"Is It Possible For A Dog To Understand What People Are Saying?" Sparks A Heated Debate Online
Dogs can learn a surprising amount from the people around them, and that is exactly why this question keeps getting attention. From simple commands to the tone of a voice, many pet owners swear their dogs pick up more than just words.
In this Quora discussion, people weighed in on whether dogs understand human speech when it is not directed at them. The answers range from playful stories about clever pets to claims that certain dogs seem to know far more than they were ever taught.
The comments got lively fast, and a few of them make a strong case for just how tuned in dogs can be.
Here is the question which was thrown to the Quora community
1. Meet Wookie
A lot of people were quick to share their own dog stories after the question came up.
2. A definite yes from this commenter
This commenter clearly thinks dogs are paying closer attention than we realize.
3. A positive answer
Yes. Some words my dog definitely understands; others I think are a matter of him intuiting tone or body language rather than the words themselves. In general, it’s very easy to communicate with him, and he trusts that we’ll understand him when he tries to communicate something. It makes it really easy to live with him.
4. Mastering the language
5. It is truly amazing
Some of these replies make the case that dogs are reading more than just commands.
6. They understand the tone of the voice
With my dog, it was simple. He understood “let’s go for a walk,” “you’re staying home,” and “food?”
The first sentence would get him so excited. Obviously. He’d run around, back and forth, looking at me, probably letting me know he was going for a walk. Unless it was me going for a walk with him, then he would tell grandpa, and when he passed away, he didn’t really have anyone to let know about the exciting news since it was just the two of us at home at that time.
The second one wasn’t obviously as exciting to him. When my mum worked 4 AM to 4 PM shifts (or something like that; she went to work at night basically), our dog would run after her all excited, thinking he was going for a walk. Then my mum would break him the news: “No, you’re staying home right now and going for a walk with Berit,” and then he’d walk back to his napping spot.
For the third sentence, I’d just ask him if he was hungry and wanted food. For example, whenever he was acting as if he needed something, and it was mum and I together at home, he’d stare at me whenever he was a bit hungry.
Mentioning food to him got him excited, and then off we went to fill his bowl. He’d eat, and I’d go back to my business, and then he’d later come to my room, wag his tail, and leave again. Probably to let me know he enjoyed the meal.
The thing is, ever since my grandpa passed away, our dog came to me for food and always went to mum for walks. When grandpa was still alive, he’d lick his face whenever he wanted something. No matter what: food, walks (when my mum didn’t get the “I need a walk” look).
He was an adorable dog. I miss him. My best friend for 11 years. (I hope he’s not too mad at me for getting a cat after his death.) But this was him.
7. A doggo explanation
8. Associating words with certain meaning
That is where the debate starts to get even more interesting.
Bosun is the best
That dog is smart
Bosun knows things he was never trained for
One dog in particular seems to have left a big impression on the commenters.
Jack
Special bond
He has a favorite word
Jack is resting:
9. Depends on the breed and individual
10. What I observed and learned
They recognize only certain words
Many words can be taught to these furry ones. When we speak to them in the right tone, they can understand the meaning even better.
We can communicate with our pets and enjoy the fact that they "get" us. So over to you: do you feel that your dog can understand everything you say?
Share your thoughts with us by leaving a comment below.
Wait till you see the boyfriend who demanded his girlfriend speak English to her dog.
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