A new study has found that “gifted” dogs have the ability to eavesdrop on their owners’ conversations and pick up new words. Seriously.
When it comes to training a dog, it can be difficult enough to get them to learn commands for stay, sit, down, or even bed. Some dogs pick up the training quicker than others, quickly learning different commands.
As we’ve seen on TikTok and social media, some dogs have recognized different sounds to communicate with their owners. Plenty of dog lovers now have buttons in their home that correspond to different words, meaning dogs can easily ask for treats, toys, or even the toilet with a quick press.
However, a new study by the Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary and the University of Veterinary Medicine in Austria has found that some more “gifted” dogs can eavesdrop on conversations and pick up new commands, even if their owner isn’t speaking directly to them.
Dogs can expand vocabulary by eavesdropping
“This is the first time that we see a specific group of dogs that are able to learn labels from overhearing interactions,” study author Shany Dror told the Associated Press.
In the study, ten “gifted” dogs watched as their owners held onto new toys and spoke to another person about it, never interacting with the dog. The toys were then placed in a different room, with the dogs commanded to go and find the requested toy.
Seven of the 10 dogs successfully learned the names of their new toys and retrieved them for their owners. This even included some toys being put into boxes while the owners spoke about them.
The dogs were able to retrieve new toys without being taught the command.
As per AP’s report, the “gifted” dogs are from an elite group of 50 pups, from which scientists have recognized their increased skills versus other dogs.
Other dogs have also proven themselves to be pretty clever to start the new year too. Over in Oregon, an 82-year-old woman was found after a dog led rescuers to her after she had been reported missing.
