In recent times, social media has been buzzing with captivating videos showcasing dogs using soundboard buttons to communicate with their owners in what appears to be human language. Notably, Stella, hailed as “the world’s first talking dog,” and other popular canine social media figures have been seen requesting activities like going to the park or expressing discomfort, hinting at a form of conversation through these novel means.
The documentary “Can Dogs Talk?” from The Nature of Things delves into the fascinating realm of canine communication. Federico Rossano, an associate professor at the University of California San Diego specializing in human and animal social interaction, was initially skeptical of these videos, questioning their authenticity and potential for manipulation by owners. However, intrigued by the concept, Rossano embarked on a groundbreaking study involving a large sample of dogs and cats from nearly 50 countries, totaling around 10,000 pets, to explore their responses to word buttons.
Contrary to initial doubts, the research revealed that dogs do exhibit meaningful reactions to specific words activated by pressing buttons, independent of external cues from their owners. Furthermore, extensive analysis over almost two years demonstrated that dogs do not randomly press buttons, as certain terms such as “outside,” “play,” and “food” were consistently favored, aligning with typical canine behaviors and desires.
In addressing the fundamental question of whether dogs comprehend the words they use or merely associate them with specific outcomes, Amalia Bastos of Johns Hopkins University conducted an experiment involving a beagle mix named Parker. The study focused on Parker’s response to the word “help” in a scenario where he required assistance to access a treat from a sealed container, highlighting the complexity of the dogs’ language understanding.
Rossano’s ongoing research has unveiled intriguing insights, particularly in observing dogs combining multiple buttons to express varied ideas, resembling linguistic productivity. Amidst the evolving study involving hundreds of dogs using intricate button sequences, the prospects of dogs assembling button combinations akin to forming sentences present a new frontier in animal communication research.
The pursuit of understanding canine communication continues to evolve, with the research team acknowledging the necessity of long-term data collection to unravel the depths of this intriguing phenomenon. For those keen on exploring this captivating subject further, “Can Dogs Talk?” is available for viewing on CBC Gem and The Nature of Things YouTube channel.