Humor writer Dave Barry once wrote, “You can say any fool thing to a dog, and the dog will just give you this look that says, My GOSH, youre RIGHT! I NEVER wouldve thought of that!” Most dog owners will admit that they talk freely to their dogs, and their dogs always seem to appreciate their thoughts. But even the most intelligent dogs in the world dont really understand everything their humans say.
Even if your dog never fully grasps most of what you tell them, most dogs can learn quite a few verbal commands. Experts have studied dogs to know whether they grasp the meaning of words or if they respond to the tone of voice and context clues. Learn more about how much your dog can understand.
Some experts in dog behavior estimate that the average dog has intelligence similar to that of a human toddler. Like a 2-year-old child, dogs can understand between 100 and 200 words. They recognize the words in verbal commands as well as commands that are given with physical gestures.â
Dogs are capable of problem-solving. Dogs can figure out the best path to get to a favorite toy or treat. They can learn to push buttons or operate latches to get into a space thatâs blocked off. Some dogs can learn to count and do simple arithmetic.
Every dog owner knows that certain words will send their dog into a frenzy of excitement. Say the phrase ” lets go for a walk,” and your dog might run for the door expecting a quick trip around the block. Some dogs seem so attuned to certain words like “walk” that their owners have to spell them instead of saying them aloud.â
Experts find that dogs recognize important words. In some cases, the dog responds to the word itself. In other cases, dogs recognize the tone of voice and body language humans use as well as the words. A dog who ignores the word “walk” if you say it into the phone will get excited if you say it while also getting their leash.â
Dogs might not have a perfect understanding of command words, but they understand the basic sound of important words. In one study, researchers found that dogs respond the same way to nonsense words that sound like familiar command words. For example, a dog might still sit if you give them the command but say “sid” or “git”.â
Researchers also found that dogs dont respond to nonsense words that dont sound like command words. The tone of voice humans used didnt change that. Even if you use your normal tone and body language, your dog wont sit if you say a word like “fluff” or “book” in place of the word sit.
Have you ever found yourself having a full-blown conversation with your furry friend, only to wonder if they actually understand a word you’re saying? You’re definitely not alone! As a dog owner myself, I’ve spent countless hours chatting away to my pup about everything from my day at work to what we’re having for dinner. But the big question remains do dogs understand when you talk to them?
Let’s dig into what science tells us about our four-legged friends’ language comprehension abilities and how much of our daily chatter they’re actually picking up on.
The Science Behind Canine Comprehension
Dogs aren’t just pretending to understand us to score treats (though that might be part of it!) Research suggests they actually process language in ways similar to humans,
How Dogs Process Language
Scientists have used MRI technology to peek inside dogs’ brains while talking to them, and what they found is fascinating. Dogs process language using both sides of their brain, similar to humans:
- Left brain hemisphere: Processes the actual meaning of words
- Right brain hemisphere: Interprets tone and intonation
This means dogs are analyzing both what you say and how you say it. Pretty impressive for an animal that can’t talk back!
Vocabulary Size of the Average Dog
Most dogs can learn to understand anywhere from 165 to 250 words, though exceptionally smart breeds like Border Collies might learn even more. A famous Border Collie named Rico made headlines when he demonstrated knowledge of over 200 different items and could learn new words after hearing them just once.
What Your Dog Actually Understands
When you’re chatting with your pooch, they’re picking up on several different aspects of communication:
1. Specific Words and Commands
Dogs definitely recognize specific words, especially ones associated with positive experiences or routine activities:
- Commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come”
- Activity words like “walk,” “play,” and “food”
- Names of family members and other pets
- Names of favorite toys or objects
2. Tone of Voice
Your dog is extremely sensitive to the tone you use. They can tell the difference between:
- Happy, excited tones
- Angry or frustrated tones
- Calm, soothing tones
- Sad or upset tones
In fact, sometimes tone matters more than the actual words! If you say “bad dog” in a happy, praising voice, many dogs will wag their tails and get excited despite the negative words.
3. Body Language
Dogs are masters at reading non-verbal cues. They observe:
- Facial expressions
- Posture and body movements
- Hand gestures
- Eye contact
When you combine words with consistent body language, your dog has a much better chance of understanding your message.
The MRI Studies: What Science Reveals
Some of the most fascinating research on dog language comprehension comes from studies where dogs were trained to lie still in MRI machines while researchers monitored their brain activity.
In one particularly interesting study, researchers found that when they said “good boy” in a praising tone, both sides of the dog’s brain activated. When they said the same words in a neutral tone, only the left side activated. And when they used nonsense words in a praising tone, only the right side lit up.
This suggests that dogs really do understand both our words AND our tone, and they integrate this information for maximum comprehension.
Even more interesting is that the reward center of a dog’s brain (the part that responds to pleasurable things like treats, pets, and play) only fully activated when dogs heard words they understood in a tone they liked. So basically, your dog gets the most enjoyment when you speak to them in words they know with a positive tone.
Why Dogs Seem to Eavesdrop on Our Conversations
Ever notice your dog perking up their ears when you’re talking to someone else, especially if you mention words like “walk” or “treat”? That’s because dogs are constantly monitoring our communications, even when we’re not directly speaking to them.
Dogs have co-evolved with humans for thousands of years, and part of their survival strategy has been learning to interpret human communication. They’re essentially eavesdropping on us all the time, filtering through our chatter for words and tones that might be relevant to them.
So when you’re discussing dinner plans with your spouse and mention “chicken,” don’t be surprised if your dog suddenly appears in the kitchen!
