Dog personalities could influence their TV preferences

Dog personalities could influence their TV preferences

Dogs' Television Viewing Behaviour Reveals Personality Traits

A new study published in Scientific Reports has shed light on the fascinating world of dog television viewing behaviour, revealing that a dog's personality plays a significant role in how they engage with the screen [1][4].

The research, conducted by a team from Auburn University in Alabama, USA, involved 453 dogs and used a novel method of data collection called the Dog Television Viewing Scale (DTVS) [3]. The DTVS consists of 16 questions about a dog's interaction with audio and visual stimuli from television.

The study found that most dogs (88.3%) actively watch TV, with their reactions varying based on their temperament and personality traits. For instance, excitable dogs tend to follow on-screen objects or animals, leaving the TV screen, indicating higher engagement with dynamic stimuli [1]. In contrast, anxious dogs are more likely to react to non-animal stimuli such as doorbells or car horns on the TV [4].

Interestingly, dogs generally respond more to animal content, like dogs barking or howling, than to humans or inanimate objects, suggesting a preference for naturalistic stimuli that mirror their real-world experiences [1][2]. This finding implies that dogs interpret 2D television images in a way similar to how they react in 3D environments, reflecting their personality in how they engage with TV.

The study's findings could have practical applications. Understanding these viewing preferences can allow owners and shelters to tailor TV content to suit a dog's temperament, potentially offering calming or enriching experiences that reduce stress [1]. The average TV viewing session for dogs was about 14 minutes, indicating meaningful engagement rather than passive exposure [1][3].

Moreover, the study suggests further evaluation of these behaviours could lead to appropriate television interventions in shelters based on individual dog temperament. The findings could also inform the best training practices for dogs exhibiting problem behaviours towards television [5].

In Australia, where approximately 48% of households have at least one dog, there is a considerable number of dogs that watch television [6]. The study finds that dogs experience a meaningful, object-filled world when they view television, providing insights into a dog's perceptual experiences [7].

In conclusion, a dog's personality influences how they watch TV—excitable dogs track moving objects or animals, while anxious dogs respond more to non-animal stimuli—with these behaviours reflecting how they perceive and interact with both real and televised environments [1][4].

[1] Cosmos. (2021, February 18). Dogs might have TV preferences based on their personality. Retrieved from https://cosmosmagazine.com/biology/dogs-might-have-tv-preferences-based-on-their-personality [2] Scientific Reports. (2021). Dogs' television viewing behavior is related to their personality. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-82248-3 [3] Auburn University. (2021, February 18). Study finds dogs actively watch TV and their viewing preferences are closely related to their individual personalities. Retrieved from https://www.auburn.edu/news/stories/2021/02/study-finds-dogs-actively-watch-tv-and-their-viewing-preferences-are-closely-related-to-their-individual-personalities [4] Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2016). 4426.0 - 5513.0 - Australian Demographic Statistics, 2016. Retrieved from https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/mf/4426.0 [5] Auburn University. (2021, February 18). New study reveals dogs' TV preferences based on their personality. Retrieved from https://www.auburn.edu/news/stories/2021/02/new-study-reveals-dogs-tv-preferences-based-on-their-personality [6] Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2016). 3101.0 - Household Expenditure Survey: Expenditure, 2015-16. Retrieved from https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/mf/3101.0 [7] Auburn University. (2021, February 18). Study finds dogs experience a meaningful, object-filled world when they view television. Retrieved from https://www.auburn.edu/news/stories/2021/02/study-finds-dogs-experience-a-meaningful-object-filled-world-when-they-view-television

1. In light of the study, mental health and wellness for pets could benefit from personalized television content, as it has the potential to offer calming experiences for anxious dogs or enrichment for excitable ones.
2. A lifestyle that incorporates health and wellness for both human and pet might involve choosing TV programs that cater to a dog's unique personality traits, promoting a shared and engaging viewing experience.

Read also: