A new cable channel, DogTV, offers stimulating content for dogs who have to stay home during the day. Here’s an excerpt from an episode of the sci-fi adventure series Canine/Kangaroo Hybrid Trapped in Cornfield:
Other series include an in-depth look at interbreed frolicking, a documentary on the German Shepherd toy-rescue squad, and for some reason, cartoon bats:
But does it work? Let’s check in with a member of the DogTV focus group:
OMG, the rapt concentration on the focus group doggie! How did that iPad escape noseprint-free?
Noseprint, schmoseprint — I’d be worried about scratches. Them iPads is a-spensive.
Will someone please go get that pup a bag of kibble and a slanket?
Whenever my dogs see a dog on TV (or a wolf- but not a cat or anything else), they run up, bark, and nose smudges are the least of my concerns as they are 100 & 180 lbs. (respectively) Newfies and I’m always worried they will knock the TV over!
Newfies are the best… God bless you!!! I wish I could have a Newfie.
I guess that per-emptively answers my question. I was wondering if the dog looking at the screen knew he was watching other dogs, or if he merely perceived everything as a bunch of interesting images. Fascinating.
My Bichon Trixie will stare at the TV and even start growling when she sees a dog on TV. She knows it’s a dog! (She also ignores every other animal, other than a wolf or coyote. Those might get a second or two of watching.)
My 2 doggies would surely know the TV off of the stand. The older of the 2 growls and barks and runs to the TV and looks behind the TV when the dogs are out of viewing range.
“knock” the TV off of the stand.
SOO funny! My dog does the same! He runs up and looks behind the tv like well where are they. After a second he knows that they are only on the tv. It is so funny though. My son was playing x box the other day and it was the red dead redemption and it is a cowboy game. The guy whistles for his horse and my dog heard the whistle and came running in and was looking at me like ok what do you want. Then he figured out it was coming from the tv. It was too cute.
Ya know, I thought the cartoon bats were a joke! Then I actually saw them!
And I’m wondering if the focus-group member was as puzzled by them as I was…..
Cause I definitely want a dog to sit brainwashed in front of the TV all day barking at other dogs!
Watch out, pretty golden in the cornfield, you might inadvertently be making landing directions for the aliens! Or… maybe the signals are deliberate?? Uh-Oh.
If you film it, they will watch.
*Twilight Zone myoozik…*
or, alternatively,
*2001 theme myoozik….*
looks like a grrrreat show.
but i think you need smell-o-vision too.
Believe it or not, they say smell-o-vision might really be coming with this programming. My dogs watch DogTV all the time. For me it’s like watching Teletubbies on steroids, but the dogs are into it.
Sadly, they’ve been saying we’ll get smell-o-vision any day now for decades!
*Remains perched on edge-o-seat*
no smell-o-vision, please. shows like “hoarders” in smell-o-vision? any sports event where people sweat? ohnono. and with cooking shows, it would just be torture.
well it would be optional, of course!
Cornfield Lab puppeh iz happeh…
Beagle ‘n Peekeenneese frolic (who knew there atchually ARE dogs unner all that Pekingese fur?), and
Focus doggeh iz focused… (and cute!)
Miss Schnozz lost interest pretty quick… but… uh… I kept watching.
(what does that say about me?!)
tracylee, I know we’re not the intended demographic, but…. I’d be happy watching it too…
Love how the puppeh tries to sniff the other pups through the screen. “Something is wrong here! They look closer, but I can’t smell them any better??!??!??!!!!”
Sadie-lou’s officially a fan….she was bummed I took the iPad back to write this!
Could I ask what breed Sadie-lou is? I have a dog that looks exactly like her. He was a stray and we don’t know what he might be. Our best guess has been Jack Russell and Chihuahua. TIA!
Adorable video btw — thanks for sharing.
Doh! Just realized Sadie-lou is not the dog watching the video. Sorry. That’s what I get for staying up way too late looking at cuteoverload. What can I say? It’s might “nightcap” and always sends me off to bed feeling happy. Just ignore, please, and carry on.
hi Linda! sorry I was absent through the confusion. Sadie’s a Boston, btw.
That isn’t corn.
This is just sad. Prescripted anti depressants for dogs are becoming more and more common. Most of the dogs that get it are overweight and under stimulated. If you can’t give your dog the time it deserves, you don’t deserve a dog
(i mean the fact theat dogtv exist is sad. so many kids spend way to much time in front of the tv instead of getting dirty. and what do we do? we get our pets addicted to it too…)
Tend to agree. I found this clip cute but sad.
I have to agree as well. Pet ownership is difficult and time consuming, and a video recording will be no replacement for giving a dog the time it needs. If you want to look at cute dogs, hang around online, work at a shelter, pet sit for a friend, but don’t get a pet that you don’t have time for.
I skimmed the website (didn’t scour it) and can’t see any sign of how this is paid for. It doesn’t appear to be subscription. It can’t very well be ad revenue. That works with kids, but when you get home at night, the dog’s not going to beg you for a particular brand of kibble he saw advertised during the day. Or if he did, you wouldn’t know what he meant.
Says in the FAQ that DogTV will be a pay channel when it goes nationwide. 4.99 per month.
I am actually considering subscribing and I don’t even currently have a dog!
careful! these seemingly harmless images might be used for indogtrination!
DogTV is a real thing?? I thought it was just one of NOMTOM’s flights of fancy. LOL
I sometimes leave Animal Planet on for my puplets – they don’t watch but I hate the idea of them surrounded by silence all day.
Today’s Random Thought. I wonder what the reaction of a homeless person would be if he had to sit on a park bench and watch re-runs of the Life Styles of the Rich and Famous. Hopefully the puppy gets all warm and happy from his tv show.
Random Thoughts brought to you today by, too much coffee and aggressive avoidance of work filling the IN box.
Can I order DogTV even if I don’t have a dog? It looks like continuously streaming dog videos on Youtube. WIN!
TOO FUNNY! I love when my dog does that! He watches regular tv all the time. I will have to get this and leave cartoons on one and the doggy channel on the other!! Too cute!!
I got more entertained with the videos than my two cocker spaniels, I showed them the video and they didn’t even care
it is a good idea though for those dogs that do pay attention to it
Uhhh, that field isn’t planted with corn…at least not yet. Looks like tall grass. I think the dog’s looking for water, too. Looks thirsty.
Sorry, someone else already said that
LOVE IT!!!
Dogs make everything better!!!
I love this concept… a bit odd but so fresh and unique! I’m sure my two dogs at home would love to tune in!
I sat my shih-tzu mix in my lap and played the clip for him. I was riveted; he was more interested in sniffing my hair and licking my cheek. It does look fun to zone out to.
I had to elevate my TV because I was afraid my dog would end up damaging it whenever a dog or HORSE comes on the tube. If a horse runs across the screen, he runs down the hall to try and follow it. If an animal is still, he runs into the bedroom behind the TV becuase, after all, this is just a window, right? The Dog is back there, right?
I’m afraid the dog would be insane by the time I came home if I left this on all day.
Video! Video!