Instruction: why a dog watches television.

1. Canine Perception of Visual Stimuli

1.1. How Dogs See the World

Dogs perceive their environment through a visual system that differs markedly from that of humans. Their retinas contain two types of cone cells, enabling detection of blue and yellow wavelengths but rendering reds and greens indistinguishable. Consequently, a television image appears as a muted palette dominated by blues, yellows, and grays. This limited color range does not impede recognition of moving objects, which is the primary visual cue for canines.

The canine eye features a higher proportion of rod cells, granting superior sensitivity to low light and rapid motion. Dogs can detect movement at lower contrast levels than humans, allowing them to notice subtle shifts on a screen. Their visual acuity, approximately 20/75, is less sharp than human 20/20 vision, yet sufficient to resolve large, dynamic shapes presented in typical television programming.

A second distinguishing characteristic is the flicker fusion threshold. Dogs perceive flicker up to 70-80 Hz, whereas most modern televisions refresh at 60 Hz. Some older displays may appear as a series of discrete frames, reducing the fluidity of motion. Contemporary high‑refresh‑rate screens produce smoother motion that aligns with canine temporal resolution, enhancing engagement.

Additional factors influencing canine attention include:

Wide peripheral field (≈240°) that captures side‑to‑side activity across the screen.
Enhanced contrast sensitivity that highlights silhouettes and outlines.
Auditory coupling; dogs integrate sound with visual cues, reinforcing interest in on‑screen actions.

Understanding these visual parameters clarifies why a dog may turn its head toward a television, track moving figures, and exhibit brief periods of focused observation. The combination of motion detection, appropriate flicker rates, and auditory reinforcement creates an environment that aligns with the canine sensory profile, prompting the behavior in question.

1.1.1. Rod and Cone Distribution

As a veterinary ophthalmology specialist, I assess canine visual physiology to explain canine interest in moving images on screens. The canine retina contains a high proportion of rods-approximately 85 % of photoreceptors-distributed densely across the peripheral retina. Rods provide superior sensitivity to low‑light conditions and motion detection, enabling dogs to perceive faint, rapidly changing luminance cues on a television display even when ambient lighting is dim.

Cones account for roughly 15 % of photoreceptors and are concentrated in the central retina, the area analogous to the human fovea. Dogs possess two cone types, sensitive to short (blue) and medium (green) wavelengths, but lack the long‑wavelength (red) cone found in humans. Consequently, canine color discrimination is limited and visual acuity is lower; the central cone zone resolves fewer detail elements per degree of visual angle than the human fovea.

These anatomical features produce functional outcomes relevant to screen viewing:

High rod density enhances detection of moving silhouettes and flickering light, prompting attention to dynamic television content.
Limited cone coverage reduces perception of fine spatial detail, causing dogs to focus on broad shapes and motion rather than static, high‑resolution images.
The rod‑mediated scotopic system operates efficiently at the typical refresh rates of modern televisions (60 Hz and above), preventing perceptual flicker that would otherwise mask the image.

Therefore, the distribution of rods and cones in the canine eye predisposes dogs to respond to the motion and luminance changes characteristic of televised scenes, even though the visual detail and color spectrum differ from human perception.

1.1.2. Flicker Fusion Rate

Dogs perceive visual motion through a physiological limit known as the critical flicker‑fusion frequency (CFF). This threshold represents the fastest rate at which intermittent light flashes are merged into a continuous image. In canines, CFF typically ranges between 70 and 80 Hz, substantially higher than the average human CFF of about 60 Hz. Consequently, a television display that refreshes at 60 Hz appears as a steady stream to humans but may be perceived by a dog as a series of flickering frames.

When a screen operates below the canine CFF, the image lacks fluidity, reducing the salience of moving objects such as animals or toys. Modern high‑definition televisions often exceed 120 Hz, comfortably surpassing the dog’s CFF. Under these conditions, motion on the screen becomes smooth and recognizable, allowing the dog to detect biologically relevant cues-rapid limb movements, prey‑like silhouettes, or sudden directional changes.

Key implications for canine TV engagement:

Frame rate compatibility - Screens that refresh at ≥ 120 Hz provide continuous motion for dogs, increasing the likelihood of visual attention.
Contrast and luminance - High contrast between foreground and background enhances edge detection, a primary visual cue for canines.
Motion patterns - Erratic or fast‑moving stimuli trigger instinctive tracking behavior, prompting the dog to follow the on‑screen action.

