TV & Music and Your Great Dane

Woof! Let me tell you about something super important – TV and music! As a Great Dane, I have some pretty strong opinions about what comes out of those magical boxes in your living room.

First off, we dogs have way better hearing than you humans. So when you blast that heavy metal music, my ears feel like they’re going to fall off! Trust me, I’d rather listen to some nice classical music or soft jazz. It makes me feel all zen and relaxed, like I’m floating on a cloud made of dog treats.

Now, regarding TV shows, I’m pretty particular about what I watch. Those nature documentaries with barking seals? Pure torture! But give me a good cooking show, and I’ll sit there drooling for hours. I keep hoping someone will accidentally drop a steak through the screen.

Here’s a funny thing about us Great Danes – we might be huge, but loud noises make us turn into giant scaredy-cats. Thunder, fireworks, or your neighbor’s leaf blower can send me running to hide under the coffee table (even though I obviously don’t fit).

The best part about having good TV and music choices? It keeps my giant brain busy when you’re not around to entertain me. Because let’s be honest – a bored Great Dane is a destructive Great Dane, and nobody wants to come home to a couch that looks like it exploded!

Behavioral Responses to TV and Music Stimuli

Woof! Let me tell you about how we Great Danes handle all those crazy sounds and pictures coming from your TV and music speakers. Trust me, it’s quite the adventure from down here on the floor!

First off, we have some serious sound sensitivity issues. When something loud blasts from the TV, my ears perk up faster than you can say “treat time!” Sometimes I become so alert that I start barking at the screen, as if I’m protecting the whole house from invisible invaders. My humans think it’s hilarious, but hey, someone’s got to keep everyone safe!

Then there’s our visual tracking skills. When something moves really fast across the screen – like a car chase or a bouncing ball – my eyes lock onto it like a laser. I’ll follow that movement back and forth until my neck gets tired. Sometimes I even try to look behind the TV to see where everything went. Spoiler alert: there’s nothing back there except dust bunnies.

Here’s how we typically react to different sounds and sights:

What We Experience	How We Usually React
Loud sounds	We get super alert and might bark
Fast-moving visuals	We track them with laser focus
Calm music	We chill out and relax
High-pitched tones	We get anxious or really excited

The funny thing is, calm music actually helps us relax. When my humans put on soft tunes, I’ll plop down and let out a big sigh of contentment. But throw in some high-pitched squeaking sounds, and suddenly I’m either bouncing around with excitement or hiding behind the couch looking worried. Recognizing these behavioral indicators of distress can help my humans understand my emotional state during those moments.

Every Great Dane has their own personality when it comes to TV and music. Some of my buddies couldn’t care less about what’s on screen, while others react to every doorbell sound effect as if it were the real deal. Understanding how we react helps humans create a more comfortable and enjoyable environment.

Best Practices for Integrating TV and Music Into Great Dane Care

How to Train Your Humans to Give Me the Best TV and Music Experience

Hey there, fellow Great Danes! It’s me, your giant buddy with the even bigger opinions about entertainment. Let me tell you how I’ve trained my humans to make my TV and music time absolutely pawsome.

First up – television! I’ve got my humans wrapped around my enormous paw when it comes to picking shows. I sit really close to the screen and wag my tail like crazy when I see other dogs. My humans think they’re “observing my engagement,” but really, I’m just showing them what I want to watch.

I strategically wag my tail at the screen to ensure my humans pick the best dog shows!

Animal Planet? Tail goes nuts. Boring human drama? I walk away, and they get the hint. Pretty smart for a species that can’t even lick their own backs, right?

Music is where things get interesting. I’ve discovered that if I howl along to certain songs, my humans think I “prefer” that genre. Little do they know I’m actually critiquing their terrible taste!

But hey, if my dramatic howling gets them to play more classical music, I’ll take it. Mozart makes my ears happy, and boy, are these ears big enough to appreciate good tunes.

When I’m stressed (usually because someone rang the doorbell and I forgot I’m not actually a guard dog), my humans have learned to put on soft music. They call it “promoting relaxation,” but I call it “smart humans finally figuring out what makes a 150-pound baby feel better.” It’s also important to note that a stable, loving environment has a significant impact on my overall well-being.

The best part? They limit my screen time so I get more walks and playtime. Joke’s on them – I love running around way more than watching TV anyway!

Creating a Comfortable Environment for Your Great Dane

Woof! Let me tell you about creating the perfect hangout spot for us, Great Danes. Trust me, I’m an expert on this topic!

First things first – we need BEDS. Big, fluffy, cloud-like beds that can handle our giant paws and massive bodies. I’m talking beds so cozy that even my human gets jealous when they see me sprawled out like a furry king. None of those tiny cushions that make us look like we’re trying to squeeze into a dollhouse!

Now, regarding the layout of our space, we need room to zoom around when we get the zoomies, but we also need quiet spots where we can hide when the vacuum cleaner monster comes out. It’s all about balance, people! One minute we’re galloping around like horses, and the next we’re trying to become invisible behind the couch.

Soft blankets are basically magic for us. The fluffier, the better!

And please, keep our favorite stinky toys nearby. I know that squeaky hamburger doesn’t smell great to you, but it smells like home to me. Those familiar scents evoke feelings of safety and happiness.

The secret sauce? Mix comfort with fun stuff to keep our brains busy. We might be gentle giants, but we still need entertainment! Orthopedic bedding is essential for us, Great Danes, to ensure we get the support we need for our joints while we lounge about.

Give us a space where we can relax like royalty AND have adventures. That’s what makes us truly happy pups!

Final Thoughts

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “But doesn’t all that noise make you nervous?” Well, let me tell you something – I LOVE our movie nights! Sure, sometimes I get a little jumpy when I hear a doorbell sound on TV (because, obviously, I need to protect the house from fictional visitors), but mostly it’s awesome.

Music is pretty great too. I’ve got to admit, I’m not a massive fan of heavy metal – all that banging hurts my sensitive ears. But put on some nice jazz or classical music? Now we’re talking! It makes me feel relaxed and sophisticated, as if I’m wearing an invisible tuxedo.

The best part about TV time is snuggling with you on the couch. Yes, I know I’m basically the size of a small horse, but your lap looks so comfy! Don’t worry, I’ll just put one paw up there. Okay, maybe two paws. Fine, I’m basically sitting on you now, but isn’t this cozy?

What I really love is watching animal shows together. Those nature documentaries are fascinating! Though I do get confused when other dogs appear on screen. Where are they? Why can’t I smell them? Are they hiding behind the TV?

The key is picking the right stuff for us to enjoy together. I promise I’ll try not to howl along with the theme songs… but I make no guarantees about that one commercial with the squeaky toy sounds.

References

• https://www.petplay.com/blogs/tips/great-dane-growth-and-weight-chart-all-you-need-to-know
• https://www.dogster.com/dog-health-care/great-dane-size-weight-growth-chart
• https://puppygrowthcalculator.com/great-dane-growth-chart/
• https://www.pawlicy.com/blog/great-dane-growth-and-weight/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Dane