Some clever dogs can learn new words simply by overhearing our conversations, a new study has found.
These gifted pups – dubbed Gifted Word Learners (GWLs) – were found to possess language learning skills similar to one-year-old human toddlers.
At least, these are the findings of a study from Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), Budapest, and the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna.
Their scientists tested how well these clever dogs could learn the names of new toys and retrieve them when asked.
“We found that, not only were the dogs able to learn the names of the two new toys from overhearing their owners’ interactions, but that the dogs’ performance was similar to when the owners directly taught the dogs the names of two new toys,” Dr Shany Dror – cognitive researcher and first author of the study – told BBC Science Focus.
“This mirrors findings from studies with 18-month-old children, which found that children at that age are equally good at learning from overheard speech and direct interactions.”
In each experiment, a clever dog was introduced to two new toys. Some dogs were introduced directly, with their owners telling them the toys’ names.
But other dogs learnt about their toys by eavesdropping on conversations between two human family members.
Each time, this introduction was repeated several times over a few days, with ample opportunity for the dogs to play with their new toys.
Then, they were tested on their word learning. The two new toys – plus nine old ones – were set up in another room, and the dogs were asked to retrieve a specific toy.
The clever dogs correctly retrieved toys they had been introduced to 92 per cent of the time.
If they only overheard discussions about a toy, this number fell slightly – but only to 83 per cent.
Dror said it was important to note that their findings were specific to a small group of exceptionally intelligent dogs.
“However, from previous studies we know that, compared to other species, dogs have an exceptional ability to interpret human communicative cues,” she continued.
“I hope that this study will help both the general public and scientists develop a deeper appreciation for how extraordinary the social skills of dogs are, so that we can maximise their potential in our communication with dogs.”
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