One of the many joys of pet ownership is the degree to which a dog bonds with his human masters. But when that bonding grows so strong that being separated from his people causes physical symptoms, such as pacing or vomiting, steps are required to return the troubled pooch to emotional equilibrium. Enter DogTV. Developed to reduce stress and improve cognitive development in dogs, it has been scientifically tested and is now being offered to certain subscribers to Cox Cable and Time Warner television stations.
The programming is designed to expose a lonely dog to either relaxing or engaging stimuli. The relaxation segment uses calm sounds and images to sooth the dog, the stimulation segment features active camera movements and animation, and the exposure segment aims to comfort and habituate the dog by altering the stimuli he receives each day. The three segments work in tandem to improve the emotional balance of a dog who might otherwise be overcome with anxiety. Already, many humane societies across the country have expressed interest in the programming, which they see as an easy way to reach dozens of dogs at a time.
The channel's developers acknowledge that their content will not ease anxiety in every dog. Some other suggestions for calming an anxious dog include leaving him an item that smells like you, or establishing a corner or other place in the home where he can be agitated without destroying property. In any case, such a dog should have plenty of toys and preferably access to a distracting window. If neither TV nor real life are enough to improve his mood, you may need to take the dog to a professional.
Source: DogTV
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I am hopeful about DogTV's
I am hopeful about DogTV's potential. I like the fact that the producers have been so careful in the design of the programming. I believe I have read elsewhere that they have removed sounds on the spectrum that would be potentially frightening or annoying to dogs, while inserting sounds that would produce interest or, alternately, relaxation. And, as you mentioned, there are revolving segments designed to encourage rest or arousal. All of that is potentially useful to a home alone dog, and what a creative product!
I only hope that owners will realize they should also play the programming at times when they are at home, so that turning it on does not become a signal to the dog that the owners will be away, thereby potentially producing anxiety. Also, canine separation anxiety can be a very complicated and challenging issue, and I would hate for owners to believe that this alone will resolve it (although in very mild cases, perhaps it will). That said, knowing that Dr. Nicholas Dodman is the lead scientist leads me to believe that this is a quality product grounded in science, and I hope it will be helpful to dogs with separation issues, as part of a comprehensive behavior modification program.
- Nicole Wilde, author "Don't Leave Me! Step-by-Step Help for Your Dog's Separation Anxiety"