Soon Chicago’s canine residents will be sitting pretty in front of a digital cable channel that caters especially to their wants

and needs.

DOGTV, cable’s first network for dogs created by San Diego’s PTV Media LTD, offers a promise to our stay-at-home pups that they should never again feel alone. This channel’s programming is scientifically developed to provide the right company for dogs when left at home alone.

Some of the world’s top pet experts have been researching for years to bring our canine pals the special content that will be shown on the 24/7 cable channel.

Nicholas Dodman, one of the most celebrated veterinary behaviorists, serves as DOGTV’s chief scientist. He’s worked along with Animal Planet’s Victoria Stillwell, a worldwide respected dog trainer, and Warren Eckstein, who has earned himself the title of “America’s most trusted pet expert.”

The programming was created to meet specific attributes of a dog’s sense of vision and hearing, which in turn supports their natural behavior patterns.

The outcome is a confident, happy dog that is less likely to develop stress, separation anxiety or other related problems after spending longer periods of time alone in the house or apartment.

According to dogtv.com, the channel serves as “the ideal babysitter for home alone dogs.” Research has shown that when we need to leave them home alone, our fluffy friends feel better in the company of television, especially when the right content is on.

DOGTV’s three types of programming offer relaxing and stimulating content, along with positive behavioral reinforcements.

RELAXATION

The content is designed to help the dogs relax, reduce their stress level and keep them calm through soothing music, sounds and visuals.

STIMULATION

Dogs need to be stimulated, which is hard to achieve when they are home alone. DOGTV uses stimulating scenes with and without other animals, animation sequences and a variety of moving objects to stimulate the dogs. Great care is taken to use just the rights sounds and frequencies to encourage the dog’s playfulness even when home alone.

EXPOSURE

Based on the most advanced veterinary science, DOGTV uses special sounds and visuals to help habituate the dog and make him more comfortable in his environment, by exposing him to different day-to-day stimuli.

When dogs are left alone, they can become anxious and suffer from a lack of stimulation. The calming sounds and music in the relaxing segments were created to help keep dogs peaceful, while the stimulating segments provide dogs with invigorating images, animation and exciting real-world sounds to keep them up and moving.

Put together, the programming meets your canine’s typical daily routine and helps to prevent mental fatigue, depression and boredom while at home alone.

This channel is unlike any other in the sense that every frame and sound of DOGTV is designed 100 percent with dogs in mind.

For example, programs are specially colored to enhance the picture’s details, with emphasis on contrast, brightness and frame rate. Special sound effects, music and specific ranges of frequencies are tailored to the animal’s unique sense of hearing.

DOGTV is recognized by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and uses concepts widely supported by leading organizations, including The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) as a valuable product that contributes to the enrichment and quality of dogs’ lives.

The channel is currently only available in San Diego’s COX channel, but is gearing up for a nationwide launch within the next few months. To preview the segments, find out when your television provider will carry the channel, or learn more by visiting the website at www.dogtv.com.