There was a Gary Larson cartoon I like which went:
What you say: “Good dog, Corkey”. YOu love to play with that ball don’t you Corkey. Does Corkey like his ball, yes you do. You’re such a good dog. Aren’t you Corkey. Corkey, you want a treat?”
What he hears: “blah, blah, blah Corkey. Blah blah Corkey. Blah, blah Corkey.”
Amelia the Wonder Dachshund understands:
Good girl, lay down, come, want some water (goes to water bowl)? hungry (goes to the kitchen where the food is stored)? go outside (goes to the door - also, if I bring out her walking harness and leash, she goes to the door)NO! (goes under the bed) get in your bed, and several others.
I have never spanked her - only verbally scolded her when she’s peed on the floor (twice in 2 years)
I have to clean her ears and teeth frequently, and when she hears (from the other room) the tell tale crumpling of the package with the cleaning fluid, toothbrush, toothpaste, and cotton balls, she hides under the bed. She hates that.
If I had to take a wild guess, I’d say she has the intelligence of a 2 or 3 year old human.
If I pat some location with my hand and look at her, she goes where I pat. She learned how to use an indoor pee pad with absolutely zero training. I have never trained this dog one day on anything. She just learns on her own.