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Dogs understand both vocabulary and intonation of human speech
Science Daily ^ | 8/29/2016 | American Association for the Advancement of Science

Posted on 08/30/2016 5:17:09 PM PDT by JimSEA

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"Thus, dogs seem to understand both human words and intonation. The authors note that it is possible that selective forces during domestication could have supported the emergence of the brain structure underlying this capability in dogs, but, such rapid evolution of speech-related hemispheric asymmetries is unlikely."

Most of us pet lovers will agree heartily with the study's conclusions. I've had dogs living with me for my entire life except when I was in the service. Some were smarter than others but all responded and minded me speaking to them in a calm conversational voice. They understand the meaning of a large number of words. Of course, my current French Bulldog mix seems the smartest.

1 posted on 08/30/2016 5:17:09 PM PDT by JimSEA
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To: JimSEA; Joe 6-pack

I had to spell in front of one of my Golden Retrievers. When she became deaf in her later years, she taught herself sign language. We didn’t even realize that she was deaf. One of my neighbors pointed it out to me.


2 posted on 08/30/2016 5:20:11 PM PDT by afraidfortherepublic ( “Some ideas are so stupid that only intellectuals believe them.”)
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To: JimSEA

Dogs prefer belly rubs over treats
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3464120/posts


3 posted on 08/30/2016 5:21:27 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (You cannot invade the mainland US. There'd be a rifle behind every blade of grass.)
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To: JimSEA
Vocabulary? Nonsense. I can call our dogs the meanest names in the book and if I do it with a soft, teasing tone, they'll sit there like idiots wagging their tails and drooling on themselves. And I can flatter them to the ends of the earth, but if I do it in a harsh tone, they'll slink away and hide under the rug.

They understand intonation, but words? Huh uh.

4 posted on 08/30/2016 5:22:12 PM PDT by IronJack
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To: afraidfortherepublic

My red Heeler was stone deaf at about 11 years. No matter though because she knew my routines and her duties brilliantly. She was also a lip reader.


5 posted on 08/30/2016 5:24:18 PM PDT by blackdog (There is no such thing as healing, only a balance between destructive and constructive forces.)
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To: IronJack

Um... when I say the word “bath’ to my dog... she sometimes hides under the table. LOL


6 posted on 08/30/2016 5:24:24 PM PDT by Nachum (ISIS is alive... and Chris Stevens is dead)
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To: JimSEA

I was talking to a French Poodle, but he didn’t understand American.

So I says, “Oui! Oui!” and he peed on the couch.


7 posted on 08/30/2016 5:25:51 PM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
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To: JimSEA
I have but one word to affirm this thread

RUFUS
8 posted on 08/30/2016 5:26:09 PM PDT by BigEdLB (Take it Easy, Chuck. I'm Not Taking it Back -- Donald Trump)
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To: afraidfortherepublic
My Irish Setter will get funky ears once in awhile. I don't care what words you say around it or the tone or inflection in your voice. No matter how you try to fool her, when she hears the word medicine, she puts her head down and heads for the back of her cage.

If you talk about her ears bothering her, she again leaves. BUT when you ask her other things about her ears, like if she wants them rubbed, she comes near.

9 posted on 08/30/2016 5:28:37 PM PDT by mountn man (The Pleasure You Get From Life, Is Equal To The Attitude You Put Into It)
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To: JimSEA

Our late dog, awake or asleep, would jump up and run to the door when she heard me say “grass?”.


10 posted on 08/30/2016 5:28:50 PM PDT by Gamecock (There is always one more idiot than you counted on.)
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To: JimSEA


11 posted on 08/30/2016 5:29:19 PM PDT by Donglalinger
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To: JimSEA

All dogs need is opposable paws.

I had some dogs a while back. I had a Lab-Golden mix who was a fetching genius, but I’m pretty sure he could distinguish about 3 dozen words, and of course he was sensitive to intonations. I used to try to experiment with toneless pronunciations of things like “walk” “outside” “cheese” and so forth. He knew.

Many people claim much wider vocabs for their dogs. I estimated that in a non-verbal way, he was about as smart as a toddler, obviously without the developmental potential.


12 posted on 08/30/2016 5:29:28 PM PDT by Pearls Before Swine
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To: JimSEA

Well, i guess they know the answer to “who’s a good boy?” now don’t they? They always played along, I think, for entertainment value.


13 posted on 08/30/2016 5:29:41 PM PDT by IllumiNaughtyByNature (HTTP 500 - Internal Server Error)
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To: IronJack

BS, I can talk to my dog in regular tone i.e. commands, she understands all of them. She can also here me put on my socks and shoes from the other end of the house. She understands when I say she has to stay home and watch the house in a normal conversational tone of voice, she gets a sad face but she understands,


14 posted on 08/30/2016 5:31:29 PM PDT by eastforker (The only time you can be satisfied is when your all Trump.)
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To: BigEdLB

Good looking dog.


15 posted on 08/30/2016 5:32:16 PM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
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To: JimSEA

My dogs know exactly what the word “chicken” means.


16 posted on 08/30/2016 5:33:31 PM PDT by Scott from the Left Coast
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To: AnAmericanMother; Titan Magroyne; Badeye; SandRat; arbooz; potlatch; afraidfortherepublic; ...
WOOOF!

Computer Hope

The Doggie Ping list is for FReepers who would like to be notified of threads relating to all things canid. If you would like to join the Doggie Ping Pack (or be unleashed from it), FReemail me.

17 posted on 08/30/2016 5:34:06 PM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Qui me amat, amat et canem meum.)
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To: JimSEA

Dogs don’t understand words or language. As fellow mammals, they share enough of our life experience that they can easily tune in to our feelings and wishes.


18 posted on 08/30/2016 5:35:00 PM PDT by I want the USA back (The media is acting full-on as the Democratic Party's press agency now: Robert Spencer)
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To: All

All dogs are smarter than liberals...


19 posted on 08/30/2016 5:35:11 PM PDT by JBW1949 (I'm really PC....PATRIOTICALLY CORRECT!!!!)
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To: Donglalinger

Water breeds like Labs and Goldens usually love a bath. Most hounds hate it. I took in a Walker Hound and she will do a spread eagle with all her might, to keep from going into the bathtub. She acts miserable the entire time she’s in there, but the minute she’s toweled off and out, she’s frisky and happy as a clam.


20 posted on 08/30/2016 5:35:24 PM PDT by RegulatorCountry
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