Pet owners have often wondered how well their furry pals understand human language, a phenomenon known as “dognition.”
According to Inside Your Dog’s Mind, scientific investigations led by Dr Brian Hare, an evolutionary anthropologist at Duke University, challenge skeptics, proving that dogs have an extraordinary ability to understand the complexities of human communication.
Chaser, a notable canine, became a symbol of dognition after learning the names of over 1,000 things, demonstrating exceptional linguistic abilities. Dr. Hare emphasizes that dogs understand more than is often assumed, saying, “Dogs understand more than we give them credit for.”
Across the Atlantic, Dr Alex Benjamin and Dr Katie Slocombe from the University of York investigated the effect of human speech on canine responses.
Their study, which included 37 adult canines, found a preference for “dog speak” – a combination of dog-related information and an energetic, passionate voice. The study emphasizes the relevance of tone, evoking the idea of “baby talk” in human-infant attachment.
Dognition goes beyond language comprehension and includes body language interpretation. Whether working or not, dogs have an amazing capacity to read human movements and interpret them as cooperative communication, as highlighted by Dr. Hare.
The increasing study in this field sheds light on the intricate ways that dogs interact with and understand their human companions.
