Researchers in Hungary and Norway discovered that dogs have the ability to link words to mental images or ideas in their minds, similar to humans. The study involved playing recordings of toy names while showing the corresponding toys to the dogs. The dogs’ brain activity showed a different response when the toy name matched the object shown compared to when the toy name did not match.
The researchers invited dogs who knew at least three object names, with some dogs knowing over 230 object names. This study aimed to understand how dogs understand human language and why some dogs struggle to learn object names. Dogs have been living in close proximity to humans for thousands of years, making them exposed to human speech and social interactions.
The study involved methods similar to those used on infants, with dogs watching their owners through a window while listening to recordings of toy names. The owners then showed the toys to the dogs, sometimes tricking them by showing a different toy than the one named. The dogs’ brain activity indicated that they were expecting to see the object named by their owner, and their response varied when that expectation was violated.
The study has limitations, including the need for more research to understand the development of this skill in dogs. However, the researchers are pleased with the results and plan to conduct further studies to explore this topic. This research sheds light on the cognitive abilities of dogs and their understanding of human language, opening up new avenues for exploration in the field of animal cognition.
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