Mary Allen
Dogs are quick learners of terms—at least some breeds are talented. However, they quickly forget what they have learned.
Some dogs are clever little guys and are at the forefront when it comes to training. A team of researchers has now investigated how quickly the four-legged friends can learn new terms and associate them with objects.
Vocabulary test
In the experiments of the Hungarian scientists, a border collie and a Yorkshire terrier were involved in games with their owners, who always named the toy they were tugging. The dogs understood the game immediately: Already with the fourth repetition of a vocabulary they could fish the play object of desire from a heap of unknown and known toys.
However, this learning effect did not last long: after just one hour, the “Bring” command no longer worked. The animals also did not succeed in acting according to the exclusion principle: Although the dogs in experiment 2 chose a toy that did not yet have a name when there was a new concept, they could not distinguish it from an unknown object when it was mentioned again. The summary: long-term training is required for lasting success.
Frequently Asked Question
Can a dog understand words?
Dogs can learn various gestures quite easily and quickly; they can even interpret our body language better than we can! But it is even more surprising that the four-legged friends can also understand individual words, regardless of the intonation.
How can you talk to a dog?
Dogs express their opinions with their whole bodies: ears, tails, and fur are used, as are barking, growling, and whimpering. Dogs use pricked ears, ruffled fur, and erect tails as signals of intimidation and threats.
Which command for callback?
Which command should I use for the callback? Of course, any word can be used as a command word. But you have to have the word ready in critical situations and be able to react in a targeted manner. Many dog owners use: “Come”, “Here”, “To me” or similar commands.
What to do if the dog doesn’t follow?
Call your dog once, wait a moment to see if there is a reaction from him, and call him a second time at most. If he doesn’t show a reaction yet, give him a small signal with the leash to get his attention, so that ideally he actively comes to the owner.
How do you say no to a dog?
If you want to teach the dog “no” or “off,” start by showing the desired behavior. For example, show a treat in your hand and say “no” before making a fist with your hand around the treat.
What does it mean when my dog licks my hand?
Licking the hand is a positive gesture.
Dogs show that he trusts this person, feels comfortable, and accept the leadership of the pack by their owner. If the dog licks your hand, he wants to show you that he likes it.
Why is my dog biting my feet?
Sometimes when someone comes to us and it depends on people, he bites people’s feet to make them stop. He doesn’t let these people out of his sight, gets up when they do, walks around in front of their feet, and then always pinches their feet. This often happens without warning.
How does my dog get cuddly?
You can’t teach cuddling, but you can at least show your dog that it can also be nice. To do this, you should find a spot where your dog likes to be petted or massaged and get in there. For example, many dogs like to be scratched on the ear.
Can a dog watch TV?
In general, pets like dogs and cats can watch TV. However, you can only expect a reaction if the television pictures were taken from a perspective you are familiar with. It is also important that things relevant to four-legged friends, such as conspecifics, are shown.
How do I get my dog’s full attention?
On your walk, notice how often your dog crosses your path, how often your eyes meet, or how often your dog gives you a look over his shoulder. Focus intensely on the small gifts your dog gives you on this walk.