J_thunders, does your "chowhound" pup happen to be an AmStaff? Mine has a whole different set of priorities than does my ex-girlfriend's Lab/Rotweiler mix. He actually pays attention to things (TV, music) while she has the priorities of an insatiable appetite for affection/attention, eating, sleeping, pooping, rolling in other animal's poop, and barking (not necessarily in that order).
I'll try the "nature sounds" thing to freak her out :-)