Do you ever feel like your domestic dog can understand what you ’re saying ? You may be right .

As dog parents , we can teach our pets to respond to basic pool stick like “ issue forth , ” “ down , ” “ sit , ” or “ abide . ” But researchers in Hungary recently found that dog can study to associate certain words with specific objects ( 1 ) .

The study sequester 18 dog to a non - incursive EEG ( electroencephalogram ) procedure that measure each blackguard participant ’s brainpower activity and file their brainiac wave . The dog owner said the names of objects that were familiar to their pet , such as a testis or frisbee . They then took turns usher their dogs an object that matched the description and then showing them object that did n’t .

Dog parent holding ball up to dog

The research squad watched each heel ’s brainpower scans and recognise patterns in their brains when the word talk did not match the aim that were show to them . Essentially , the dogs showed a surprised reaction in their mind when they were told an object was a nut but were shown something dissimilar than what they were expect . Next , the researchers be after to examine whether the same thing occurs in other mammals beyond pawl .

So what does this mean for dog parents?

“ This fresh finding is exciting because it suggests that our andiron have a better agreement of our nomenclature than previously suppose , ” read Dr. Rhiannon Koehler , a Kansas - based veterinarian . “ Your pet might in reality know the word for their favorite miniature or the lyric ‘ seam ’ or ‘ leash . ’ They could know your name ! ”

Thebond we have with our petsgoes beyond nomenclature , says Dr. Koehler , but it ’s compelling to know that dogs might empathize some of what we ’re saying . Teaching dogs specific words could come in handy for training , play , or safety reasons .

“ you could use the knowledge that your click might know the words for specific object to teach them new tricks , like get specific particular , ” Dr. Koehler say .

She suggest using cocksure reinforcement to endeavor to teach your dog new words . For object lesson , if you desire to teach the countersign “ ball , ” hold up the nut and say the intelligence “ ball . ” When your dog interacts with the target , reward the demeanor with delicious delicacy and affection . Begin make a motion the ball further off , tell the word , and then rewarding the interaction again .

“ finally , your whelp may lead off to assay out the aim when it ’s mentioned , ” Dr. Koehler explains . “ Over time , you could move toward intermittent treat reinforcement . You should always reward positively charged behaviors with praise and affection . ”Reference :