Dog communication: Do dogs understand what we say?

Dogs understand both the words we say and how we say them, making their brains surprisingly similar to ours. Science now confirms what dog owners have long suspected - our dogs are remarkably attuned to our language and emotions.

Ever noticed how your dog perks up at the word “WALKIES!” before you've even finished saying it? That’s because dogs respond to both positive words and uplifting intonation, a finding supported by research from Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest. The study monitored the brain activity of 13 dogs trained to lie still in MRI scanners while listening to their owners speak.

How Dogs Process Language

Dr. Attila Andics, who led the study, explained that dogs use different parts of their brains to process language:

• Left Hemisphere: Processes the meaning of words.
• Right Hemisphere: Reacts to tone and intonation.

For dogs to truly feel praised, both the words and intonation must be positive. This finding highlights why positive reinforcement is far more effective than negative reactions in training.

What This Reveals About Human Evolution

Interestingly, this research provides insights into the evolution of human language. Dr. Andics believes the ability to process words may have developed in humans earlier than previously thought. The study suggests that the neural mechanisms enabling word recognition aren’t unique to humans - they’re present in dogs, too.

However, what sets humans apart is not the brain structure itself but our innovation to use words for communication. “The big boom,” as Dr. Andics calls it, was humanity’s invention of using words to convey emotions and ideas beyond intonation.

Takeaways for Dog Owners

• Use positive words and tone to reinforce good behavior.
• Dogs respond best when your words and emotions align.
• Praise with intention - your dog knows the difference between genuine and meaningless praise.