From James Randi's Forum

Can't speak for dogs but many years ago had two cats - Germaine Growl and Madame Mew (Ger Bear and Maddy). Ger Bear was a very smart cat and Maddy was, well, not (though both went crazy for Little Friskies). Anyway, only one occasion with television comes to mind - my wife had turned on a science show (pre-cable) and a segment started on an experimental surgical procedure for increasing intelligence. Ger Bear popped up on the bed and stared at the screen through the whole segment - when it was over she jumped down off the bed and went on about her business. For several weeks after, we kept a close eye on the knives.