“When your baby picks up a cup and is focused on it, then suddenly says, ‘Cup!’ parents are sure to excitedly grab their phone to share the good news with family! And when the baby learns a new word, parents often keep a mental tally of the vocabulary their little one has mastered.”
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Do You Know How Many Words Your Dog Understands?
So, how much vocabulary can your dog actually understand? You might know that your dog has mastered basic commands like “sit,” “walk,” and “fetch the ball.” However, researchers suggest that a dog’s brain may store far more words than you might think. Dr. Stanley Coren, an expert on canine intelligence, believes that dogs typically understand around 165 words, and with training, they can understand even more. When training your dog to learn new words, consistency is key. If you call your dog’s dinner “dinner,” but your partner calls it “supper,” your dog might get confused by these mixed signals. But when everyone consistently calls it “dinner,” your dog will quickly perk up its ears when you mention it, excited for the meal!
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Meet the Top Dog Learners in the World
When it comes to people’s fascination with canine intelligence, we can’t overlook Rico, the border collie. In 2001, Rico showcased his ability to recognize over 200 words on a German TV show. Since then, more and more dog owners have become curious about their own dogs’ intelligence. Rico was later trained at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany, where researchers discovered that Rico could use the process of elimination to identify unfamiliar words. Remarkably, he could even remember words he hadn’t heard in a month. Later, another border collie, Chaser, broke the record by remembering 1,022 words—truly the Einstein of the dog world! Chaser’s owner, John W. Pilley, a psychologist at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, began training Chaser in 2004, teaching him two new toy names every day. Three months later, Chaser had an impressive vocabulary and a collection of toys. In February 2011, Chaser’s achievements were published in a study in the Behavioural Processes Journal.
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How Do Dogs Learn and Understand the Words Their Owners Teach Them?
Dogs are great at understanding words that are tied to specific objects or actions (like “sit,” “walk,” or “car”) rather than abstract concepts. For example, you can say “treat” several times to get your dog’s attention, but saying “I love you” probably won’t have the same effect. Of course, your dog may wag its tail when you speak in a praising tone, but it knows that after the command “treat,” there’s a concrete reward (food). When naming your dog, you might have heard that dogs respond better to sounds like “T” or “R” than vowels or consonants like “S” or “F.” They also prefer short words. This principle also applies to words dogs are learning: for example, instead of “training,” choosing “go” makes it easier for your dog to understand “out.” Dr. Pamela Reid, a certified applied animal behaviorist with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), says: “Using one word to communicate with your dog helps with learning. In some cases, dogs may not fully grasp the meaning of the entire word but rather focus on the first syllable or letter of the word.” For instance, when you say, “Do you want to go out and play?” your dog may only recognize “play.”
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Other Helpful Methods in the Learning Process
Your dog’s body language plays an important role in interpreting commands. Just like humans, each dog learns at its own pace. For adult dogs that haven’t been trained, while their learning speed may not match that of a puppy, they can still learn. Genetics (breed) also plays a role in a dog’s ability to learn. Both Chaser and Rico are border collies, a breed with a long history of intelligence and herding ability. Other intelligent breeds include poodles, German shepherds, golden retrievers, and Doberman pinschers.
Having a naturally smart dog is a gift for any owner, but with patience, love, and consistent training, any dog can become a superstar in the canine world! And don’t forget to reward them with a treat!