Therefore, a dog’s willingness to watch television correlates directly with the alignment of the display’s refresh characteristics with its flicker‑fusion rate. When the visual system receives a seamless, high‑contrast motion signal, the animal interprets the content as a dynamic, potentially relevant scene, motivating sustained observation.

1.2. Auditory Processing and Television

Dogs possess a highly developed auditory system that processes sound frequencies between 40 Hz and 60 kHz, far beyond the human hearing range. Television audio typically contains human speech, music, and high‑frequency effects that fall within this spectrum, allowing dogs to detect and differentiate these elements even when the visual image is muted.

The canine brain prioritizes sudden changes in amplitude and pitch. Rapid shifts in volume, such as a bark or a door slam, trigger the auditory pathway from the cochlea to the primary auditory cortex, producing an orienting response. Television programs often incorporate these acoustic signatures-sharp bark sounds, squeaky toys, or abrupt musical cues-that activate the same neural circuits engaged during real‑world encounters.

Key auditory features that influence canine attention to screens include:

Frequency range: High‑pitched tones (e.g., whistles, squeaks) align with the dog’s optimal hearing band, enhancing detectability.
Temporal pattern: Repetitive rhythms in dialogue or background music establish predictability, which can sustain focus over extended periods.
Amplitude contrast: Sudden loudness peaks create a startle effect, prompting a reflexive turn toward the source.
Species‑specific sounds: Recordings of other dogs, cats, or wildlife elicit innate social and predatory responses, increasing engagement.

When these auditory cues are synchronized with moving images, the combined stimulus reinforces the dog's interest. The brain integrates sound and motion through the superior colliculus, strengthening the perception that the screen depicts a dynamic environment. Consequently, dogs may remain attentive to television not because they comprehend the narrative, but because the auditory profile matches their evolutionary adaptations for detecting salient, biologically relevant sounds.

1.2.1. Sensitivity to Frequencies

Dogs possess a visual system tuned to motion and contrast rather than fine detail. Their retinas contain a higher proportion of rod cells, granting heightened sensitivity to rapid changes in light intensity. This physiological arrangement makes them especially responsive to the temporal frequencies emitted by modern television displays.

When a screen refreshes at 60 Hz, the resulting flicker sits well below the canine critical flicker fusion threshold, typically around 70-80 Hz. Consequently, the image appears continuous to a dog, allowing it to detect subtle movements that may be imperceptible to humans. The following points illustrate how frequency sensitivity influences canine viewing behavior:

Rod-dominated retina captures swift luminance shifts, prompting attention to moving objects on screen.
Higher flicker fusion thresholds enable dogs to perceive smoother motion, reinforcing engagement with dynamic scenes.
Sensitivity to low‑frequency sound accompanies visual cues, creating a multimodal stimulus that sustains focus.

Research indicates that breeds with pronounced hunting instincts exhibit stronger reactions to these frequency cues, suggesting an evolutionary basis for the behavior. Understanding the interplay between retinal composition and flicker perception clarifies why dogs often appear to watch television with apparent interest.

1.2.2. Sound Localization

Dogs attend to television primarily because the auditory system can extract spatial information from the soundtrack. Sound localization enables a canine listener to determine the direction and distance of a source, guiding attention toward moving or salient noises. The auditory pathway processes interaural time differences (the slight delay between ears) and interaural level differences (the intensity contrast) to infer azimuth. The pinna shape filters frequencies, creating elevation cues that are encoded in the head‑related transfer function. Neural circuits in the superior olivary complex and auditory cortex integrate these signals, producing a rapid perception of where a sound originates.

Television broadcasts often employ stereo or surround mixes that simulate directional cues. When a bark, squeak, or rustling occurs on one side of the screen, the interaural time and level differences become detectable to a dog’s highly sensitive ears. The rapid shift of these cues as the image moves across the screen generates a dynamic auditory scene. Dogs, whose hearing range exceeds that of humans, resolve these changes with greater precision, prompting them to turn their heads, focus their gaze, and follow the visual action.

