Why do people leave TV on for their dogs when they go out? Study has an answer

If you have ever left the television on for your dog before stepping out, you may have wondered whether the habit is actually useful or simply a little overprotective.

Filling the water bowl, arranging a favourite blanket, leaving a toy nearby and switching on the TV can become part of a familiar goodbye routine. But psychology suggests there may be more behind these small gestures than simply keeping a pet entertained.

The behaviour may reflect the emotional attachment people develop with their dogs and their instinct to make separation feel less difficult.


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Psychology behind why people leave the TV on for their dogs when they go out

The bond between people and their dogs can resemble other close attachment relationships, according to research applying attachment theory to human-pet relationships.

As per a Bolde report, psychologists Sigal Zilcha-Mano, Mario Mikulincer and Phillip Shaver examined how attachment concepts apply to relationships between people and their pets. Their research suggested that dogs can function as both a “safe haven” and a “secure base”.

A safe haven is someone or something a person turns to for comfort during stressful moments, while a secure base can provide a sense of safety that allows someone to explore the world with greater confidence.

This helps explain why many people instinctively seek out their dogs after a difficult day or feel calmer simply by having their pet nearby.

Study found dogs can provide comfort during distress

Research by psychologist Lawrence Kurdek at Wright State University also highlighted the strength of the human-dog bond.

In a study involving nearly 1,000 dog owners, participants reported that they were more likely to seek comfort from their dogs when distressed than from several family members and close friends, including their mothers, fathers, siblings and children. Romantic partners ranked higher.

The findings illustrate why leaving a dog behind can feel emotionally significant for an owner as well as for the animal.

Why owners create goodbye routines for dogs

People cannot explain to their dogs that they will return after dinner or leave a note saying when they will be home.

Instead, they often rely on familiar actions.

A filled water bowl, a favourite toy, a blanket on the sofa or the television playing in the background can become part of a predictable sequence before the owner leaves.

The individual objects may not be particularly important. What matters could be the familiarity of the routine.

For the owner, these actions can also provide reassurance. Doing something caring before leaving may make the separation feel less abrupt.

Familiar routines may help dogs handle separation

Dogs are highly responsive to their owners and to everyday patterns. Research into dog-human attachment has found that an owner's presence can influence a dog's behaviour and emotional responses.

This does not mean that leaving the television on will prevent separation anxiety. However, maintaining familiar routines can help make departures more predictable.

A dog may learn to associate a particular sequence of events with its owner's departure and eventual return.

In that sense, the TV may be less important than the routine surrounding it.

Is television actually good for dogs?

Whether a dog enjoys having the television on varies from one animal to another.

Some dogs may respond to sounds, voices or movement on the screen, while others may completely ignore it and fall asleep shortly after their owners leave.

The television should therefore not be viewed as a treatment for separation-related problems. At most, it can be part of an environment that feels familiar to the pet.

If a dog experiences severe distress when left alone, such as persistent barking, destructive behaviour, attempts to escape or self-injury, professional advice from a veterinarian or qualified animal behaviour professional may be necessary.

Strong pet attachment does not always mean better wellbeing

The relationship between pet ownership, attachment and human wellbeing is more complicated than it may initially appear.

Psychologist Hal Herzog reviewed more than 100 studies examining the relationship between pets and human health and wellbeing. His review found that the evidence was mixed rather than consistently showing that stronger attachment to pets automatically leads to greater happiness.

Some research has also linked anxious attachment to pets with greater psychological distress among certain owners.

That means a loving relationship with a dog should not automatically be treated as a solution to loneliness, stress or other emotional difficulties.

The small rituals may be about connection

Leaving the television on for a dog may ultimately have little to do with whether the animal actually watches it. The more meaningful part may be the ritual itself.

People regularly leave small reminders of care behind when they separate from someone they love, preparing breakfast for a partner, leaving a note for a child or making sure someone has everything they need before heading out. Pet owners can develop similar habits with their animals.

So, the next time someone switches on the TV, straightens the blanket and says goodbye to their dog before leaving the house, it may not be as silly as it looks.

The dog might fall asleep within minutes. But the ritual can still serve a purpose: maintaining a sense of familiarity and care when the person is temporarily away.


Inputs from agencies