If you've spent any time with dogs, you know that they communicate with their owners or handlers in many different ways. Barking, whimpering, whimpering, growling, a wagging tail, tail tucked between legs—all convey different emotions and levels of comfort. But do dogs have accents when they bark?
A study by the Canine Behavior Center in England found that dogs can have different accents or nuances in their barking depending on their owner's speaking habits.
This article explains the details of the study mentioned above and visits some related topics on how dogs communicate with and understand their humans.
Contents
- 1 Dogs have accents?
- 1.1 Do dogs from different countries communicate differently?
- 2 Can dogs process and understand human accents?
- 2.1 Meaning matters
- 2.2 How well can dogs recognize the sound of human words?
- 3 Do other animals have accents?
- 4 How to communicate better with dogs
- 5 final thoughts
Dogs have accents?
The Canine Behavior Center performed alearnin the early 2000s who wanted to find out if dogs could have accents. The owners of the dogs tested recorded the sounds of their barking and growling. The sound samples were then compared and analyzed to get the final result.
Once all the data was processed, the researchers came to the conclusionDogs mimic the tone and pitch of their owner's voice, thus developing their "accent" over time..
For example, dogs that live with an owner who uses a harsh tone will have this sound in their bark, and a dog that lives with a haughty and upscale owner will adopt a similar style of barking.
Do dogs from different countries communicate differently?
Many people around the world like to think that dogs speak different languages or sound different depending on where they come from. However, dog language and behaviors areUniversal-,and dogs can understand each other perfectly regardless of nationality.
Belief in the idea of unique dog languages stems from the fact that people from different countries use different onomatopoeia and words to mimic a dog's bark. For example, in the United States barking noises are represented as "woof-woof," "ruff-ruff," and "bow-wow."
However, the same phrases are written and spoken as "Guau-Guau" and "Jau-Jau" in Spanish, or "Wouaff-Wouaff" and "Who-Whou" in French. Other versions of the barking onomatopoeia are:
- Deutsch:„wuff-wuff“ und „vow-vow“
- Finnish: "hau-hau" and "vuh-vuh"
- Japanese: "wan-wan" und "increasingly"
So dogs, at least in the minds of humans, can speak different languages, although actually they don't.
Can dogs process and understand human accents?
Alearn published in the journal by Ratcliffe and RebyCurrent Biologydiscovered thatDogs use the same methods as humans to process and respond to the vocalizations and human language of their own kind.
In both dogs and humans, the left hemisphere processes verbal content heard, and the right hemisphere interprets the tone and pitch of the voice used. It has been found that sound information processed by the left hemisphere is better heard through the right ear and vice versa.
For the study, dogs were placed between two loudspeakers that played both a human voice and another non-human voice at the same time. The human sounds were varied to include high or low and fast or slow pitches, or familiar commands compared to foreign languages.
When dogs heard a clip of a command in a familiar language, they turned their heads toward the speaker using their right ear, indicating that the left hemisphere was the one processing language. If the meaning of a command was omitted and only the tone was played, the dogs would turn to use the left ear and right hemisphere.
meaning is important
This study shows that what we say to dogs must have meaning in order for them to process and respond to it, because when dogs are presented with sounds (or accents), only the right side of their brain is more active. When dogs are presented with complete command and tone information, both sides of the brain and both ears work in unison.
It's unclear how much speech dogs actually understand, but researchers know they can hear and respond to human speech, though not necessarily specific accents.
How well can dogs recognize the sound of human words?
The English language is notoriously difficult, but dogs are extremely talented at distinguishing between subtle changes in similar words. Researchers are conducting research to test this in dogsThe University of Sussexhad dogs sit next to a loudspeaker and listen to a random sequence of words starting with “h” and ending with “d” from a master list.
The dogs' reactions were videotaped and recorded for analysis. The experiment was based on the principle ofhabituation, whereby the more times a person or animal hears the same word or phrase, the less attention they pay to it. This happened in the study.
