Dogs Really Do Understand The Words in Those Viral Videos, Study Confirms

Sciencealert ^ | 30 August 2024 | JESS COCKERILL

[ChicagoConservative27]

If you've been on Instagram or TikTok recently, you've likely come across those viral videos of dogs hitting soundboard buttons while their proud owners feign exasperation at their furry friend's seemingly eloquent demands.

Who wouldn't want to give their beloved pet the opportunity to talk back in a way we can understand?

Skeptics such as this biologist have unsurprisingly raised their eyebrows at this fad, which has owners claiming their dogs can use the soundboards to form near-sentences asking for food, requesting help, raising alerts, and even questioning their mirror reflection.

[Rockingham]

Dogs are great. Cesar Millan, a/k/a “The Dog Whisperer” is quite good in handling dogs and I have used his techniques effectively several times. Friends of mine are astonished that when I visit, their rambunctious spaniels obey when I order them to settle down. I will have to keep that beer trick in mind.

[ridesthemiles]

Have watched a Magpie for long stretches attack himself in the large mirror on my 1976 1 ton truck. Sat on the frame & pecked & pecked. Aggressively.

[ridesthemiles]

Cattle & sheep dogs have a whole different set of words they learn.

[RoosterRedux]

This magpie obviously wants a cosmetic makeover. Perhaps a tux and top hat would do the trick.;-)

[RoosterRedux]

Cats hear exactly what you are saying. They understand every word.

But, for the most part, they just don't give a damn.

[dfwgator]

Cats have staff.

[RoosterRedux]

Cats have staff.

You're not kidding. I am a butler and a cook on that staff.

I'm on litter box duty too but that goes without saying.

[Scrambler Bob]

I had to spell out C ... A ... T

[Scrambler Bob]

I had to spell out C ... A ... T

[Candor7]

Yep, they have trigger words real easily.

My old pooch had “rutabaga.”