"Is It Possible For A Dog To Understand What People Are Saying?" Sparks A Heated Debate Online

Our dogs are more intelligent than merely "sit," "stay," and "walk."

Maryjane

• Published in Animals
• September 11, 2022

Well-trained dogs follow the commands of their owners. They sit, come, and stay whenever they are told to.

Research may increase our appreciation of our dog’s capacity to comprehend not only our words but also the manner in which we say them. Amazingly, dogs can understand human body language and intonation.

Our dogs are more intelligent than merely "sit," "stay," and "walk." So it’s been established that whenever we address our devoted furry companions directly, they respond with their actions.

But then, can these doggos also understand what we are saying when we’re communicating with others? Have you ever wondered if they can understand what we say on the phone in private?

Do they understand what we talk about at the dinner table? Do our pets eavesdrop during our conversations?

Do we really need to argue outside in the yard? Are we deceiving ourselves?

What’s with the hidden conversations when our pets see practically everything we do? We might have no answer to this, but one thing we’re sure of is that they won't repeat a word, even if they understand what we’re saying!

Users of Quora have come out in their numbers to give their takes on a similar question, so go ahead and check out their replies.

Here is the question which was thrown to the Quora community

1. Meet Wookie

2. A definite yes from this commenter

3. A positive answer

Yes. Some words my dog definitely understands, others I think are a matter of him intuiting tone or body language rather than the words themselves. In general, it’s very easy to communicate with him and he trusts that we’ll understand him when he tries to communicate something. It makes it really easy to live with him.

4. Mastering the language

5. It is truly amazing

6. They understand the tone of the voice

With my dog it was simple. He understood “let’s go for a walk” “you’re staying home” and “food?”

1st sentence would get him sO excited. Obviously. He’d run around, back and forth. Looking at me, probably letting me know he was going for a walk. Unless it was me going for a walk with him then he told grandpa, and when he passed away he didn’t really have anyone to let know about the exciting news since it was just two of us at home at that time.

2nd one wasn’t obviously as exciting to him. When my mum worked 4am-4pm shifts (or something like that, she went to work at night basically) our dog would run after her all excited thinking he’s going for a walk. Then my mum would break him the news “no you’re staying home right now and going for a walk with Berit” then he’d walk back to his napping spot.

3rd sentence. I’d just ask him if he was hungry and wanted food. For example whenever he was acting as if he needed something. And it was mum and I together at home. He’d stare at me, whenever he was bit hungry.

And mentioning the food to him got him excited and then off we went to fill his bowl and he’d eat and I’d go back to my business and then he’d later on come to my room, wag his tale and leave again. Probably to let me know he enjoyed the meal.

The thing is. Ever since my grandpa passed away, our dog came to me for food and always went to mum for walks. When grandpa was still alive, he’d lick his face whenever he wanted something. No matter what. Food. Walks (when my mum didn’t get the “I need a walk” look)

He was an adorable dog. I miss him. My best friend for 11 years. (I hope he’s not too mad at me for getting a cat after his death) but this was him

7. A doggo explanation

8. Associating words with certain meaning

Bosun is the best

That dog is smart

Bosun knows things he was never trained for

Jack

Special bond

He has a favorite word

Jack is resting:

9. Depends on the breed and individual

10. What I observed and learned

They recognize only certain words

Many words can be taught to these furry ones. And when we speak to them in the right tone, they can understand the meaning even better.

We can communicate with our pets and enjoy the fact that they "get" us. So over to you, do you feel that your dog can understand everything you say?

Share your thoughts with us by leaving a comment below.

Maryjane