Whenever the dog first heard a word, they pricked up their ears and listened intently.However, if the word was said or repeated with a different accent, the dog would lose interest and ignore it.When a new word was said, they got excited again.
The researchers concluded that while the dogs could perceive the sounds of the words and tell the difference between the sounds, it was difficult to tell if the dogs could understand the words.
It's important to realize that you should pay more attention to your own body language when communicating with your dog. Things like facial expressions and posture provide your dog with the context of what you say. Dogs use body language to understand your emotions. I wrote about this in an article entitled “"Do dogs know when you're sad".
Do other animals have accents?
Although the evidence on whether dogs develop accents is limited, there is clearer evidence that other animals develop accents. Most of the main evidence lies in the communication of cetaceans, especially sperm whales. Research by psychologist Bob Seyfarth and biologist Dorothy Cheney shows that most animals are born knowing how to speak the language of their species, and that basic communication does not depend on where they were born. However, sperm whales for example communicate with different clicking patterns, these patterns are determined by the region they originate from, the example used in the research was Caribbean versus Pacific whales.
Another example of animals with different accents are ducks, no, not a specific duck found deep in the Amazon rainforest, we're talking about your plain English duck. Research from Middlesex University has found that London Cockney ducks have a harsher tone to their quacks than Cornish ducks.
It's interesting to compare other animals and the possibility that they have accents. If these animals develop accents, depending on where they live, there's a good chance your pooch will develop an accent too. However, looking at this evidence, it appears that if an owner has a distinctly heavy accent such as a Cockney or Glaswegian, there is a higher likelihood that their pooch will develop a harsher tone in their bark.
How to communicate better with dogs
So, after learning a little about whether dogs have accents and how they process language from their own kind and from humans, you may be wondering how you can communicate more effectively with the dogs in your life. Sometips to do just that include:
- Say keywords:If you repeat yourself, the dog thinks listening is optional
- Use hand signs or body gestures:Dogs love these because they use body language to communicate with other dogs
- Teach your dog the right behavior:Use treats or other positive reinforcement when they do something good
- talk less:The more you communicate with your dog or try to get him to listen, the more he will ignore you
By understanding how dogs think and how you can convey information to them more efficiently, you can develop a better relationship with your four-legged friend. As a result, they will be more loyal to you and more willing to complete the tasks you ask of them. Dogs speak differently than humans, so you need to bridge the gap.
Dogs can also use their noses to see what you're saying. They do this by smelling the chemicals your body produces, including serotonin, which cause your happiness. Dogs can also sense aggression and negativity, which allows them to track down bad people. Check out an article I wrote"Can Dogs Sense Bad People - Understand Someone's Intentions".
Final Thoughts
In summary, dogs have accents; they adapt their barking to their owner's speaking habits over time. Each dog initially has its own pitch for its bark. The idea that dogs can speak different languages came about because people around the world use different onomatopoeic sounds to mimic dogs barking.
Dogs can process the language of both humans and their own kind, but it's unclear how much they actually understand. In both types, the left brain is used to process the sound information heard, while the right brain recognizes the tone and pitch of the voice. What we say to dogs needs to be meaningful so that they can process and understand it.
Because of this, it's best to train dogs with single-word commands. A single word or word sound is easier for dogs to remember and has meaning. Saying a word just once in a certain tone will arouse the dog's interest and he will be more likely to process it. If a word is repeated in the same tone, a dog will tune it out.
Dog owners should do their part in learning how dogs communicate in order to get the most out of their relationship with their best friend. Dogs always want to do their best for us, so we should do the same for them.
FAQs
Do dogs have accents? ›
So the answer to our question above is “no”. Animals do not speak in regional accents as we do but the way they communicate can change according to where they live. Incidentally, we also discovered that the noises that animals make in our language varies from country to country.
Do dogs understand different accents? ›The answer is yes, according to new research from the University of Sussex. Dogs are able to listen to different people saying the same word and recognise it as the same word, ignoring the differences between speakers. Dogs can also discriminate between unfamiliar people by the sound of their voice alone.