How Different Dogs Process Language
Not all dogs process language the same way. Several factors influence how well your particular pooch might understand you:
Breed Differences
Some breeds are generally considered more trainable and responsive to verbal commands:
- Border Collies
- Poodles
- German Shepherds
- Labrador Retrievers
These breeds often excel at learning words and commands compared to some other breeds.
Individual Differences
Just like people, individual dogs have different intelligence levels and learning styles. Some dogs might learn new words quickly, while others rely more on tone and body language.
Age and Training
Puppies generally understand fewer words than adult dogs who have had years of exposure to human language. Similarly, dogs who have received consistent training typically understand more human communication than untrained dogs.
How to Improve Your Dog’s Understanding
Want to boost your dog’s comprehension skills? Here are some effective techniques:
Be Consistent with Words
Use the same words consistently for the same actions or objects. If you use “potty” one day and “outside” the next, your dog will have a harder time understanding what you want.
Pair Words with Actions
When teaching new words, pair them with clear actions or visual cues. For example, say “ball” while showing or throwing a ball.
Use Simple, Distinct Words
Dogs respond better to words that sound different from each other. Short, punchy words with distinct sounds are easier for them to differentiate.
Reward Understanding
When your dog correctly responds to a word or command, reinforce it with praise, pets, or treats. This strengthens the neural pathways associated with that word.
Talk to Your Dog Regularly
The more you speak to your dog, the more opportunities they have to learn language patterns. Regular conversation helps improve their overall comprehension.
The Baby Talk Question: Should You Use “Dog-Speak”?
Many of us instinctively use a higher-pitched, sing-song voice when talking to our dogs—often called “dog-speak” or “pet-directed speech.” But is this helpful or just silly?
Research suggests that dogs actually DO respond positively to this type of speech! Studies have found that dogs prefer and pay more attention to people using “dog-speak” compared to normal adult speech.
The exaggerated tones help emphasize important words and keep your dog’s attention. Plus, it often includes the positive emotional tone that dogs respond to. So go ahead and use that baby talk—your dog probably likes it!
When Your Dog Doesn’t Understand
Despite their impressive abilities, dogs definitely don’t understand everything we say. Here are some common misunderstandings:
Complex Sentences
Your dog likely doesn’t follow your detailed explanation of why you’re late coming home from work. They pick out familiar words but miss the overall narrative.
Abstract Concepts
Dogs don’t grasp abstract ideas like “tomorrow” or “remember when.” They live much more in the present moment.
Reasoning and Excuses
When you try to explain why they can’t have another treat or why the vet visit is necessary, those logical arguments are lost on them.
Reading Your Dog’s Responses
How can you tell if your dog understands what you’re saying? Look for these signs:
Understanding Indicators
- Head tilting
- Ear perking
- Focused attention
- Appropriate action (running to the door when you say “walk”)
- Consistent response to specific words
Confusion Indicators
- Blank stare
- Looking away
- No response
- Inconsistent reactions to the same words
Final Thoughts: The Connection Beyond Words
While it’s fascinating to explore how much dogs understand of our verbal language, it’s important to remember that the bond between humans and dogs goes far beyond words. Dogs are incredibly attuned to our emotions, intentions, and energy—often understanding our feelings better than our words.
The next time you chat with your furry friend, remember they’re picking up on so much more than just your vocabulary. They’re reading your tone, your body language, your facial expressions, and even subtle changes in your scent that indicate your emotional state.
So keep those conversations going! Your dog might not understand every word, but they definitely understand that you’re connecting with them—and at the end of the day, that connection is what matters most.
Do you talk to your dog regularly? Have you noticed certain words or phrases they seem to understand best? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments!
What Does This Mean for Dog Owners?
Your dog will probably never learn enough vocabulary words to ace the SATs. But dogs can learn enough to have a meaningful connection with their owners. Dogs listen to humans and easily learn to recognize words, gestures, and tone.â
If you want your dog to be attentive and obedient, you can take advantage of their verbal abilities. Use a few basic training strategies to teach them how to obey.
Choose your words. Plan ahead when training a dog to respond to words. Pick words that you can use only for commands. Avoid words that you often say in conversation with people. That way, your dog knows those words only have one meaning.â
Be consistent. Use the same words the same way every time. Pair command words with the same gesture and tone of voice. Always reward your dog for following the command. This way, they will associate the word with the action and with a treat or praise.â
Keep it simple. Remember that your dogs vocabulary is limited. Stick to commands that are only one or two words.â
Positive reinforcement. The best way to reinforce training is with positive rewards. Dogs want to please people. You can take advantage of that by using praise, treats, and favorite toys to reward good behavior. Your dog associates command words with the special attention they get after following the command.â
Short and sweet. Dont overwhelm your dog with too many commands at once. Do multiple short training sessions. Work on one verbal command at a time. Once your dog has mastered one skill, move on to the next one.
More on Dog Health
Dogs actually understand what you’re saying, study shows
FAQ
Do dogs like when you talk to them?
What do dogs hear when we talk to them?
Does my dog understand when I talk to them?
Yes, dogs understand human language to a degree similar to how humans do, processing both the words and the emotional tone of speech separately and integrating them to grasp meaning. Brain scans show that dogs process words in the left hemisphere and pitch in the right, with the reward centers activating when both words and intonation are positive. Dogs can learn a vocabulary of hundreds of words, but their communication also relies heavily on body language, facial expressions, and context.
How long does 1 hour feel to a dog?