Can dogs understand human language?

Do dogs savvy human language? 

Each to their own judgement, but I am here to tell you that I have known many that definitely understood what a person was saying, even to the point of being bilingual! 

Based on research, dogs generally understand human language with studies indicating that dogs can learn and recognize a significantly high number of words and phrases. 

While a dog may understand hundreds of words, dogs can learn to understand sign language also, especially with training, as they are very adept at reading body language and hand gestures, making it a viable way to communicate with deaf dogs or when the owner is hearing impaired; however, they don’t inherently “understand” sign language without being taught specific signs and their meanings. 

Dogs are naturally good at interpreting visual cues like hand movements, so learning sign language can be easier than verbal commands for some dogs, but to understand sign language, dogs need to be specifically trained to associate hand gestures with certain actions or commands. 

While some people may use full American Sign Language (ASL) signs, most dog trainers focus on simple hand gestures that are easy for dogs to understand. Dogs tend to be more motivated to please their owners and actively learn new words in human language. 

Dogs are more attuned to human social cues and body language, which helps them interpret commands and intentions. Studies show that dogs exhibit more brain activity when exposed to familiar words, indicating a stronger understanding of language. 

Dogs have been developing their ability to understand humans for thousands of years. This includes learning to recognize human gestures, expressions, and vocal cues. 

Dogs were selectively bred for traits that made them good companions, guards, and hunters. This process led to the development of their social skills and communication abilities. Dogs learn to respond to human social cues through basic conditioning processes. 

Dogs have evolved specialized skills for recognizing and interpreting human social-communicative signals. In fact, recent research on dogs’ language comprehension show that dogs can recognize their owners from voice alone. 

They can distinguish words and the intonation of human speech. Which allows them to learn to associate words with specific objects. In fact, dogs can understand that specific words are linked to particular objects. 

I say all of this to confirm that dogs understand and react to language. As a result, they are very beneficial in a variety of areas where a helping hand is needed. 

This poem is called “Daylights A Burnin’ and I wrote it after seeing a picture of a cowboy in his tack room with his Border Collie sitting at his feet. I am sure this scene is repeated many times throughout the west. My brother Willy cowboys near Ballinger, Texas and I have watched him literally carry on a conversation with his dog as they plan and prepare for the days’ work. I am sure you could tell many stories substantiating a dogs ability to savvy human language.

Daylight’s A Burnin’

Howdy Nipper, looks like yore rarin’ to go.

I’ll be ready soon’s I mend this tack…

some jughead musta just give it a throw,

anyhow, it warn’t hangin’ on the rack.

But I’ve pert near got the tangle out

if this dadgum kink would just turn loose.

Thought I’d hang it on that blue roan’s snout,

but he’s been actin’ silly as a goose!

Pard, what you think about that Dapple Grey?   

Bet he’ll shore give yore innards a jolt,

an’ fer no reason he’ll run away.

Why you reckon he always wants to bolt?

Guess I need to use that ol’ yeller hoss,

yet I ain’t so shore he has much bottom.

His dam shore ‘nuff found favor with the boss,

but dadgumit, he retired her last autumn.

Come to think of it, that black shore is shiny.

But you’d dang shore better keep his head up

‘cuz he’ll unseat you an’ bust yore hiny,

leave you  sittin’ there yelpin’ like a pup.

An’ I never did like that ol’ Pat much,

dang shore acts sorta wimpy, don’t you think?

An’ that young colt, it’s skittish to yore touch,

a bit gotch eyed an’ wilder than a mink!

I think I’ll just dab a loop on ol’ Red,

he’s  as savvy a hoss as you will find.

Dang shore’ll  keep his head in most any fray,

an’ it takes that to keep you out of a bind.

Wal, we gotta work those beeves in Hanes meadow,

so it’ll shore ‘nuff be a long hard day,

an’ the goin’ will be sorta slow.

When I finish this, we’ll be on our way.

There! That dang ol’ kink has about met its fate.

Shore would like to grease it up just a bit,

but I reckon that job will have to wait.

We better start ‘fore the boss throws a fit.

Thanks pard, fer helpin’  sort out my thinkin’,

it shore ‘nuff had my head jest a churnin’.

Would pert near make yore ol’ eyes go to blinkin’.

Wal, let’s hit a trot… daylights a burnin’!

©Ol’ Jim Cathey  

Join us Sunday morning at First Baptist Church in Marlin for Bible believing preaching!