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shiloh Bear

dogs and cats understanding what we say

do dogs and cats understand what we say to them?


Asked by shiloh Bear on Aug 21st 2009 in Commands
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Sassy

I think our words are gibberish unless we teach them. I think they understand our body language to perfection as well as all sorts of daily routines. As in shoes on and certain words said in a certain tone mean goodby, off on errands and shoes on with words in a different tone mean walkies! That is why when we feel guilty about getting in the car to go to the vet they are wary but fine if it is a trip to the park.

I also think the more they are talked to the more they understand. Recently I read about teaching birds language. If done the rote behaviorist way the birds don't get it but taught as we teach children to speak they got it and could make up phrases that really communicated. So talking baby talk to your pet may not be as stupid as some people think.


Sassy answered on 8/21/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Aster

I spend too much time on line to keep up on my reading. I just finished an article in the March 2008 National Geographic. It claimed there is a Border Collie that understands 340 words.

Dog guides learn many commands and their partners teach them even more. My wife heard a lady in a fitting room tell her dog guide ''Find large stall.''


Aster answered on 8/21/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Auda abu Tayi

Want to go out, no, good dog, feed store? We know and respond to a number of words even when they are not accompanied by a gesture or action. If our person is sitting on the couch and says, "Want to go out" we all jump up and go stand by the door even if she hasn't moved yet. Of course, we also respond to her putting on her shoes and other signs as well. We also know to look where she is pointing especially if we are playing or a treat bounced off a nose.


Auda abu Tayi answered on 8/21/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Valentine

Not the spoken language of humans per se, but certainly some of the sounds, the tone and inflection, and of course, body language. Not only do they understand a lot more than we think they do, I think sometimes they understand what we're saying more than we who are saying it.
So, simply put, yes.


Valentine answered on 9/21/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


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