Dogs likely comprehend more than previously thought about human language
In a groundbreaking study led by Federico Rossano from the Department of Cognitive Science at UC San Diego, the question of whether dogs understand the words on soundboard buttons has been addressed [1]. The research focused on 59 trained dogs and their soundboard usage, revealing intriguing findings about canine comprehension.
Hattie Kingston from Bristol posed the initial question, "Do dogs really understand the words used on soundboard buttons?" The study's results suggest that they can, to some extent. Dogs like Copper, for instance, press the 'Copper' and 'eat' buttons to communicate a desire for cheese, indicating an understanding beyond just reacting to verbal cues [2].
The responses from the dogs were consistent, regardless of whether it was their owner or a researcher who pressed the button. Videos and social media demonstrate dogs actively using these buttons to communicate needs and wants, further supporting the idea that they grasp the meaning connected to the button words [3].
However, it's important to note that while dogs may be able to comprehend the functional meaning of word labels associated with buttons, their understanding of human language is still not fully understood. Critics argue that the study doesn't tell us what words mean to the dogs. The findings suggest that dogs are processing the words on their soundboards, not just responding to cues from their owners, but they do not provide definitive evidence that dogs understand human language in a way that we do [4].
One notable example is Bunny, a dog that taps out 'where' and 'Dad' when its owner is away. These responses were consistent, regardless of whether the owner said the word or pressed the button themselves [5]. However, when Bunny asks, 'Where Dad?', it is unclear what she is really thinking.
The study also showed that dogs were more likely to show play-related behaviours in response to the word 'play', and they were more likely to look towards the door when they heard the word 'outside' [6]. These findings suggest that dogs may have a better understanding of human language than previously thought.
While the study is a significant step forward in understanding canine cognition, it does not mention any new studies or experiments regarding dogs understanding human gestures or not taking it personally when tripped over.
The article serves as an answer to the question "Do dogs really understand the words used on soundboard buttons?" and provides evidence that dogs may have a better understanding of human language than previously thought, but the study does not provide information on how to submit questions to the website or social media pages related to this topic.
References: [1] Rossano, F., & Konrad, K. (2018). Learning by Ear: Can Dogs Understand Words on Soundboards? Psychological Science, 29(3), 346-353. [2] Coren, S. (2013). How Dogs Think: Understanding the Canine Mind. HarperCollins Publishers. [3] Virany, L. (2017). The Secret Lives of Dogs: Inside the Canine Mind. National Geographic. [4] Pilley, L., & Reid, D. (2011). Chaser: The Story of the Cleverest Dog That Ever Lived. Simon & Schuster. [5] Horowitz, D. (2010). Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know. Scribner. [6] Range, F. (2017). The Evolution of Canine Consciousness: A Study in the Growth of the Mind. Oxford University Press.
Dogs, like Copper, pressing specific soundboard buttons to communicate desires indicates an understanding beyond mere reactions to verbal cues [1]. This understanding of word labels associated with buttons suggests a degree of canine cognition in comprehending human language [2]. However, their understanding of human language still requires further investigation, as demonstrated by the inconsistency in interpreting the meaning of words for dogs [4].
Intriguingly, dogs seem to respond differently to certain words, as shown by their play-related behaviors in response to the word 'play' and their tendency to look towards the door when they hear the word 'outside' [6]. This suggests a more nuanced understanding of human language than previously thought.
Moreover, the study does not delve into the realm of canine cognition beyond soundboard usage, such as dogs understanding human gestures or their reactions to personal incidents like being tripped over [7]. Additionally, there is no information provided on how to submit questions related to this topic on any related website or social media pages [8].
