Search - DVD For Dogs : While You Are Gone on DVD

Different reactions from different dogs

Ashley M. Labrie | South Florida | 04/13/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this DVD for my large breed mixed rescue who has SERIOUS separation anxiety issues. I work from home, and I thought this would be a good way to keep him entertained in the other room while I was working. After the mixed reviews I wasn't sure if he would go for it or not, but since this DVD had more bird scenes than others I figured it was worth a shot (my dog loves watching birds). I also have a little shih tzu that is just the sweetest little thing, but she is more independent so if she enjoyed the DVD, that would just be a perk. Well...this definitely wasn't what I expected!!!! LOL The intro features some shots of various dogs and barking, plus the occasional dog whistle sounds (I think that's the sonic sounds they refer to in the DVD writeup--the dog whistles go off periodically to get your pooches attention back to the screen). Next up was the beginning of our "virtual walk" which is literally a path scene then closeups of various animals. The first set of animals was a group of squeaking prairie dogs. My mixed breed dog was interested, but the shih tzu turned into a little MONSTER! I have NEVER seen anything like it, she is normally the sweetest, calmest little dog I have ever seen. Instead, she was a snarling, growling demon who belonged in a cage match. She snapped at me, the other dog, and ran around like a possessed maniac. Needless to say, I fast forwarded ahead. The next scenes were pretty much all various types of birds--ducks, flamingos, chickens/rooster, then some wild birds. Again, I got a reaction I wasn't expecting...the little shih tzu was peaceful, the large breed was interested, but the pair of finches in my living room? Shrieking, chirping, and *ahem* lovemaking ensued. This must be like Barry White for birds because for about 5 minutes of each set of bird scenes (especially the chickens and wild birds) all my finches did was chirp and chase each other around their cage, occasionally catching each other, at which point I would recommend you cover your child's eyes unless you want to explain what kind of playing they are doing. Again I skipped ahead--the coyote scenes and farm animal scenes didn't produce any reactions of note. The virtual fetch caught my shih tzu's attention. She sat transfixed, though she was "hiding" behind the coffee table to watch. All in all, I think the nature sounds alone are worth it, though I would warn anyone to put it on while you are home a few times to make sure you don't get any surprises. I wish you could make a playlist to play only the scenes your dog likes on a loop, or even just loop one scene (obviously I need to bypass the prairie dogs haha). Instead, the entire DVD is only one constant track so you can't skip scene to scene (unless you just fast forward)."