DogTV review: Exciting videos especially for dogs

Like many other Gen Y pet owners, I generally feel guilty about leaving my dogs home alone. If I know I'm going to be gone for a while, I leave the TV on to keep them entertained. I usually just choose a several-hour-long YouTube pet video, but if you're looking for a way to keep your dog occupied and relaxed while he's alone, consider DogTV.

DogTV is the first TV channel specifically for dogs, offering pet-specific content 24/7. The brand uses scientific research to create videos that can engage pets and reduce anxiety. We wanted to see if it really works, so we tested the app for a few weeks. Here's what we – and our dogs – think about DogTV.

What is DogTV

As the name suggests, DogTV is a dedicated television channel designed just for your pup. You can download the DOGTV app on most streaming devices, including Fire TV, Roku, and Apple TV, or purchase the channel as an a la carte option from cable providers like Dish, DirecTV, Xfinity, and Cox.

On the DogTV app, you can watch programming 24/7 or select specific videos for your pup. Most of the content is divided into three broad categories – relaxation, exposure and stimulation – and there are also some videos for humans, such as training guides. The brand claims that their content is scientifically proven to help reduce anxiety in dogs and provide enrichment for your pup during the day.

DogTV offers a seven-day free trial, after which you'll need a subscription to watch it. The app costs $9.99 per month and can be canceled at any time. You can get an annual subscription for $74.99, saving 35%. Alternatively, there's the option to purchase a lifetime membership for a one-time fee of $199.

What we like

It keeps dogs busy with bright colors and sounds

When I first turned on DogTV, the first thing I noticed was that the colors are processed to increase the saturation of blues and yellows, increasing contrast and making the images very vivid. The manufacturer explains that this helps dogs see the content, and as claimed, my dog ​​Ace was immediately captivated by what was happening on the screen. He was able to follow the people and dogs with ease, and the content held his attention longer than regular TV.

Although there are different types of content on DogTV, Ace found the “stimulation” videos to be the most interesting. They feature high-energy content, such as dogs running around, barking, and playing, and the audio is more engaging as well. The videos often include sounds like a squeaky toy or someone saying “Good boy/girl!”, which helped to get Ace's attention.

There is an impressive catalog of content

Browsing the DogTV app, I was surprised at how much content is offered for your pup. The 24/7 program combines all three types of content – relaxation, exposure and stimulation – with shorter videos that change every five minutes or so. I've turned the program on for my dogs on several different days and we've never seen the same content played twice.

However, if your dog likes a particular type of content, you can browse through longer videos on the app, from 30 to 60 minutes. There are entire seasons for each content type, and you can find everything from hiking videos and dogs playing on the beach to calming landscapes. There are even programs designed for both people and pets, including training guides and fun farm shows.

We tried out different videos and Ace especially liked anything with wild animals. The app lets you select your favorite videos and watch them again later, so we put together a collection of videos that he seemed to like.

What we don't like

It is best for dogs who already enjoy watching TV

While Ace really enjoyed watching DogTV content, I can't say the same for my other dog, Addy. She would occasionally look at the screen when a squeaky toy sound was heard, but never showed any real interest in the content. This didn't surprise me, as she's never had any interest in watching TV – while Ace often gets excited when he sees a dog or cat on a TV show, Addy rarely reacts to what's happening on the screen.

Given the contrasting reactions of my two dogs, it's fair to say that DogTV works best with pups who already have some interest in watching TV. If your pup is like Addy, DogTV probably won't interest him. Luckily, you can use the free trial to see if your dog likes the content before committing to a subscription.

We had some minor issues with the app

I've been playing mostly DogTV videos on my Samsung Smart TV. While I was able to download the app without any issues, I noticed a few bugs while testing it. First, I couldn't add the app to my TV's home screen, which meant I had to open the app store and search for it every time I wanted to use it. That would definitely be annoying if you plan on using the app on a daily basis.

Additionally, the DogTV app often stayed open in the background after I closed it. The audio continued to play even when I navigated to another app, and I often had to turn the TV off and on again to stop it. I'm not the only one having issues, either—on the Google and Apple app stores, many reviewers report issues with the app crashing or not loading properly. So while the app works on smart TVs, it could use some fine-tuning.

It is quite expensive

As mentioned above, a subscription to DogTV costs $9.99 per month or $74.99 per year, which works out to about $6.25 per month. That's about as much as most streaming apps for humans! I can see myself paying a few dollars per month for the service, but personally I can't justify the high price, especially since there's plenty of comparable content for free on YouTube.

Should you sign up for DogTV?

Maybe if your dog already likes watching TV.

If you want to keep your pup entertained during the day, DogTV has plenty of fun and engaging content specifically designed to hold their attention. There are dozens of videos to choose from, including both calming and stimulating options. The 24/7 programming is a convenient option that you can just tune in before you head off to work.

However, the content is most appealing to dogs who already have some interest in watching TV – if your dog doesn't generally respond to what's happening on screen, DogTV probably won't appeal to them. The subscription is also quite expensive at $9.99 per month, so take advantage of the seven-day free trial to see if your dog likes the content before committing to a long-term subscription.