DogTV is a new cable channel made just for dogs. (Randy M. Ury / Corbis Bridge / Alamy)

Canine Cable

Now TV can keep your dog entertained while you’re at school

• PRINT
• EMAIL

Television has literally gone to the dogs! A new cable channel—DogTV—is just for pet pooches.

The shows are designed to keep dogs happy when they’re home alone. There are 80 million dogs in the country. But 15 to 17 percent of them have separation anxiety while their owners are away, says Nicholas Dodman, a veterinary behaviorist at Tufts University in Massachusetts. Dodman helped develop DogTV’s programming.

The shows on the network feature dogs that are napping, relaxing by a stream, swimming in a pool, and riding or driving around with their owners. To come up with the programming, Dodman and his research team identified colors, movements, and camera angles that match how dogs see, as well as music that they seem to like. The scientists also analyzed dogs’ moods and energy levels in deciding when to air particular shows. DogTV even has an educational component that teaches dogs hand signals and commands.

Many people already leave the TV or radio on for their pets, but most owners don’t realize that some shows and music can aggravate dogs, says Dodman. He says that regular TV keeps a dog’s attention for only 5 percent of the time. But when DogTV is on, dogs watch for 13 percent of the time. Dodman says those are just averages—a Maltese he studied watched for 80 percent of the time!

This article originally appeared in the November 19, 2012 issue of Math. For more from Math, click here.

• Scholastic Store
• 

  The Scholastic Store

  Little Scholastic: My Favorite Pets by Ackerman, Jill This innovative padded board book format provides a fun and stimulating way for curious preschoolers to learn about their favorite pets by seeing, hearing, and touching them. The 20-minute DVD brings the animals to life! Introducing Little Scholastic, a developmental publishing program of interactive books created exclusively to give babies and toddlers a head start in learning. Every book features: Interactive components High color contrast Rhyming, repetitive, or predictable text Familiar subjects and surroundings Simple concepts Distinct leveling between the ages of 0-3 years $10.39 You save: 20% books;board books;board picturebooks | Ages Birth-5

  
  Little Scholastic: My Favorite Pets
  Ages Birth-5 $10.39
  
• Scholastic Store
• 

  The Scholastic Store

  Clifford the Small Red Puppy by Norman Bridwell and Norman Bridwell How did Clifford the Big Red Dog come to live with Emily Elizabeth? You and your child can find out together as you read about the tiny red puppy that grew and grew. Featuring the unique illustrations and humor of Norman Bridwell, this story introduces your child to the reality that owning and caring for a pet requires a lot of responsibility and can bring some surprises! $3.19 You save: 20% books;paperback books;paperback picturebooks | Ages 3-5

  
  Clifford the Small Red Puppy
  Ages 3-5 $3.19
  

WHAT TO DO DogTV doesn’t come with your cable plan—you have to order it for an extra $4.99 per month. Use the chart in this skills sheet to answer the questions and see how purchasing DogTV fits into a pet-care budget.