Dogs upset from TV

[marksme]

Why is my new yorkie pup always barking when it hears a dog bark on TV?
Can't dogs tell the difference from what they hear on TV and real dogs
outside. I was watching Dog Whisper on National Geo Wild and like Corky
went nuts! Then it acted like it was watching the dogs on the TV?  This
dogs is starting to make me wonder whats'op? I'm worrried there is something wrong
with this dog?

[marksme]

Thank is so good to know your dogs are very much like mine. If you think about what a good life they have by being part of our lives, it makes you want to smile about your dogs who have gone on to heaven. They are there waiting for the day we all be together again. Life has it's ups and downs with family, friends, and especially our furry friends. I thank God that we
get to share all these good moments. Corky is sticking next to me like
glue, which I guess is a bonded they naturally do. The breeder who we
got Corky from actually watched him a week ago with Sissy while we
went to visit Family at Christmas and Corky could not wait to get back
in our arms. I guess he thought we left him :). It was nice to know he
knows were he got it good, no competition from all those other dogs.
Sissy has really done so much better with a healthy dog in the house.
It's been so long I had a healthy animal, it's hard to get use to, but
I guess you could say I was do. I always love all animals and the
underdogs, like Jack, Sammy, Scrappy, all who had something going against them, but Corky is healthy pup is nice. Friday he gets fixed, which will be a blessing since he's started marking..if you know what I mean.

Mark

[tonyb286]

There's a new advert just started on TV here in the UK that has a doorbell, which sounds exactly like our real doorbell. This now has my dog Giro going crazy every single time it's on tv. He doesn't even relate the sound to the tv, but instead goes running barking into the hallway and stands guarding the front door for about 10 minutes. Ha. Tony

[TwoBitsMom]

Mark...
Thank-You for this uplifting post...!   I have been so busy between Christmas company, and work, that I haven't been able to get on the computer. It is now 11:30 Monday night...and finally I am able to return here...!   I just started looking at the posts, and wondering which ones I should answer. They have all been so heartbreaking, I haven't wanted to answer any....then, I see yours.
What a welcome post.  
Corky sounds adorable. What fun to watch him learn about the world...!
I have to crack up, because not only do my dogs bark at other dogs on TV, but every time they hear a doorbell on TV, or a car honk on TV....the barking begins...and they all make a mad beeline for the front door....with teeth gnashing, spit flying and hair standing on end...!  What a show...9 times out of 10, it's better than what's on TV..!
Oh how I love my snarlers...!  

[ginger899]

My dog loves watching any animals on TV, and reacts much more interestedly, with little noises of greeting if she sees dogs, wolves or even puppies. As far as she is concerned a wolf is the same as a dog presumably because it is dog-shaped. Other animals she responds to in different ways, and is capable of distinguishing what she considers as prey" animals (such as squirrels, rats etc) Creatures such as crocodiles, elephants, lions, etc she just stares at in a fascinated way, probably because she cannot relate them to her experience, and has no knowledge of them.
But then, because my dog is a pretty quiet dog, not much of a barker, she doesn't bark at any of them, just makes greeting sounds (whistling, whining noises)
I have even seen her respond once or twice to a large-ish 2 dimensional picture of a dog. I used to think that was impossible, and dogs couldn't recognize flat still pictures...but she proved that theory wrong.
I have even caught my dog watching cartoons! She looked very interested in what she was watching!

I don't think there's a thing wrong with your Yorkie responding to things on the TV that he finds interesting. They probably view the TV as a window on a world of things to see, much as they might view an actual window. But when it's shut off, my dog pays it no attention at all.

[marksme]

Thanks Tony, I just brought this up to so that not everything has to be life threatening, although it's seems that is the main topic when it gets to this site. Yes, I'm getting use to Corky. Since I have allergies, it's good to have
a Yorkies. They are good little dogs. Jack is always there with me, but I accept he's OK and I'm better to had him in my life. I know you feel the same about your dog Tony. All the best for 2012. Thanks for your kindness and friendship.

Mark

[tonyb286]

Hi Mark. No, nothing's wrong. It's a very natural reaction, though different dogs react in different ways. Dogs are as you know very pack orientated, so if they hear another dogs barking or howling, they first tend to listen (while they work out whether it's an aggressive bark or a communication bark), then they will start barking or howling or whining themselves. This is the dog trying to communicate with the other dog or dogs.

Most dogs are not totally aware of their own presence, so a dog on TV can be regarded quite easily as a real dog in a real situation. Most dogs do eventually learn that the tv screen is not the real world, but rather like a window that they are seeing through. Obviously, dogs are not aware of technology, so they cannot appreciate the other barking dog is not actually a real one, even though they cannot get to it.

My own dog, Giro, is now 6 yrs old and thoroughly enjoys seeing other dogs on TV. He will sit quite happily infront of the screen, occasionally barking, and sometimes just sitting there glued to the screen.

The same scenario is true of mirrors. Most pups see themselves in a mirror and believe it to be another dog. Over time, they come to realise it is not a dog they can get to - but whether they realise the reflection is them is something dog behaviourists have debated for a long time (often without conclusion). Most believe they cannot perceive themselves like humans can, and the reflection just becomes another part of the room like a chair or table. Dogs have such a powerful sense of smell that most close up communication between dogs is achieved through their noses, and of course neither a tv screen or a reflection in a mirror has a doggy smell, so it quickly becomes uninteresting to them. Tony