the underlying cause of the anxiety rather than simply trying to distract the dog. Separation anxiety, for example, is a real behavioral problem that can require a carefully planned treatment approach. A veterinary behavior specialist may recommend behavior training and, in some cases, giving your dog medication.
In some cases, watching TV can make a dog’s anxiety even worse.
What if your dog gets super excited when they see another dog? They start barking, jumping, whining, and pacing. They then see a dog on the big screen, which could trigger the same reaction.
Of course, some dogs ignore the TV completely. Again, there’s still a lot of research to be done to get more definitive answers. However, for dogs, real experiences such as playing, walking, sniffing, training, and spending time with their owners offer things that a screen can’t.
What About Calming Music?
Studies have shown that certain music helps calm dogs. Many dog-focused calming videos feature soft music, nature sounds, or relaxing scenes. This could pose a new question: is it what your dog is watching on the screen that helps them or simply the sounds?
Furthermore, your dog might respond to these sounds, or they may not. Some dogs might not act any differently despite the music.
How Can You Use Videos Safely With Your Dogs?
If your dog enjoys watching television, there is usually no reason to ban screen time completely. Instead, think of it as a small part of the dog's daily routine.
First, look for content that matches your dog's personality instead of just clicking whatever you come across first. A pet that loves watching birds might enjoy a nature video. If your pup doesn’t get along well with other dogs, you might want to steer clear of videos featuring dogs.
Also, observe your dog when they watch different videos to see how they react. Their response can give you valuable clues as to which videos are the best picks for your pup. For example, if your dog gets restless and starts barking, but your goal is calmness, you know to nix that video from the playlist.
And what’s the most important takeaway when it comes to letting your dog enjoy some screen time?
No matter how your dog responds to their screen time sessions, they aren’t replacements for regular enrichment. Your pup still needs tons of snuggle fests, social interaction, and opportunities for exercise and play. These real-life moments are the backbone of your dog’s overall well-being.
Does Your Dog Need Dog TV?
Dog TV and YouTube videos can be interesting forms of enrichment for some pets. Research shows that many dogs pay attention to screens, especially when they contain animals and movement. For a bored dog, a video may provide something new to watch and listen to.
But the evidence does not show that pet videos are a reliable treatment for anxiety. In fact, some dogs may become more excited or stressed by what they see on screen.
The best approach is to watch your individual pet and look at the bigger picture. A screen can be a useful extra activity, but it should not replace walks, play, training, exploration, social interaction, or veterinary help when your dog has a serious behavioral problem.
For anxious animals, the goal isn’t just to simply distract them. It’s to understand why they’re anxious and give them the right kind of support. Sometimes that support may include a relaxing video. But more often than not, it will include much more.
For more helpful tips and tricks on taking the very best care of your furry friends, make sure to dive deeper into the Neater Pets blog. You’ll find all sorts of info to help you be the fantastic pet parent you want to be.