Are Talking Dogs Real? The Truth Behind Dog Communication Methods

Can Your Dog Really Talk to You? Here’s What Science Says

Have you ever looked at your furry friend and wondered what they’re thinking? I know I have! The internet has gone crazy over videos of dogs like Bunny seemingly “talking” by pressing buttons, but is this actually real communication or just clever training? Let’s dive into the fascinating world of canine communication and separate fact from fiction.

The Phenomenon of “Talking” Dogs

You’ve probably seen those viral videos – a dog pressing buttons that say words like “outside,” “play,” or “food.” Bunny, the sheepadoodle who’s taken social media by storm, appears to communicate complex thoughts and even grasp sentence structure through her soundboard. Her videos show her expressing wants and needs that seem almost human-like.

But before we get too excited we should remember that we’ve been here before. As Jules Howard mentions in his book “Wonderdog” experiments like these date back to the 19th century when Sir John Lubbock trained his poodle to pick up signs expressing wants like “BONE” and needs like “OUT.”

The Science Behind Dog Communication Claims

Scientists have been studying these claims, and their findings might surprise you. According to research discussed in both Science Focus Magazine and Newsweek, there are several important considerations:

1. Dogs Don’t Understand Human Language

Susan Hazel and Eduardo J. Fernandez researchers in animal behavior, point out that dogs cannot actually understand human language. Instead they respond to commands through operant conditioning – a process where behaviors are initiated through association with stimuli, usually with reinforcement (like treats).

2. Button Pressing is Likely Conditioned Behavior

When dogs press talking buttons, they’re probably learning through operant conditioning. The experts explain: “When we train dogs to use talking buttons, they’re probably learning using operant conditioning to some extent. For example, they learn that pressing a button can lead to a reward.”

3. Dogs May Be Reading Our Body Language

In cases where dogs seem to string multiple buttons together or press the “right” button when asked, they’re likely just responding to their owner’s body language. The researchers note that these dogs “probably wouldn’t be able to replicate the behaviour if a new pet-sitter was making the command.”

Common Criticisms of “Talking Dog” Experiments

There are several valid criticisms of these experiments that we should consider:

• Small sample sizes: It takes a lot of time to train dogs to use soundboards, limiting the number of subjects in repeatable experiments.
• Confirmation bias: Humans might see more significance in successful button presses while ignoring the many times when button combinations make no sense.
• Social media filtering: We can’t be sure that all attempts at communication (both successful and unsuccessful) are being shared online.
• Commercial interests: The fact that dog soundboards are now marketable products raises questions about the objectivity of claims.

As Alexandra Horowitz, a canine cognition expert, puts it: “A lyre bird mimicking someone yelling ‘timber’ because they’ve heard someone yelling ‘timber’ is not themselves meaning to say ‘timber!'”

How Dogs Actually Communicate

The good news is that dogs ARE amazing communicators – they just use their own language rather than ours! Here’s how they actually talk to us:

Eye Contact

Dogs use their eyes to communicate emotions, just like humans do. Look for:

• Almond-shaped eyes with partly closed eyelids
• Slow blinks in your direction

These glances are about momentary reassurance and connection. Studies show that just 30 minutes of mutual gazing can more than double levels of oxytocin (the attachment hormone) in both dogs and humans!

Tail Wagging

A dog’s tail is “an excellent barometer of what a dog is feeling,” according to Marc Bekoff in “Canine Confidential.” Different wags mean different things:

• Slight wags: A tentative “hello there”
• Slow wags at half-mast: Momentary insecurity
• Intense, restricted jerking wags: Fight-or-flight response
• Broad wags: Friendly feelings

Interestingly, dogs wag with asymmetry that other dogs can detect – left-leaning wags are associated with negative emotions, while right-leaning wags signal positive ones.

Barks and Woofs

Even people who haven’t spent much time around dogs can understand the nuances of different vocalizations:

• Deep barks: Aggression (or Amazon delivery drivers!)
• Sharp, repetitive barks: Stress or urgency
• Short barks of mid-range pitch: Often precede a warm greeting

The Play-Bow

The “play-bow” – where a dog puts their front legs flat on the ground with rear held high – is a universal signal meaning “Let’s play!” Dogs are so naturally attuned to this pose that humans can elicit play simply by mimicking it.

According to Horowitz, the complexity of dog play behaviors suggests they might be deeper thinkers than many scientists once thought. Through play, dogs demonstrate a “rudimentary theory of mind” – they can consider not just their own thoughts but also the thoughts of others.

The Current Research Status

Federico Rossan at the University of California San Diego is conducting research to analyze how effective talking buttons really are. Data collection started in late 2020, but no evidence has been published yet.

The scientists note that until then, “the best ‘evidence’ we have for these products is anecdotal reporting coming from dog owners who are probably biased (since they’d like to think their dog is very clever).”

Common Misunderstandings About Dog Communication

We often misinterpret our dogs’ behaviors based on human emotions. For instance, if you come home to find a chewed-up rug, you might think your dog looks guilty. However, they’re more likely responding to YOUR reaction rather than actually feeling guilt themselves. Studies show that dogs can’t actually experience guilt the way humans do.

Should You Try Talking Buttons With Your Dog?

If you’re intrigued by talking buttons, there’s no harm in trying them with your dog. They won’t do you or your pet any harm. However, there are countless ways to communicate with your dog without such devices.

The scientists emphasized: “However you do it, spending time with your dog using positive reinforcement training will benefit both of you. Dogs are amazing, unique animals with whom we can communicate in all kinds of ways, and they don’t need to understand our language for this.”

My Experience With Dog Communication

I’ve tried various methods to “talk” with my golden retriever, Max. While the talking buttons were fun, I’ve found that paying attention to his body language and vocalizations has been far more rewarding. When Max wags his tail vigorously and brings me his leash, I don’t need a button to tell me he wants to go for a walk!

The truth is, our dogs are communicating with us all the time – we just need to learn their language instead of expecting them to learn ours.

The Bottom Line: Dogs Talk, Just Not With Words

So, are talking dogs real? Not in the way we might hope. Dogs cannot understand or use human language in the way humans do. The buttons and soundboards that seem to allow dogs to “talk” are actually demonstrations of clever conditioning and association, not true language comprehension.

But that doesn’t make our furry friends any less intelligent or amazing. Dogs are masters of their own rich communication system. They express themselves through body language, vocalizations, and behavior – a complex language that humans can learn to understand with a bit of observation and patience.

Instead of trying to teach our dogs to speak human, perhaps we should focus more on learning to speak dog. After all, they’ve been studying us for thousands of years – it’s only fair we return the favor!

How to Better Understand Your Dog

If you want to improve communication with your dog, try these tips:

• Watch their body language closely
• Pay attention to different types of barks and vocalizations
• Notice changes in behavior that might indicate needs or discomfort
• Spend quality time together to strengthen your bond
• Use positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors

Remember, the goal isn’t to have your dog speak English – it’s to build a relationship where you both understand each other’s needs and feelings, even without words.

Dogs may not be able to talk like humans, but they certainly have plenty to say. We just need to learn how to listen.