We know that, adorably, dogs actually love baby talk. And now, a new study suggests that they might be able to pick out words, even when we’re not talking directly to them in a sing-songy way.
So let’s say you’re speaking to your roommate: “Hey, make sure to pick up a pizza on the way home. I’d do it, but I have to walk Fido before we go to the vet.” Chances are, even though Fido isn’t being directly engaged, he recognizes keywords. Home. Fido. Walk. Vet. Maybe if Fido is sophisticated, he knows the word pizza. (And if Fido is super sophisticated, he knows the words Meat Lovers with extra cheese.)
A dog spots a slice of pizza.
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Theresearch,publishedinthejournalAnimalCognition,foundthatdogsindeedcansometimestranslateourlanguage.Totestthisout,“Dogswereplayedrecordingsoftheirownersreadingameaninglesstextwhichincludedashortmeaningfulormeaninglessphrase,eitherreadwithunchangedreadingprosodyorwithanexaggeratedDDSprosody.”Inlayman’sterms,differentlevelsofenthusiasmandintonationswereusedbyownerswhenreadingtotheirdogs.
Manyhavejoke
