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Should Your Dog Be Watching TV?
New York Times ^ | April 25, 2012 | DOUGLAS QUENQUA

Posted on 04/27/2012 7:51:46 PM PDT by nickcarraway

Plenty of things will grab a dog’s attention: squirrels, tennis balls, funny smells, other dogs. But a TV channel?

Absolutely, say the makers of DogTV, the first cable network to deliver 24-hour programming for dogs. The idea, they say, is that flipping on the channel while you go out for the day will keep your pet stimulated, entertained and relaxed. Call it “Sesame Street” for those who will never learn their ABCs.

The shows on DogTV are actually three- to six-minute segments featuring grassy fields, bouncing balls and humans rubbing dog tummies. There are also segments featuring noiseless vacuum cleaners and muted doorbells to help make dogs more comfortable around such common household agitations.

Executives at the network say their programming is scientifically designed to appeal to dogs. “We have three years of research on how dogs react to different stimuli,” said Bonnie Vieira, a spokeswoman for DogTV.

For instance, she explained, “For dogs who suffer from separation anxiety, DogTV is a tool that might help ease them, so maybe they’re not getting into trouble, and they’re happier, more relaxed, when you get home.”

But can dogs actually watch, and benefit from, television? Like most questions regarding canine consciousness, the answer depends on whom you ask.

“I think a lot of this is to make us feel better as opposed to making the pet happier,” said Dr. Ann E. Hohenhaus, a staff veterinarian for the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan. “Your pet needs adequate exercise and an interesting environment. You cannot just put on the TV and hope your dog is going to get better.”

(Excerpt) Read more at well.blogs.nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; Pets/Animals; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: dog; doggieping; dogs; television
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1 posted on 04/27/2012 7:51:49 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

Animal planet does seem to grab my dog’s attention.


2 posted on 04/27/2012 7:58:09 PM PDT by cripplecreek (What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?)
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To: nickcarraway; Joe 6-pack

Doggie ping!


3 posted on 04/27/2012 7:58:09 PM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
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To: nickcarraway

I let my dog watch TV, but he’s not allowed to use the remote.


4 posted on 04/27/2012 7:58:52 PM PDT by smoothsailing
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To: nickcarraway

Shouldn’t the title be “15 Reasons Why Dogs Watching TV Would Vote for Romney, Should They Acquire the Right to Vote and if they Were not Gay?”


5 posted on 04/27/2012 8:02:28 PM PDT by Attention Surplus Disorder (A conservative, a liberal and a moderate walk into a bar. Bartender says "what'll it be, Mitt?")
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To: nickcarraway

Oh for cryin’ out loud!

I leave the radio or TV on for the dog whenever I go out and leave her alone - but a channel just for this?

OTH hand I read something earlier today about people spending 5grand for their dogs to get “married.”


6 posted on 04/27/2012 8:06:08 PM PDT by Gabz (Democrats for Voldemort.)
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To: nickcarraway

I guess this is why MSNBC has any viewership at all show up in the ratings. Bored dogs.


7 posted on 04/27/2012 8:10:09 PM PDT by Lazlo in PA (Now living in a newly minted Red State.)
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To: nickcarraway

My dogs totally ignore TV. They seem to realize that what ever happens on it is not real.


8 posted on 04/27/2012 8:12:55 PM PDT by Paleo Conservative
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To: nickcarraway

When I was growing up back in the days of B&W, we wondered whether our dog could see what was on TV or not. With HDTVs, there is absolutely no doubt. My dogs think it’s real.


9 posted on 04/27/2012 8:24:30 PM PDT by Ken H (Austerity is the irresistible force. Entitlements are the immovable object.)
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To: nickcarraway

If the channel can teach my dog how to clean up after himself and fetch me a beer - I’ll pay for a premium package to get this channel :)

They only show well behaved dogs on it right? Don’t need any Jersey Shore Dogs....


10 posted on 04/27/2012 8:43:48 PM PDT by libertarian27 (Check my profile page for the FReeper Online Cookbook 2011)
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To: Paleo Conservative

I think my dog thinks it is a window because whenever she sees a dog or cat she barks at them and then runs out of the house looking around.


11 posted on 04/27/2012 8:49:22 PM PDT by tiki
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To: nickcarraway

I just might watch it. Beats most of the c%$p that plays for humans.


12 posted on 04/27/2012 8:52:23 PM PDT by tanuki (Left-wing Revolution: show biz for boring people.)
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To: cripplecreek
AnimalPlanet is an attention getter for our dogs, too, but nature films really set them off. The whippet/boxer mixed gets excited about waterfowl, and the akita goes into hunt mode when she sees bears on the screen. Occasionally, I'll have to change the channel because I'm a little worried about them crashing the TV.
13 posted on 04/27/2012 10:32:13 PM PDT by VanShuyten ("a shadow...draped nobly in the folds of a gorgeous eloquence.")
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To: nickcarraway
Call it “Sesame Street” for those who will never learn their ABCs.

Oh... I don't know about that. I know of one particular dog that developed a pretty amazing vocabulary... To the point when we had to start spelling certain things in front of the dog. Which worked... Until the dog learned to spell.

14 posted on 04/27/2012 10:45:32 PM PDT by Ramius (Personally, I give us one chance in three. More tea anyone?)
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To: Lazlo in PA; windcliff

LOL!


15 posted on 04/28/2012 12:44:15 AM PDT by stylecouncilor (Some minds are like soup in a poor restaurant...better left unstirred.-PG Wodehouse)
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To: Ken H
Maybe, maybe not :)
16 posted on 04/28/2012 2:18:20 AM PDT by Daffynition (Our forefathers would be shooting by now.)
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To: smoothsailing

17 posted on 04/28/2012 2:19:11 AM PDT by Daffynition (Our forefathers would be shooting by now.)
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To: Daffynition
LOL!

No!

18 posted on 04/28/2012 10:16:26 AM PDT by smoothsailing
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To: AnAmericanMother; Titan Magroyne; Badeye; SandRat; arbooz; potlatch; afraidfortherepublic; ...
WOOOF!

The Doggie Ping list is for FReepers who would like to be notified of threads relating to all things canid. If you would like to join the Doggie Ping Pack (or be unleashed from it), FReemail me.

19 posted on 04/28/2012 10:38:41 AM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
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To: cripplecreek

Catz and parakeetz also love Animal Planet. Animals aren’t nearly as stupid as some of thier human owners.


20 posted on 04/28/2012 10:52:06 AM PDT by Monkey Face (Four main food groups: chocolate, champagne, strawberries and chocolate. {le me})
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