Do dogs know when you are speaking a different language? ›Our canine pets are such good social learners that they can detect speech and distinguish languages without any explicit training. Just like you, your dog knows when someone is speaking your native tongue or a foreign language, Hungarian researchers reported.
Do dogs hear accents? ›Do dogs bark in regional accents? According to a new study dogs develop a bark or "voice" similar to the sound of their owner's regional accent. For example dogs in Liverpool communicate in a higher pitch than other dogs and Scottish dogs tend to have a lighter tone to their bark.
Do dogs have a secret language? ›Research into the mind of the canine shows that dogs have a physical and a vocal language as well as a rich social intelligence. It's a way of communicating with their owners and other dogs. The secret language of dogs is as complex and subtle as the human language. Dogs like to talk, just like their human owners.
Do dogs speak dog language? ›Pheromones, glandular secretions, barks, whines, yips, growls, body postures, etc., all serve as effective means of communication between dogs. Unlike in people, canine body postures and olfactory (scent) cues are significant components of dog language and vocal communications are less significant.
What language do dogs understand the most? ›Dogs read more into our tone and body language than our actual words. They focus on us and observe our physical clues to determine what we want them to do or not do. They watch our facial expressions, posture, and body movements. They listen to the tone of our voice.
What language do all dogs understand? ›So how many languages can dogs understand, really? The mind-blowing answer here is that dogs can learn pretty much any language you throw at them. English, Spanish, French, Mandarin, you name it. They can understand commands in two, four, six, ten different languages, if you really want to expand their repertoire.
Can dogs know 2 languages? ›Dogs are "bilingual" and can distinguish between languages, according to new research. The skill was thought to be unique to humans, but it has also been identified in our four-legged friends through a new study.
Do dogs talk to you? ›Dogs communicate with us all day long, and whether we know it or not, we're talking right back to them through a variety of verbal and nonverbal cues. In fact, a recent study concluded that there are 19 different signals that dogs use to talk to us.
Do dogs talk to each other like humans? ›
The difference is, while humans primarily use verbal communication, dogs mainly communicate non-verbally through the use of body language and secondarily through vocalizations. This body language includes tail carriage and motion, ear and eye position, body position and movement, and facial expressions.
Do dogs bark in a language? ›Dogs communicate in many ways, including body language, scent, and of course barks, whines, and growls, but barks are likely the first thing you think of when you consider dog communication.
What do dogs hear when we talk? ›However, canines can figure out the gist of what we want and gather a lot of information from our body language, tone of voice, the rhythm of our voice and intonation of speech. What your dog hears when you talk to him is his favorite melody – your voice.
Do dogs like hearing us talk? ›Now, scientists have shown that puppies find our pooch-directed speech exciting, whereas older dogs are somewhat indifferent. The findings show, for the first time, that young dogs respond to this way of talking, and that it may help them learn words—as such talk does with human babies.
What kind of voices do dogs like? ›Soft and reassuring (low volume, high pitch) – A soothing tone of voice expresses affection and caring and is often used when bonding with your dog. Think of how you sound when trying to comfort a baby.
Why should you not hug your dog? ›A few people disagree, but despite how good it feels for humans to receive hugs, most experts agree with Coren's analysis that dogs do not like to be hugged because the gesture immobilizes them, causing high levels of stress and anxiety that could lead to aggression or biting in extreme cases, or just a nervous and ...
How do dogs apologize to each other? ›One of the common ways your dog will try to say sorry is by making “puppy eyes” or tucking its tail between its legs. Avoiding eye contact and lowering their ears are also common ways for dogs to apologize.
What are the 7 ways dogs communicate? ›Dogs communicate with one another and with us using their own elegant, non-verbal language. These tips focus on seven important aspects of a dog's body: eyes, ears, mouth, tail, sweat and overall body posture/movement. Staff and volunteers can use this information to interpret what an animal is feeling.
How do you say thank you in dog language? ›Whohohowho! (that is 'Thank you! ' in dog language)....
