Dogs were most likely to react to on-screen animals.

A new study has revealed how a dog’s personality might affect its TV viewing habits.

The research explored the difference in interactions from excitable dogs, which enjoyed the on-screen objects, and the more fearful dogs, which responded to cars and doorbells.

Researchers from Auburn University in Alabama anonymously recruited 453 dogs, aged two months to 16 years old, to the study. There were 300 dogs of breeds recognised by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and 153 mixed breed dogs not recognised by the AKC.

They also constructed a TV viewing scale, observing dog viewing habits based on responses from their owners.

Using this survey, the team investigated the trends in the dogs’ viewing habits. This included whether their owner taught them to watch TV, the average number of hours a week that the TV was on, and the average number of seconds that the dog paid attention to the screen.

The dogs were assessed on their reaction to animal and non-animal stimuli, as well as the extent that they followed objects on the screen.

Dogs were found to be most reactive to seeing animals on-screen, with 45 per cent of dogs always responding to dog noises. Those that were identified as ‘excitable’ were also more likely follow objects moving on-screen as if they were real.

Fearful or anxious dogs, however, were more likely to respond to non-animal triggers. This includes stimuli such as car horns and doorbells.

Researchers suggest that these temperament differences could inform future training strategies to tackle problem behaviours.

The study may have limitations though, as all the participants were dogs which regularly interacted with television. This means the findings may not be representative of all dogs.

Nonetheless, researchers have concluded that engaging with TV could pose an enriching and meaningful experience for dogs.

The full study can be found in the journal Scientific Reports.

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