A series of viral videos depicting dogs using soundboard buttons to communicate with their owners has sparked curiosity about whether canines can truly grasp human language. The phenomenon, popularized by Instagram stars like Stella, has led to a groundbreaking study conducted by Federico Rossano, an associate professor at the University of California San Diego.
Initially skeptical of the authenticity of these talking dog videos, Rossano delved into a comprehensive investigation supported by a large sample size of nearly 10,000 pets across 50 countries. The research revealed that dogs do react to specific words when the corresponding buttons are pressed, indicating a level of comprehension beyond mere random button pressing.
Among the most frequently used words by these communicating dogs are “outside,” “play,” “food,” “treat,” “water,” “scritches,” “walk,” and “want.” Rossano emphasized that dogs tend to choose words that align with their typical desires and needs.
Further studies conducted by Rossano and Amalia Bastos from Johns Hopkins University explored whether dogs truly understand the meanings of the words they use. An experiment featuring a beagle cross named Parker demonstrated the dog’s ability to use the word “help” in a contextually relevant manner when faced with a problem he couldn’t solve independently.
Rossano’s ongoing research focuses on dogs that exhibit linguistic productivity by combining multiple buttons to convey complex ideas. Despite the early stages of this study, Rossano remains enthusiastic about the potential for dogs to develop sentence-like communication patterns using word buttons.
For those intrigued by this groundbreaking research, the documentary “Can Dogs Talk?” offers an in-depth exploration of canine communication on CBC Gem and The Nature of Things YouTube channel.