How To Pick TV Shows Your Dogs Actually Want To Watch

Every dog owner knows you have to give your pooch lots of physical exercise. Unless you don't mind coming home to a couch your fur baby decided to shred just to get his energy out. But a bored dog can be just as much a problem. "Dogs need mental stimulation just as much as they need physical exercise", according to christophertodd.com. And TV shows are a great way to keep your dog's focus while you're gone.

Like most people, I have a morning routine. Fighting with the alarm clock, stumbling to the coffee pot for my life juice, and desperately looking for my car keys that I left in the fridge (don't ask). But my biggest challenge is trying to figure out what I’m going to put on the TV for my dogs to watch all day.

Yes, I am one of those dog parents.

I have two dogs. Kobe, who is oblivious to everything unless it's a good trashcan that he can “investigate”, and Betty Blue, who watches TV more intently than I do. When it comes to Kobe, I don't have to think about it, but Betty notices everything, especially if there's another animal on the screen. Then she loses her mind. Which means I must find something that she can watch without hyperventilating.

So, what do I put on? A Dwayne the Rock end-of-the-world thriller could work. Or maybe some campy horror flick like "Evil Dead”? That might be fun.

A Ryan Gosling flick? Nah, that would be too cruel.

Thinking about all the TV shows I could put on for the dogs, I consider how Betty would handle each one.

Sure, this seems like a good idea and the intentions are respectable, but Betty would lose her mind all day long. It’s super weird how in tune she is with dog commercials. She could be in a dead sleep when the commercial starts, and she’ll wake up and be at the TV panting before the dog even comes on. She is psychotic… I mean psychic… in that way. DogTV would put her in stimulation overload.

Verdict: NO.

Do I want to do this to my dogs? Verywellmind.com says watching too much news can "lead to feelings of worry, anxiety, and depression." I don’t even want to do that to myself. Then again, someone has to keep up with world updates, right? Why not our dogs? I think they can handle it better than we can. In fact, I know they can because they don’t buy all that garbage. Seriously, do you see dogs about to get into a civil war over rainbows, chicken sandwiches, and pop singers? Nope, they just want to chew bones, smell each other's butts, and lick genitals (theirs included).

Verdict: Possible

Tubi rules. I love this app. It’s loaded with old movies that either you may have forgotten or need to forget. From old cheesy 80’s comedy and sugary sweet 90’s love stories to some super horror thriller from 2010. Starring some actor that faded away faster than Yik Yak.

Plus, you gotta love the rabbit hole they can take you in. You start by watching "Shawshank Redemption" or "Con Air" and before you know it, you're watching "Ernest Goes To Jail". You may not think Tubi is the answer, but guess what, it's free TV, and free is always the answer. Best part? It's the perfect amount of mental stimulation for a dog who acts like every pet commercial is doggy porn.

Verdict: Yes

For us, Tubi wins. For others, it might be something else. Some dogs, like Betty Blue, need specific considerations when it comes to the kind of TV shows they can handle. Others, like Kobe, couldn't care less and would be totally cool with a cardboard box painted to look like a TV. It's a matter of preference. Just pay attention to how your dog reacts to each show until you find one that fits. Just don't give them the password to your Skinemax subscription.

There's something truly special about having a close relationship with your pet. They say a dog is "man's best friend," and it's totally accurate. I have friends and family who truly feel like their pets are a member of the family. Pets will be there for you through thick and thin. Pets are also know for being loyal, which can be a really good feeling in this world. So, what are the most popular dogs right now?

Danspetcare.com has a great article out that names the most popular dogs in the world right now. In it, they describe that special relationship that one has with their pet. "From hunting to sled-pulling to herding and protection, dogs have helped us survive and thrive in countless ways," they explain. "One of the most important roles dogs play in our lives is companionship."

So, what do you do if you're in the market for a new dog? Danspetcare.com has some good advice on how to pick the right breed. They explain that finding the right breed is a big part of that decision. So, ask yourself, do you want a delicate breed or a more meaty, masculine breed? Also, what's the purpose of you wanting a pet? Do you want a pet for protection, or are you looking for a small buddy for some companionship?

Either way, when you're in the market for a new pet, make sure to have lots of questions and ask the right people before settling on your little guy or gal. I remember one of my friends buying the cutest little puppy ever only to see it grow into a huge dog that was almost too big for her apartment. She loved him, but it was quite a surprise. Read on to discover the most popular dogs right now and some more stats. Find more via Danspetcare.com here

According to Danspetcare.com, the most popular dog in the world is the Labrador Retriever. "They’re often used to provide comfort and reassurance for anxious humans," the study says. So true. No. 2 are Golden Retrievers and No. 3 are German Shepherds. Find more via Danspetcare.com here.

Dogpackapp.com has an article out about the most popular dog breeds right now. No. 1 on the list is the French bulldog. Those dogs are adorable, right? No. 2 is the Labrador Retriever and No. 3 is the Golden Retriever. Very popular, of course. Find the full list here.

What about the most common dogs? According to A-z-animals.com, No. 1, again are Labrador Retrievers, followed by Bulldogs and Rottweiler. The German Shepherd and Dachshund round out the top five. Find the full list here.

What if you want a small pup? The smallest dog breed, according to Forbes.com is the Pomeranian at 3-7 pounds. So cute. It's followed by the Toy Poodle and Toy Fox Terrier. Find the full list here.

What if you want a really big dog? According to Forbes.com, the largest dog breed is the Mastiff at 120-230 pounds. It's followed by the Boerboel and Tosa Inu. Find the full list here.

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