How do you say hi in dog language? ›The dog word for “hello” is woof (pronounced wuf, wüf, and sometimes wrüf, depending on breed and regional dialect). Facing your dog, say woof in as energetically and friendly a way as possible (tone of voice is very important; the similar-sounding weuf means “Back off!
Why do dogs put their paw on you? ›
Conclusion: Pawing means your dog wants your attention. If your dog puts their paw on you while you're spending time together, it's likely an expression of affection or the gestural equivalent of “pet me more!”
What do dogs think when we kiss them? ›When a dog is kissed, it means bringing our face very close to the dog's face, and this is something that not all dogs are comfortable with. From a dog's perspective, putting our face close to their faces and plastering them a kiss on the nose, mouth or forehead, may be perceived as a bite or attempt to bite.
What do dogs think about all day? ›In general, Bray says dogs probably think about all the staples in their lives, from food and play to other dogs and their pet parents. Like humans, how much time they spend pondering a specific focus “depends on the dog and their individual preferences and experiences,” she notes.
Do dogs really know their name? ›Do Dogs Know Their Names? Studies have shown that dogs process language in a similar way that humans do, using both sides of their brain to understand body language, tone of voice, and context clues. With this method, dogs can learn many different words, including their own name and various nicknames.
Do dogs know they are loved? ›"Yes, your dog knows how much you love him! Dogs and humans have a very special relationship, where dogs have actually hijacked the human oxytocin bonding pathway that is normally reserved for our babies. When you stare at your dog, both your oxytocin levels go up, the same as when you pet them and play with them.
What do dogs think of humans? ›Some experts believe that dogs know we are a different species, so they wouldn't consider us eligible for their furry four-legged group. That said, dogs often treat us as like we're part of one big happy pack. They can be incredibly loyal and loving to their family members.
Do dogs know they are dogs? ›So, let's tie it back into the question at hand: “Do dogs think humans are dogs, too?” Given the results of the self-identification mirror tests, probably not. They probably also don't see themselves as dogs either. Instead, dogs most likely don't think about which category they fall into at all.
What language is easiest for dogs to understand? ›German is a clear, distinctive language for dogs to understand. When giving German commands, you'll say the word in the imperative form, which is concise, distinctive, and easy to learn. And it helps that they can be fun to say or yell.
Can dogs be bipolar? ›The History of Bipolar Disorder
To date, no such disorder has been identified for dogs despite the fact that dogs can sometimes display what appear to be sudden mood changes. However, as veterinary experts have observed this is usually a reaction rather than a biochemical imbalance that can lead to these extremes.
Researchers say canines can understand words including water, park, cat and gentle. It is a question that has been pondered by dog owners since the animals were first domesticated: Does my pet understand me?
How do dogs choose their favorite person? ›
Dogs choose their favorite people based on positive interactions and socialization they have shared in the past. Like humans, dogs are especially impressionable as their brains develop, so puppies up to 6 months old are in their key socialization period.
Do dogs like when you talk to then? ›Do dogs like it when you talk to them? Of course they do! Talking to your dog might seem one-sided, but you don't need a verbal response to know chatting with your furry best friend is a good idea.
Why do dogs tilt their heads when you talk to them? ›A dog tilts his head to show that he is engaged much the way a human would nod during a conversation to indicate that he is listening. Social dogs that enjoy human interaction usually tilt their heads more often to encourage the continuation of the conversation and prolong the human contact.
Why do dogs smell your breath? ›With all of the above in mind, most dogs want to smell your breath just so that they can learn more information about you. It is a way for them to get some insight into things that they are for obvious reasons unable to ask. It is a canine way of saying “How are you doing? Tell me about your day."
What colors do dogs see? ›Human eyes have three types of cones that can identify combinations of red, blue, and green. Dogs possess only two types of cones and can only discern blue and yellow - this limited color perception is called dichromatic vision.
How do you say hi in dog barking? ›The woof or ruff – These are your typical playful barks intended to greet you or others. Woof barks are short in duration and have a mid- to lower pitch to them. They are your standard bark to say “hello” and “hey.” This comfortable bark means all is well in your dog's world.
