How many times have you told your dog, “I’ll be back soon” as you are going out? Or, “You are such a good boy”. This might surprise you, but dogs do understand some of what you are saying.
But how much can they understand and how do they perceive language? Today, we will talk about how to talk to dogs in a way they understand, and how much they pick up on human words.
Do Dogs Like When You Talk to Them?
Research published in Animal Cognition claims both puppies and adult dogs are attentive to our communication. The study also found that dogs like the high-pitched voice we use with babies and the even-toned language we use with adults. They do prefer the child-talk and hear all the words. Yet, that doesn’t mean your dog is interested in everything you have to say.
The study claims that dogs want to hear sentences that contain dog-relevant words, such as treat, walk, car ride, vet, and similar. These words will harness his attention, and the curiosity improves the bond between dogs and their owners.
The study concluded that dog-directed tone and dog-relevant words improve your pet’s attention.
How Do Dogs Perceive Language?
Dogs only understand words when they are associated with an action or reward. They connect the words we say, like “sit” and “come”, with the action and reward that follows. With enough repetitions, they begin to automatically sit expecting for the reward that will come with it.
When we talk to them, dogs observe our physical clues and determine what we want them to do or not do. In a way, dogs are the partners we all love to have who pay attention to our entire body language. They pay attention to facial expressions, posture, and body movement and combine all observations to determine the meaning of the word.
Say, for example, you smile and say “let’s go for a walk” with excitement, and your dog will wag his tail and come enthusiastically. But speak those same words with a gruff voice, and things will be different.
Some believe that dogs do not make a difference between a full sentence and a word. The argument is for dogs, some words have the same meaning as a full sentence.
Understanding Dog Intelligence
Canine experts for years say that the average canine intelligence is similar to that of a human toddler. Like toddlers, dogs can comprehend between 100 and 200 words, depending on breed. Border Collies, for example, are generally considered one of the smartest dog breeds recognizing more commands than an average dog.
Dogs are also capable of solving problems and figuring out the best path to get their wish. With the right training, you can teach a dog to push buttons, count, or do some simple arithmetic.
Do They Understand English?
Dogs don’t understand only one specific language. Some dogs understand English, while others understand Spanish, Italian, German, or French. As long as they are taught the commands the right way, they can understand it.
When a dog hears the word “sit” several times, it begins to associate the word with a particular behavior and consequence. In this case, the dog puts his bottom to the ground and gets a treat. It is the basis of classical conditioning. The more you reward it, the more dogs associate the word “sit” with a behavior.
Now, if the dog has something better to do, or something resulting in more attractive consequences, he might not sit. The same applies when the consequences of the desired command are not pleasant. That doesn’t mean your dog doesn’t understand you, it means he doesn’t want to do it.
What Does It Mean For You and Your Dog?
All of the research we mentioned earlier is a good step in understanding how your dog communicates with you. Your dog will never be able to verbally speak with you as humans do, but with the right training and meaningful connection you can communicate with your dog. Dogs listen to us and recognize words, gestures, and tone. Here are some takeaways on how to improve your communication, and have your dog be attentive and obedient.
Choose Your Words
Plan how you want to train your dog. Which words do you want him to respond to? Choose words that you can use for commands and avoid words that you often use in conversations with people. Help your dog understand which words have a meaning for him.
Be Consistent
Always use the same words for the same command. Once you pair a command with gesture and tone of voice, be consistent with it. Reward your puppy after following the command to help him associate the word with the action and praise.
Use a Sweet Tone for Reinforcing a Behavior
If you want your puppy to keep doing what he is doing, say something in a sweet tone. Use the same word and you will be more efficient. Look for words that have a good doggy sound and give you a friendly face.
Use a Serious Tone for Stopping a Behavior
If you do not want your dog to do something, or stop the behavior, use a serious tone. Do not yell. Use “stop” in an assertive tone and that should be enough. Do not use “no”, because it doesn’t stop the behavior, it just conveys information that your dog should try something else. Stop has a more definite command and consequence.
Keep it Simple
Your dog’s vocabulary is limited. Most dogs understand between 50 and 100 words, so stick to commands that are one to two words.
Keep it Short
Do not overwhelm your dog with too many commands. Work on one verbal command at a time when you are training. And when you are outside, give a command, and wait for your dog to follow it. Do not give 10 commands afterward. For example, do not try something in the line of “come, come here, here boy, come to me”.
Pay Attention to Body Language
Dogs associate words by looking at tone and body language. In some cases, body language is even more decisive for the behavior than the sound you are giving. Insecure body language can make your dog nervous or anxious, and he will not follow commands. Instead, display self-confident body language to give your dog more clarity and make him follow instructions readily.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Most importantly, reinforce training with positive rewards. Dogs want to please us, and you can take advantage of that by using praise and treats to reward proper behavior.
Final Words
Most pet parents will admit they talk freely to their dogs and their animals always seem to understand them. At the minimum, dogs appreciate when we talk to them.
Even if your dog will never fully grasp what you are saying, he can learn several verbal commands. For years, experts have studied dogs and tried to understand how much of the human language they grasp. We hope that with our tips on how to communicate with your dog, you can use them to your advantage.