Dogs have it rough. Hundreds of TV channels and nothing’s on.
DirecTV is going to fix that with DogTV, a year-old network that will become available on the satellite TV service on Aug. 1 According to the DogTV website:
Research shows that dogs feel better in the company of television, especially when the right content is on. DOGTV provides television for dogs with three types of programming offering relaxing and stimulating content as well as positive behavioral reinforcements. DOGTV’s television programming meets a dog’s typical daily routine and helps prevent mental fatigue, depression and boredom.
They’re not kidding, and apparently have done lots of research on this.
The site’s FAQ cites an American Kennel Club study showing half of dog participants were interested in what happened on the screen, and elsewhere lists several pet experts who support and helped develop the science behind the channel. There was a lot of trial and error, too.
“At first we had a lot of barking sounds on the channel,” DogTV co-founder Ron Levi told USA Today. “But we learned that dogs got irritated by that.”
Here’s a one-minute sample of programming meant to soothe the savage, home-alone beast:
DirecTV is making the channel available for $4.99 a month (all DirecTV subscribers can get it for free the first two weeks, and those who order the channel before Aug. 10 will get it free for a month), but you don’t need DirecTV to watch. You can order an online package for $70 a year or $10 per month, and it also works with Roku streaming devices. It will eventually come to other providers, the network’s site says.
Would you raise your cable bill — and your electric bill, if you don’t normally leave the TV on when you’re out — for your dog? Tell us what you think on our Facebook page.
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