What Do Human Voices Sound Like To Dogs?

have you ever wondered just how much your dog understands when you talk to them do they know their name you might be surprised to find out that our canine friends understand way more than we often think they do Recent research by Canadian scientists who studied 165 dogs found that on average dogs can respond to about 89 words and phrases ranging anywhere from 15 to 215 from simple commands like sit and stay to more complex ones like let's go for a walk dogs are pretty good at linking words to actions and objects but their understanding goes Deeper Than Just Words like little kids who really pick up on tone and body language to figure out what's being said dogs are just as tuned in to how we express ourselves if you say walk with excitement they'll probably bolt to the door but say it sternly and you might see them back off or whine dogs have been hanging out with humans longer than any other domesticated animals developing a knack for picking up on our emotional cues and standing a wide range of verbal signals so how do dogs get what we're saying studies show that dogs can learn names and other straightforward words in just about a week much like 2-year-old kids this fast learning shows that dogs don't just hear our words they really process them in ways that connect to their daily lives when you call your dog by name or command something familiar they're not just reacting to noise they're looking forward to the actions linked to those sounds like the fun of a walk or the satisfaction of meal time also another study has given us even more insight into how dogs make sense of what we say it turns out dogs do more than listen to our words they also watch our body movements and listen to the tone of our voice this study used MRI scans to watch how dogs brains react to human speech for instance when researchers said good boy in a happy tone it lit up both sides of the dog's brain showing they really got it but when the same words were said in a plain tone only one side lit up up and sometimes the dogs didn't catch the praise even more cool when dogs heard random words like however in a cheerful tone only the emotional side of their brain responded while the language side didn't kick in this tells us that dogs need both the emotional and the language parts of their brain working together to fully grasp our words the study also found that the reward center in the brain which lights up for things like love play or treats only fired up when the dogs heard un understandable words in a tone they liked so while it's great to praise your dog saying it sweetly makes it all the better dogs will notice things like our posture gestures facial expressions and the tone of our voice while we are saying something to them they combine all the physical and verbal cues to figure out the meaning for example when you say come here with open arms and a warm smile they not only hear the command but also read the welcoming gesture and respond more enthusiastically most words are learned through plenty of repetition the tone of your voice and your actions reinforcing how important it is to communicate clearly and positively as we keep talking to our dogs it's super important to remember that both what we say and how we say it matter a lot by mixing the right words with the right tones we can really improve how we connect with our dogs making every command or praise count more if a dog can learn as many as 89 words on average then certainly learning their own name isn't a big stretch in fact it typically takes takes about a week to teach a dog their name along with other basic words but how can you be sure your dog actually recognizes their name and isn't just reacting to the sound of your voice well there are a few clear signs for instance if you call their name they might run towards you even if they're far away or perhaps when you're in the same room and you say their name they look directly at you expecting interaction you might also see them wag their tail perk up their ears or even bark in response these reactions all indicate that your dog knows you're addressing them specifically by using their name dogs typically learn their names through a process known as classical conditioning this happens naturally when you use their name while giving them food petting them calling them over or showering them with attention unlike formal education classical conditioning doesn't require conscious effort from the dog so they don't need to actively memorize their name as if they were studying for a test over time they simply start a associating their name with positive experiences and hearing their name becomes a reliable cue to get their attention this is because dogs are highly attuned to human voice patterns and can discern specific words including their names by the tone pitch and inflection used by their owners so do dogs really know their names absolutely as long as they've been given the chance to learn them when in a group dogs can even distinguish their name from another dog's name in a study it was found that dogs understand their names in a way similar to how babies do just as babies start to turn their heads when they hear their names signaling the beginning of language comprehension dogs also show a rudimentary linguistic ability when they look at you upon hearing their name teaching your dog their name involves patience consistency and plenty of positive reinforcement it's crucial to keep name learning separate from other training to avoid confusion always use an upbeat and happy tone when call their name especially if they're not looking at you once they look your way immediately say something affirming like yes and give them a treat right away to reinforce the connection remember timing is everything the treat must come immediately after they respond to their name to ensure they make the right Association however avoid using their name when they're highly distracted or during moments of frustration if you call them while they're distracted like when they're chasing a squirrel they might learn that respon fonding isn't necessary similarly using their name when you're angry could lead them to associate it with negative experiences which can make them hesitant to respond in the future as your dog becomes more familiar with their name you can gradually begin using it to redirect their attention from minor distractions progressively moving to more challenging situations always reward generously for their responsiveness and ensure they've mastered responding to their name reliably before you consider letting them off leash in public space faces knowing their name and responding promptly can be crucial in preventing accidents and ensuring their safety while dogs can understand a range of human words it's crucial for us as their companions to appreciate how dogs naturally communicate and express their feelings primarily through body language dogs utilize a complex system of communication that involves not just sounds but also Visual and Al Factory cues unlike humans who rely heavily on vocal communication don't dogs are Keen observers using body postures facial expressions and scent markers extensively dog communication involves barks whines growls and most importantly a variety of body postures and movements that convey their emotional states for example a dog may show happiness and excitement by wagging its tail energetically and having a relaxed posture while fear might be expressed through flattened ears a tucked tail or even a crouched body it's important to note that dogs do not communicate specific intent as clearly as humans do with spoken language their messages are often about expressing feelings like anxiety stress or contentment rather than detailed thoughts or plans understanding these signals can be incredibly beneficial for dog owners for instance yawning or nose licking in dogs can often be misinterpreted while these behaviors might seem benign to us they can indicate that a dog is feeling cautious stressed or anxious such signs are considered Ambi vent behaviors suggesting that the dog is uncertain and might react defensively if the stress escalates similarly behaviors like excessive paw licking might not just be a sign of physical discomfort such as a skin condition but could also indicate emotional distress like boredom or anxiety recognition of these body signals is a crucial tool for interpreting what might be termed dog language not all dogs are equally expressive some might be more communicative through their body language than others key signals to watch for include the positioning of the head neck ears and tail changes in facial expression and even the posture of their back for example raised hair over the shoulders or back can indicate arousal or alertness to potential threats while a lowered head and averted gaze often signal a desire to avoid confrontation known as appeasement behaviors by paying close attention to these non-verbal cues family members can better understand their furry companion iions enhancing the bond and ensuring a more harmonious coexistence just like in human interactions being attentive to body language in dogs can reveal much about their internal States and emotions allowing for more responsive and sensitive care here ends our video for today if you found this video helpful please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to our channel for more thanks for watching and we'll see you in the next one

Channel: Doggy Drifts

Views: 89,154

Keywords: dog behavior, canine apologies, pet communication, understanding dogs, animal emotions, dog science, pet owners guide, animal behavior, dogs of YouTube, emotional pets, dog body language, dog lovers, pet training, dog behaviorists, dog whisperer, animal research, pet care tips, dog training, emotional intelligence in dogs, pet-owner relationship, dog psychology, canine communication, pet behavior, dog care, dog-owner bond, canine behavior

Id: TkeC1foi0hQ

Length: 9min 25sec (565 seconds)

Published: Sat Apr 27 2024