Key aspects of canine sound localization relevant to television viewing:

Interaural time difference detection - resolves sub‑millisecond delays, allowing precise lateral positioning.
Interaural level difference sensitivity - perceives intensity gradients, enhancing detection of off‑center sounds.
Pinna‑derived spectral filtering - supplies vertical localization, useful for distinguishing sounds emitted from different screen heights.
Head‑related transfer function adaptation - tailors frequency response to the dog’s head size, improving spatial resolution.

The combination of these mechanisms means that any audio cue with directional variation can capture a dog’s focus, even when the visual content lacks motion. Consequently, dogs are drawn to television programs that incorporate clear, localized sounds, such as animal vocalizations, sudden noises, or moving sources, because their auditory system interprets these cues as real‑world events worth investigating.

2. Behavioral Aspects of Television Watching

2.1. Attention and Engagement

Dogs devote visual attention to television when motion, contrast, and sound align with species‑specific perceptual thresholds. Rapidly moving objects on screen generate retinal stimulation comparable to prey cues, prompting reflexive fixation. High‑contrast edges accentuate silhouettes, enhancing detectability against background noise.

Auditory cues further sustain engagement. Frequencies between 500 Hz and 2 kHz, common in canine vocalizations, are amplified by TV speakers, creating a feedback loop that reinforces visual focus. Synchronization of sound and motion produces multimodal reinforcement, increasing the duration of observation.

Physiological markers corroborate heightened arousal during viewing. Elevated heart rate and increased pupil dilation accompany episodes of rapid action, indicating sympathetic activation. These responses mirror those observed during real‑world stimulus exposure, suggesting that television can elicit genuine attentional states.

Factors modulating engagement include:

Brightness level: adequate luminance prevents visual fatigue.
Frame rate: 30 fps or higher preserves motion smoothness, reducing perceptual gaps.
Content relevance: animal sounds, locomotion, and predator‑like movements trigger innate interest.

Understanding these mechanisms clarifies why dogs allocate sustained attention to televised scenes, revealing that visual and auditory properties, combined with physiological readiness, drive the observed behavior.

2.1.1. Recognizing Familiar Sounds

Dogs are highly attuned to auditory cues that resemble the sounds of their environment. When a television program reproduces a barking sequence, a doorbell, or a human voice with familiar intonation, the canine auditory cortex registers these patterns as relevant stimuli. The brain then initiates a cascade of neural responses that prioritize attention, similar to the reaction triggered by real‑world occurrences.

Key mechanisms underlying this behavior include:

Acoustic similarity: Frequencies and temporal structures of recorded sounds often match those of live sources, allowing the dog to classify them as known events.
Associative memory: Past experiences link specific sounds to outcomes (e.g., a bark from a neighbor’s dog signals a potential playmate). The TV reproduces these cues, prompting recall and curiosity.
Social relevance: Human speech directed at the dog, even if spoken from a screen, activates the same social processing pathways engaged during face‑to‑face interaction.

Consequently, when a dog detects a familiar bark or a human call on the screen, it interprets the audio as a legitimate signal, prompting visual scanning of the source. This auditory recognition drives the dog’s engagement with the television, explaining why the medium can capture canine attention despite the absence of physical interaction.

2.1.2. Reacting to On-Screen Animals

Dogs are attracted to moving silhouettes that resemble prey or conspecifics, and television provides a continuous stream of such stimuli. The canine visual system emphasizes motion over detail; rapid changes in shape, contrast, and trajectory trigger the same neural pathways activated by real animals in the environment. Consequently, on‑screen creatures generate instinctive responses that are indistinguishable from those elicited by live targets.

When a dog perceives a cat, squirrel, or another dog on a screen, the following reactions are common:

Fixed stare directed at the source of movement
Low‑frequency vocalizations, including growls or whines
Pawing or nudging the display surface in an attempt to make contact
Sudden shifts in posture, such as crouching or lunging, mirroring predatory or social behavior

These behaviors reflect the activation of the brain’s approach‑avoidance circuitry. The visual cue of an animal moving across a bright background produces a surge of dopamine, reinforcing the attention‑holding effect of the screen. The lack of olfactory and auditory confirmation does not diminish the response; the visual trigger alone is sufficient to sustain engagement for several minutes.

Understanding this mechanism enables owners to manage viewing sessions. Short, controlled exposure can provide mental stimulation without encouraging compulsive fixation. Conversely, prolonged display of aggressive or highly stimulating animal footage may reinforce unwanted arousal, leading to chronic barking or anxiety. Selecting neutral or calm animal content, limiting session length, and providing alternative enrichment-such as puzzle toys or scent work-helps balance the dog's natural curiosity with behavioral stability.

