Pet technology is booming and has a growing popularity in the pet industry. While smart feeders and pet trackers might help secure your pet's safety and health, some products, like interactive cameras, might just do the opposite.
Many of us hate to leave those puppy-eyed four-legged families behind for work, school, etc. And people have come up with ways where you can literally facetime dogs and feed them at your will through technology. It's a great way to stay connected, and a great way to make sure your dogs are okay. However, while this might help you alleviate your stress from being away from your dogs, it may do the opposite for your dog.
Sure, it'd be great if your interactive camera is one of those products with the technology to give your dogs something to play with, like a laser point or some mentally stimulating feature. But when it comes to speaking and chatting with your dogs, it's different. One important thing to understand here is that dogs don't have the cognitive capacity to understand two-dimensional images or the fact that you're making a non-present connection. For many dogs, particularly those with separation anxiety, it could raise their anxiety instead of calming them down.
Many owners might peep at their loved pets through the camera and talk to them like "want a treat?" or "want to go for a walk?" This could very well excite the dog or lead them into believing you're home, or even believe they're getting taken out for a walk, ready for a potty break. Then you still may not be home for another couple of hours. This could lead to accidents at home or your dogs looking for you around the house with rising anxiety when really you're not there. Dogs can't understand a digital connection with you and owners shouldn't be exciting them with their voices when dogs can't understand that.
Instead, you can leave a piece of clothing that smells like you in their comfort place (like their doggy bed, your bed, etc) or make sure they get enough exercise that they will just be tired and sleep when you're away. There are many easy alternatives to making sure your dog is okay (e.g., using a camera that is not interactive) instead of talking to them for your own satisfaction.