For dogs, almost anything can trigger a response and may cause them to bark. Small things such as a ringing doorbell can even startle your dog and cause them to bark for a while.
Are you wondering why does my dog bark at dogs on TV but not in real life? Not all dogs bark at anything on TV. When dogs see another dog on TV, they may get irritated or annoyed and this may prompt them to bark.
According to researchers and several studies, it has been proven that dogs process visual images much faster than humans. Also, smarter dogs are even able to identify animals and their own species on the screen especially if the TV is big.
Why does my dog love TV so much?
Dogs’ eyes are sensitive to movement, and the improved flicker rate that comes from the shift from standard to high-definition television has allowed dogs to better perceive media shown on TV.
Do dogs know TV isn’t real?
Dogs are intelligent and can easily recognize that the screen characters are not real.
Why does my dog bark at dogs on TV but not in real life?
As earlier mentioned, dogs have a limited color spectrum unlike human beings even though they are able to process images faster. So, your dog may be barking at the TV screen simply because it cannot understand what is on the TV screen.
Another thing to note is that dogs may not be able to differentiate what is happening in real life from the action on TV. Your dog may be barking at the animals on the TV because he thinks that they are real. In some cases, your dog may even go after the animal on the screen believing that it is behind the screen.
-
Excitement
Once a dog sees animals or its own species on TV, there is an immediate sense of enthusiasm and confusion. Most times, your dog may feel that the TV is a window and these animals are just behind the window so it may bark or even go in search of the animal that it sees behind your television.
Some dogs may react differently by barking probably because he is very confused. A lot of people claim that dogs bark as a result of the animal sounds that they hear and not just because of what they see.
Why does my dog react to animals on TV?
In real life, dogs barking when they see other dogs is very common. This is why you may notice them exhibiting this same behavior when they see other dogs on TV. This behavior can even trigger your dog to leap or jump at the TV in an attempt to greet or play with the dog.
As such, you must take extra caution and always watch your dog closely when it is close to the TV because it can unintentionally knock the TV set over.
Undeniably, the TV is quite confusing for dogs. They may see common images and hear familiar sounds but they are not able to smell or feel the physical presence of the animals that they are seeing on TV. As a result of this, it may trigger or prompt your dog to bark.
For dogs, barking is not a new thing. They bark at almost anything whether it’s dogs or other animals (like horses) or strangers. With a bigger animal like the horse, dogs may feel intimidated or threatened and thus develop some form of anxiety which may cause them to bark.
How to Stop Your Dog from Barking at Animals on TV?
Barking can be an unpleasant noise and has been proven to be a behavioral problem in dogs especially when your dogs bark or jump at televisions.
As such, it is important to employ counter conditioning in training your dogs. Do not punish, shout, hit, or use shock collars in handling this matter. Below are some methods that can be used to stop your dog from barking animals on the TV:
Positive Reinforcement
One of the best ways to stop your dog from barking at the TV is through positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement involves the use of threats or other things like toys as rewards every time your dog doesn’t bark while watching the TV. Regardless of the fact that this may take time, dogs are known to be creatures of habit. They will eventually learn and become used to this.
Also if your dog sees another dog on TV you can give your dog as many treats as is required to ensure that your dog doesn’t bark. This process should be continued until your dog learns how to remain quiet even in the presence of other dogs and animals on TV
The end result of positive reinforcements for your dog and a few short training sessions will eventually help your dog to stop barking whenever the TV is on.
Wear Your Dog Out
If your dog is tired, the chances of him barking at the TV are very slim. Instead, your dog will rather relax or lay down.
By taking your dog out on a long walk or engaging your dog in a game of fetch or chase, you can wear your dog out while exercising at the same time.
Since the energy levels vary among different breeds of dogs, you will have to properly arrange the routine for physical activities for your dog.
After this is over, you will notice that your dog will be too tired to even bark at the TV and may just go to bed instead.
Distract Your Dog
If you notice that your dog is barking at animals on TV, the best option would be to distract your dog and divert his attention toward something else. By keeping your dog engaged or busy with something while you are watching the TV, you can stop your dog from barking.
Dog toys are highly recommended for this. You can also get puzzles to keep your dog’s mouth busy and prevent him from barking.
Use Wireless Headphones
The last resort if all the methods are unsuccessful would be to use headphones to watch the TV. If your dog cannot hear the sound, it is unlikely that your dog will bark at the TV.
Although this is not a long term solution to this problem, it is a quick remedy while you think of other ways to solve the problem. This way, you can watch your TV peacefully and your dog can be relaxed.