2.2. Emotional Responses

Dogs exhibit a range of affective reactions when they watch moving images, and these reactions illuminate why many owners observe their pets seemingly “following” a screen. Visual motion, sudden changes in luminance, and high‑frequency sounds trigger the autonomic nervous system, producing heightened arousal. In some cases, arousal manifests as playful engagement; in others, it appears as fear or agitation, especially when on‑screen stimuli mimic predator cues or rapid chase sequences.

When the program features other animals, dogs often display signs of social resonance. Vocalizations, body posture, and ear positioning suggest an empathic alignment with the depicted creature. This alignment can generate comfort when the animal is calm, or distress when the animal is threatened, indicating that canine emotional processing extends beyond direct sensory input to include contextual interpretation of visual narratives.

Typical emotional states observable during television viewing include:

Excitement: tail wagging, rapid panting, attempts to interact with the screen.
Curiosity: focused stare, head tilting, intermittent ear swiveling.
Anxiety: stiff posture, lip licking, avoidance of the screen.
Calmness: relaxed muscles, slow blinking, occasional sighing.

These responses are modulated by individual temperament, prior conditioning, and the specific content presented. Owners who recognize the emotional cues can adjust viewing conditions-such as selecting low‑intensity programs or limiting exposure during periods of heightened stress-to promote positive affect and prevent unnecessary agitation. Understanding the affective dimension of canine television engagement enables more informed decisions about environmental enrichment and reinforces the human‑dog bond through shared media experiences.

2.2.1. Excitement and Arousal

Research on canine perception shows that rapid visual changes and high‑contrast audio on screens generate measurable physiological arousal. When a dog observes moving objects, the sympathetic nervous system responds with increased heart rate and elevated cortisol, indicating heightened excitement. This state parallels the response to live prey or other dynamic stimuli, prompting the animal to focus attention on the source.

Key elements that elevate arousal during television viewing include:

Sudden motion (e.g., a ball bouncing, a squirrel running)
Loud, fluctuating sounds (e.g., bark, whine, music crescendo)
Bright colors and sharp edges that contrast with the surrounding environment
Repetitive patterns that simulate predator or conspecific cues

Veterinary behaviorists report that these factors trigger dopamine release in the mesolimbic pathway, reinforcing the behavior of watching. Consequently, dogs may remain engaged with the screen as long as the stimulus maintains a level of novelty and intensity sufficient to sustain the arousal response.

2.2.2. Comfort and Companionship

Dogs often sit in front of the screen because the audiovisual environment creates a sense of shared activity that reinforces their bond with humans. The rhythmic motion of images, combined with occasional sounds resembling vocalizations, mimics the presence of another living being. This imitation triggers the same neurochemical pathways activated during direct social interaction, releasing oxytocin and dopamine, which promote feelings of safety and attachment.

When a television program features animals, especially dogs, the viewer’s pet may recognize familiar body language and vocal cues. The recognition process reduces anxiety, providing a passive form of companionship that does not require the owner’s constant attention. Consequently, the dog experiences a calming effect similar to that achieved by lying beside a person.

Key aspects of comfort and companionship derived from television viewing include:

Ambient presence: Background noise and movement fill silent gaps, preventing the dog from feeling isolated.
Predictable patterns: Repetitive scenes create a stable auditory‑visual rhythm, which helps regulate the animal’s stress response.
Social mimicry: Episodes with dog characters generate a mirror effect, encouraging the pet to feel included in a group setting.

Overall, the television serves as an auxiliary social partner, delivering low‑intensity interaction that satisfies a dog’s innate need for connection while reinforcing the human‑animal relationship.

3. Factors Influencing Dog Television Viewing

3.1. Breed and Individual Differences

Dogs differ markedly in their response to moving images, and both breed characteristics and individual temperament shape the likelihood of a dog engaging with a television screen. Genetic predispositions influence visual acuity, attention span, and prey drive, all of which affect how a dog perceives on‑screen activity. For example, herding breeds such as Border Collies and Australian Shepherds often react strongly to fast‑moving objects that simulate flock movement, while scent‑oriented breeds like Bloodhounds show less visual interest. Breeds developed for companionship, including Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Bichon Frises, tend to display higher sociability toward human activities, including TV watching, especially when the content features human faces or familiar voices.

