It turns out that dogs can watch television and follow the plot

Four-legged movie lovers: scientists prove that dogs truly watch and understand television

A new study conducted at Auburn University has revealed the surprising ability of dogs not just to observe television images, but to actively perceive what's happening on screen. While in the past, old televisions with low refresh rates created an unpleasant flickering effect for canine vision, modern devices with high definition and frame rates have completely transformed the television experience for our pets.

During the extensive study, scientists surveyed more than 650 dog owners using a specially developed dog television viewing scale with 16 questions. The results were impressive: over 450 participants confirmed that their four-legged friends show genuine interest in television, with each pet doing so in their own way.

The study showed that dogs respond most strongly to images of other animals, especially fellow canines or wild animals. Many pets physically track moving objects on the screen and even try to look behind it, as if expecting the image to continue in the real world. Dogs also often react to inanimate objects, such as cars or doorbells, and respond to human voices.

Interestingly, characteristics such as age, gender, breed, or neutering did not significantly influence dogs' television habits. The individual character of the pet proved much more important. Energetic and excitable dogs are more likely to become engrossed in what's happening on screen, while fearful individuals, especially those sensitive to loud sounds and conflict scenes, do so much less frequently.

Scientists emphasize that television can serve different functions for dogs: not only as background noise but also as a real source of entertainment or even a way to relieve stress, especially when the pet is left alone. Some streaming platforms already offer specialized video content created specifically for pets.