I have zero doubt that most dogs understand more human words than we give them credit for. I’ve never had a dog that didn’t recognize his or her name, and most dogs I’ve had also recognized the names of their compatriots. We once had a liter of 7 pups that recognized each other’s names at 6 weeks old. (They were Aussies, so extra-smart. grin)
The two not-so-smart dogs I have right now recognize the names of other dogs here in the neighborhood. They also know who ‘Granny’ is—The Giver of Treats!—and Layla, She Who Must Be Obeyed Or Else. (My 2-year-old niece.)
We had two female rabbits once that we kept indoors. I let them loose in the kitchen when we were home and they were making puddles all over the floor. One day, just to be wise, I pointed to one corner and said, “Would you guys mind making your puddles in just this corner?” I cleaned up the floor and put them in for the night. The next day and thereafter the puddles were in that one corner only. I was amazed that they understood.
Years later, we had several rabbits which we let out in shifts because there were males and females. We gave them carrots, bananas and several other things for treats. It wasn’t long before we had to start spelling c-a-r’s and n-a-n-a’s because they knew the words and would get all excited thinking they were getting some. They never did learn to spell
I always thought they knew their names and each other’s.
Lots of anecdotes in this thread. Let’s just be clear we don’t confuse them with actual science. Anecdotes are a fine starting point, but they do not give us the scientifically valid answers.
We have several reports of individual animals responding to their names as names (not commands), and to the names of humans and other animals. I don’t think we should just arrogantly dismiss this because it does not include well-designed and scrupulously controlled double-blind research studies.
My first response in this thread gave a link and a book, both of which are very wary of the “clever Hans” trap, but still give many species credit for understanding (and even creating) names.
normalized dog commands are “name action” - so its not at all surprising for a dog to perk up on just ‘name’ - as its then waiting for the ‘what to do next’ as part of that training.
That being said - I do think that many animals do ‘put it together’ when it comes to names, etc - while it may not be scientific data - there are sufficient anecdotes and repeatable tests that suggest this to be accurate.
That, however, does not mean they understand the ‘concept’ of names - but the association of names with things.
John’s quite right. Until you do studies with appropriate controls, you don’t have any definitive evidence.
It wouldn’t be difficult to design a blind study. Have someone who doesn’t know what the animal’s actual name is call it or give it commands out of sight of the animal, using either its name or some other name. Have someone who is not visible to either the animal or the other person, and who also doesn’t know the animal’s actual name, evaluate the animal’s responses.
But let’s also keep in mind that we wouldn’t know if the dog hears “Ginger” and thinks “oh, that’s me” or “go to where that sound is coming from, and I may get food, petted or, better yet, that clown has my ball!!”. So, sure we can easily establish that the dog responds to its name, but we shouldn’t assume that “response” is similar to what a human’s response is upon hearing his name.
[Possession by grammar school teacher]
Is your name “John”?
[/PBGST]
Fine. Define the responses, and how to account for the differences in the response of a retriever, boxer, spaniel, or shepherd.
Really, it just is not true that the only acceptable data come from DB studies.
Anecdotes can provide some initial evidence that a phenomenon exists, but you can’t really demonstrate something of this nature scientifically without carefully controlled studies. (Note that “double blind” studies refer to those in which neither the subject nor the researcher know whether the subject belongs to the control group or the experimental group. “Double blind” does not really apply to studies in which animals are the subjects.)
I don’t know if this was said, too hard for me to scroll down and find out. But dogs and cats respond to similar sounds. It is however easier for them based on the amount of syllables in the words. It is said that you are supposed to name your pet with a 2 syllable name, as they understand it better and quicker
With respect, that was an important part of my initial point.
I am a bit surprised you assume that I do not know what a double blind study is. I both know what they are, and when most people think they are appropriate.
With respect, we’re simply talking about the difference between anecdotes reported by anonymous posters on the internet and peer reviewed, scientific studies. The former are interesting, but not definitive. We’re not trying to make this a contest about who knows the most concerning how scientific studies are designed.