Individual variation within a breed can be as decisive as the breed itself. Factors such as age, health status, prior exposure to screens, and personality traits (e.g., curiosity, anxiety, or boredom) modulate engagement. Young, healthy dogs with high curiosity scores are more prone to stare at bright colors and rapid motion, whereas older dogs with diminished eyesight or joint discomfort may ignore the screen entirely. Prior training that rewards attention to visual stimuli can also increase a dog's propensity to watch television.

Key points summarizing breed and individual influences:

Visual sensitivity: breeds with acute motion detection (e.g., sighthounds) notice rapid movements more readily.
Prey drive: high‑drive breeds respond to animal silhouettes and chase‑like motions.
Social orientation: companion breeds follow human cues, including facial expressions on screen.
Age and health: younger, healthier dogs show greater sustained attention.
Learning history: reinforcement of screen‑focused behavior enhances watching habits.

Understanding these dimensions helps predict which dogs are likely to treat television as a source of stimulation and which will remain indifferent.

3.1.1. Herding Breeds and Movement

Research on canine visual perception shows that herding breeds possess an acute sensitivity to rapid, directional movement. This sensitivity originates from centuries of selective breeding for the ability to detect, track, and influence the motion of livestock. When a television screen presents moving objects-players sprinting, balls rolling, animated characters darting-the same neural circuits that respond to a flock’s motion become activated.

Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and other herding types exhibit pronounced eye‑tracking ability. Their retinas contain a high density of ganglion cells tuned to detect motion across a wide visual field. Consequently, they can follow fast‑moving images with minimal head movement, a skill honed for maintaining visual contact with dispersed animals in the field.

The following factors explain the attraction of herding dogs to televised motion:

Motion detection threshold: Low‑contrast, high‑speed visuals on screen exceed the minimal motion cues required to trigger a herding response.
Prey‑drive circuitry: Evolutionary pathways that motivate pursuit of moving prey are co‑opted by artificial stimuli, generating an instinctual urge to “manage” the on‑screen activity.
Spatial awareness training: Herding dogs are conditioned to anticipate and react to shifting patterns; television provides a continuous stream of unpredictable trajectories that satisfy this training.
Reward association: Positive reinforcement (e.g., treats or praise) given when a dog reacts to screen movement reinforces the behavior, solidifying the habit.

Veterinary behaviorists note that the frame rate of modern displays aligns closely with the flicker fusion frequency of canine vision, allowing seamless perception of motion without interruption. This technical compatibility enhances engagement, especially for breeds whose visual systems are optimized for detecting subtle, rapid changes.

Owners can influence the intensity of television viewing by adjusting environmental variables. Reducing ambient distractions focuses the dog’s attention on the screen; conversely, introducing competing stimuli (e.g., toys, outdoor activities) can redirect the herding impulse away from passive observation.

In summary, the proclivity of herding breeds to watch television stems from their genetically ingrained motion‑sensing abilities, refined eye‑tracking mechanisms, and the reinforcement of instinctual herding behaviors by dynamic visual media.

3.1.2. Temperament and Curiosity

Dogs with a high‑energy temperament tend to respond to moving images and sudden sounds. Their innate alertness drives them to investigate any stimulus that resembles prey or social interaction. When a television screen displays rapid motion-such as a running animal, a bouncing ball, or a human voice-these dogs register the pattern as a potential target and orient their attention accordingly.

Curiosity, a core component of canine personality, amplifies this response. Breeds known for exploratory behavior (e.g., Border Collies, Jack Russell Terriers) exhibit a lower threshold for visual engagement. The following factors illustrate how temperament and curiosity intersect to produce television watching:

Sensitivity to motion: Dogs possess a visual system tuned to detect motion at lower frequencies than humans. Rapid scene changes trigger the same neural pathways activated during a hunt.
Auditory reinforcement: High‑pitched squeals or bark‑like sounds embedded in programming reinforce the visual cue, sustaining interest.
Reward association: Repeated exposure to screens that produce treat‑like stimuli (e.g., animated food, playful dogs) conditions a positive expectation, encouraging repeated viewing.
Social mimicry: Dogs that are highly attuned to human cues may mirror a household member’s focus on the screen, reinforcing the behavior through social learning.

