I know dogs can hear the sound because we once had a collie and he was always interested in the TV when 'One Man & His Dog' was shown.
But can a dog see a picture?
I am interested as my partner has just heard on the radio about Doggy TV in America where you leave the TV on for the dog when you are out!!!!
I don't know about dogs, but cats certainly can - mine have stalked many a wildlife programme (and No 1 Son hid behind the sofa once when a lion came on the screen!)
My cats use to go round the back to find what was on the screen and when they failed they use to watch the picture and put their paws around to try to get whatever was on the screen. They did the same with mirrors. After a few failed attempts they would give up. If dogs do the same it wouldn't keep their interest for long.
When we had Crufts on, mine would watch the screen and sometimes bark at it. When the dogs were led off (the side of the screen) mine both ran round through the door into the hallway, as if looking to see where they'd gone. They've never done it with any other programme.
My yellow lab did used to bark and run to the door if a doorbell rang on TV. I knew there was no one there because we have not got a bell on the front door
My dog is an avid TV viewer. Unfortunately, because he goes berserk when ANY animal appears on the screen I have to watch wildlife programmes on my PC.
He now recognises the music of all the ads which have animals in, and as soon as it starts he's got his nose to the screen before they actually appear.
One of mine watches every animal program. He loved the penguin programmes recently and sat and watched Babe in its entirety. If he finds it really interesting he does his meerkat impression and you get the back of his head popping up in the middle of what your trying to watch.
Never mind about dogs. My great grandfather, on seeing a wireless set for the first time, went round the back of it to see where the voices were coming from.
And yes, dogs can and do. Mine have the TV on when I'm out (must take the remote off them). They are most interested in watching a programme when it has the sound of a puppy, or a dog in distress or very angry. There should be a warning: "This programme contains scenes which some dogs may find distressing, and some adult barks"
There's a 'should have gone to Specsavers' advert featuring a Gaelic song. If my dog's in another room it will run in if it hears it to bark at the sheep on the screen.