Have you ever asked your dog to do something only to receive a perplexed head-tilt? …or worse yet, a sideways glance that appears defiant based on what you actually requested?
What is it that our canine companions truly understand?
A study published last year in Current Biology provided the first neural evidence that dogs understand object words in a way similar to humans. In human language, we use words to refer to objects, forming mental representations of them. For example, when you hear “stop sign” you are likely to picture a red octagon with white letters. Scientists wanted to see if dogs process words in a similar way.
To test this, researchers measured dogs’ brain activity using electrodes while presenting them with object words and images. Sometimes the word and image matched (e.g., saying “ball” while showing a ball), and sometimes they didn’t (e.g., saying “stick” while showing a frisbee). In human studies, when people hear a word that doesn’t match an expected image, their brains produce a specific electrical reaction called the N400 effect, a well-known marker of word comprehension. The dogs in this study showed a similar brain response to mismatched words, suggesting they also form mental expectations about object words.
Interestingly, the dogs’ brains reacted more strongly when the words were ones they knew well. This further supports the idea that dogs don’t just react to sounds, but actually associate words with specific objects. Even dogs with smaller vocabularies in the study showed this effect, demonstrating that referential word understanding appears to be common in dogs.
Why the confusion?
So, when we ask our dog to “go to bed”, why don’t they immediately go to their bed and lay down? Instead, they might tilt their head, stare at us, or hesitate. Are they being stubborn? Probably not. It’s more likely that their mental image of “bed” doesn’t match ours.
Mindful Reflection – What image comes to mind when you read the word “bed”?
You likely imagined a sleeping space. But was it a four-poster bed, a water bed, a bunk bed, or some other type of bed? It was probably different for many readers. That’s because “bed” is actually a category of objects rather than a single specific object. If you call both your own bed and your dog’s bed by the same word, and then ask your dog to “go to bed”, your dog might simply not be sure which one you mean.
In addition to using this type of categorical word, we might inadvertently be confusing our canine companions with the specific words we choose. As a child, I recall the joy of reading Dr. Seuss books. Part of why they, along with many children’s books, are enjoyable is because of their reliance on rhyming words.
A study led by animal behavior researcher Lilla Magyari at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary, examined electrical activity in a dog’s brain and found that dogs did not differentiate between a word and a similar-sounding nonsense word, but could differentiate between that and a non-similar nonsense word. If dogs have a hard time telling words apart when they rhyme, then our choice of what we call objects they interact with, and perhaps more importantly, the action-oriented commands we use, should sound as unique as possible.
Mindful Reflection – Reflect on your dog’s response to the commands you use. Are there any that do not regularly bring about the action you desire? If so, does the command sound similar to another word you use with your dog?
Some rhyming words may not cause confusion, or even if they do, the impact might be minimal. For example, If you were to say the word “fit,” and your dog performed “sit,” that likely is not a big deal. However, if you said “stay,” and your dog responded to hearing “play,” that might be another story entirely.
So how do we help our dogs understand us?
The good news is that we can improve our communication with dogs by making a few small changes:
1. Be Consistent with Words
Dogs rely on patterns and repetition. If you sometimes say “bed” but other times say “go lay down” or “go to your spot,” your dog may struggle to understand what you mean. Pick one word and use it consistently. This is especially important in households with multiple people. Creating a list of words for objects and commands can help everyone stay consistent.
2. Use Distinct Words for Clarity
To avoid confusion, choose a unique word for your dog’s bed, such as “place,” “mat,” “nest,” or “spot.” This makes it easier for them to associate the word with a specific object. Try to avoid words that rhyme with or sound similar to other commands.
3. Pair Words with Visual and Contextual Cues
Dogs learn best when words are paired with actions and visual cues. Gesturing toward their bed or walking over to it while saying “place” helps reinforce the meaning. To avoid confusion, use the same signals consistently.
4. Train with Positive Reinforcement
If your dog tilts their head or hesitates, remember they aren’t being defiant, they’re thinking! Be patient as they try to figure out what you’re asking. Rather than repeating the word over and over, give them a chance to problem-solve. When they perform the correct action, promptly mark and reward the response.
5. Pay Attention to Your Tone
Dogs are highly attuned to vocal tone. A harsh or uncertain tone might make them hesitant, while a cheerful and confident voice can encourage them.
Our dogs rely on us to communicate as clearly as possible. The next time your dog hesitates before responding, consider it an opportunity to fine-tune your canine communication. At the end of the day, speaking “dog” isn’t just about the words we say, but about the consistency, clarity and intention behind them.
Want to strengthen your communication with your dog?
Schedule a complimentary 20-minute coaching session at sue.murphy@wavelengthwellbeing.com and let’s work on building a stronger bond with your pup!