Temperament assessments that score dogs high on excitability and exploratory drive predict a greater likelihood of television engagement. Conversely, dogs with a calm, less inquisitive disposition often ignore screen activity altogether. Understanding these personality dimensions enables owners to anticipate and manage canine interaction with electronic media.

3.2. Environmental and Social Context

Dogs often sit in front of screens because the visual and auditory environment mimics aspects of their natural surroundings. Bright moving images trigger the same motion detection pathways that respond to prey or other animals, while high‑frequency sounds replicate the pitch of vocalizations they would encounter outdoors. When owners leave a television on, the household becomes a consistent source of such stimuli, shaping the canine’s expectation that visual activity is a regular part of the environment.

Socially, the presence of a screen influences how owners interact with their pets. A television program featuring animals can draw a dog’s attention, prompting owners to comment, point, or give treats, thereby reinforcing the behavior through positive feedback. In multi‑person households, shared viewing creates a common focal point, allowing dogs to be included in group activities without requiring additional playtime. This dynamic can enhance bonding, but it also risks substituting passive observation for active exercise if owners rely on the screen as primary entertainment.

Key environmental and social factors include:

Lighting and motion - high contrast and rapid movement attract canine attention.
Sound frequency - audio tracks containing whistles, bark‑like tones, or high‑pitched noises are more engaging.
Owner response - verbal cues, gestures, and rewards given during viewing reinforce the habit.
Household routine - a consistently running television establishes a predictable backdrop that dogs learn to monitor.
Social inclusion - shared screen time integrates the dog into family leisure, influencing its perceived role in the household.

Understanding these elements helps explain why many dogs naturally turn toward a television, revealing how the domestic setting and human interaction shape canine media attention.

3.2.1. Owner's Presence and Behavior

As a canine behavior specialist, I explain how the owner’s presence and behavior shape a dog’s engagement with television. Dogs are highly attuned to human cues; a calm, attentive owner signals that the screen is a shared activity, encouraging the dog to watch. Conversely, a distracted or agitated owner creates uncertainty, reducing the likelihood that the dog will focus on the visual stimulus.

Key mechanisms include:

Social referencing - the dog looks to the owner for emotional guidance. When the owner displays relaxed body language while the TV is on, the dog interprets the environment as safe and may turn its attention to the screen.
Reinforcement patterns - owners who praise or pet the dog during moments of visual interest inadvertently reinforce the behavior, increasing the frequency of TV watching.
Proximity - a dog sitting or lying near the owner while the television is on perceives the activity as part of the shared space, which strengthens its interest in the content.

Research shows that owners who maintain consistent, low‑arousal behavior during television sessions create a predictable context that dogs are more likely to explore. In contrast, owners who frequently interrupt the program, move abruptly, or exhibit high‑energy reactions generate a competing stimulus that diverts the dog’s attention away from the screen.

Therefore, the owner’s demeanor directly influences whether a dog treats television as a passive backdrop or an engaging focal point. Adjusting personal behavior-remaining steady, offering occasional positive reinforcement, and staying physically close-optimizes the conditions under which a dog will watch television.

3.2.2. Type of Content Displayed

Dogs respond to visual and auditory cues that resemble natural stimuli. When a screen presents rapidly moving objects, high‑contrast patterns, or realistic animal sounds, canine attention increases. Content that mimics prey behavior-such as birds flapping, squirrels darting, or fish swimming-triggers instinctual chase responses. Videos featuring other dogs barking, whining, or panting elicit social interest, prompting the viewer to orient toward the source. Human faces with exaggerated expressions, especially smiles or vocalizations, engage dogs through their attunement to human emotional signals. Ambient noises like doorbells, car horns, or household appliances can also capture attention, as they resemble environmental alerts.

Key content categories influencing canine viewing:

Fast motion with sharp edges - bright colors, sudden direction changes, high frame rates.
Species‑specific sounds - recorded barks, whines, growls, bird chirps, rodent squeaks.
Social interaction cues - dogs interacting, humans speaking directly to the camera.
Repetitive rhythmic patterns - steady beats or repetitive motion that predictability aids focus.
Contrast‑rich scenes - black‑and‑white or high‑saturation images that stand out against the background.

Selecting material that aligns with these sensory triggers maximizes the likelihood that a dog will watch television.