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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: 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: 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: 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: 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: JimSEA

It will soon be no go zones for dogs due to muzzie sensibilities.


24 posted on 08/30/2016 5:41:27 PM PDT by Awgie (Truth is always stranger than fiction.)
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To: JimSEA

the question has never been whether dogs and cats understand humans or not. they do. in spades.

the question is whether humans can learn to understand dogs and cats (or whether they’re just too damned dumb to learn how to communicate with such higher-level life forms?)


27 posted on 08/30/2016 5:44:53 PM PDT by faithhopecharity ("Politicians are not born. They're excreted." Marcus Tullius Cicero.)
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To: JimSEA

So do cats. They just don’t care what you think.


28 posted on 08/30/2016 5:45:35 PM PDT by soycd
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To: JimSEA

I used to think I was hearing voices, but then I realized it was just the dog talking.


29 posted on 08/30/2016 5:46:36 PM PDT by fruser1
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To: JimSEA

My two are not the brightest but they certainly understand both phrases and intonation.

For example, if I ask, “What do you want?”, they stop what they are doing, look at ‘dad’ and raise their ears in rapt attention. If I ask, “Do you want to go out?”, they immediately start barking and explode toward the door.

The younger dog does not especially like the outdoors and is soon scratching at the door to get in. I let her in then ask her mother, now lying down by the door, if she wants in. I get such a sad, disappointed look from her, so I close the door. About 30 seconds later, I hear her excited bark, begging to come in. They have me well trained!


30 posted on 08/30/2016 5:48:09 PM PDT by A Formerly Proud Canadian (I once was blind but now I see...)
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To: JimSEA


32 posted on 08/30/2016 5:50:51 PM PDT by JoeProBono (SOME IMAGES MAY BE DISTURBING VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED;-{)
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To: JimSEA

My neighbor and I will do some porch sittin’ in the evenings. His dog will look up the street 3-5 minutes before his wife pulls up. He can hear her car from miles away. I wish The Good Lord had given them longer lifespans.
They sense our moods without any verbal cues.


34 posted on 08/30/2016 5:52:31 PM PDT by outofsalt ( If history teaches us anything it's that history rarely teaches us anything)
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To: JimSEA

My Briard was stunner! But not as fas this!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDf9lpbmaZ8&feature=youtu.be


36 posted on 08/30/2016 5:55:32 PM PDT by Dr. Bogus Pachysandra (Don't touch that thing Don't let anybody touch that thing!I'm a Doctor and I won't touch that thing!)
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To: JimSEA; FReepers; Patriots; FRiends

Of course, my current French Bulldog mix seems the smartest.


LOL. Must be the "mix" in your smart dog!
My Louie is plenty smart, but terribly stubborn, willfull and frolicsome.
He deserves an owner much younger than me!




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37 posted on 08/30/2016 6:00:27 PM PDT by onyx (YOU'RE POSTING HERE, SO DONATE MONTHLY! NOT NICE TO FREEPLOAD!)
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