What is a dog saying when it barks? ›Generally, a high-pitch bark is usually a positive thing, used when they want to tell others that they're not a threat or an invitation to play but can also be used when suddenly feel frightened. A low-pitched bark or growl is a sign of a threatened dog, possibly aggressive and it would like to be left alone.
Do dogs bark to talk to us? ›Most dogs bark at least a little. Dog barks are not words. But although your dog will never tell you about his parents or the weather or the amazing bone he had yesterday, his barks still communicate important information.
Do dogs know when its bedtime? ›Dogs and Time
We know dogs have circadian rhythms, and are sensitive to day and night, as well as certain times of day. We know through living with dogs that they know when it's time to go to bed and when it's time to eat. Certainly a part of this is based on circadian rhythms and past experiences.
Dogs Don't Like Hugs
So, when you hug a dog, they don't understand what you're trying to say. In fact, you're essentially trapping them. They can't get away from anything that scares them or makes them uncomfortable while in your arms.
Does my dog see me as her mom? ›
So, yes, a puppy can definitely think of you as his “mother” — that is, his provider and protector — and develop as strong an emotional bond with you as if you were blood-related. Your puppy will also quickly learn to pick you out among strangers, both by sight and through his powerful sense of smell.
Do dogs understand when you say I love you? ›Especially if you tell them often, they will come to recognize your words and tone and will understand the love you have for them. As long as you're showing your dog love and affection, they will understand it. However, if you want to throw in an extra belly rub or treat once in a while, they will love you for it!
Do dogs like when you talk to them like a baby? ›Well, a recent study published in “Animal Cognition” last month, found that dogs actually respond well to baby talk. Researchers at the University of York in the United Kingdom tested two different types of speech on dogs.
Why do dogs have to touch you while sleeping? ›It provides them with a reliable place to lay their head and sense safety. This desire to sleep with you is likely a natural instinct to stay close for safety and secureness. You being the head of household or of certain authority to your dog, they feel the most secure in your presence.
What words do dogs respond best to? ›Dogs typically learn shorter words and commands faster, so make it easy for both parties and name them something unchallenging. A hard consonant with a high frequency (sh, s, ck, etc.) or long vowel sounds (“ay” or “ee”) are optimal for grabbing attention.
Do dogs like it when you kiss them? ›It depends. "If the dog has learned to accept kissing on top of the head, then that's fine," says Shojai. "For a new-to-you dog, though, I'd find other more species-appropriate ways to show affection." The truth is that some dogs simply don't like being kissed.
Why do dogs sigh? ›Dogs communicate pleasure, happiness, excitement, and affiliation through their vocalizations. The most common sounds of pleasure are moans and sighs, although dogs also use whines and growls to communicate happiness.
Can you say hello in dog language? ›The dog word for “hello” is woof (pronounced wuf, wüf, and sometimes wrüf, depending on breed and regional dialect). Facing your dog, say woof in as energetically and friendly a way as possible (tone of voice is very important; the similar-sounding weuf means “Back off!
What languages can dogs speak? ›Dogs aren't capable of truly learning multiple languages. Instead, they learn to associate a word with an outcome. If you try to teach your dog to sit in three different languages, they might have a hard time. Instead, focus on teaching them different commands in different languages.
Do dogs try to speak English? ›Signs a Dog Understands Words. Dogs do not speak English or any other language that humans use. They do learn to understand words and signals. If your words are English or German or any other language, those are the words your dog will learn.
What language do dogs think in? ›
Rather than thinking in a word-based language as we do, it's more likely that a dog's thoughts are rooted in several senses—chief among them, smell. Proportionally, a much larger portion of a dog's brain is devoted to analyzing smells than a human's is (4).
How do dogs say sorry? ›One of the common ways your dog will try to say sorry is by making “puppy eyes” or tucking its tail between its legs. Avoiding eye contact and lowering their ears are also common ways for dogs to apologize. They also watch for your reaction.
Why do dogs lick you? ›Licking is a natural and instinctive behaviour to dogs. For them it's a way of grooming, bonding, and expressing themselves. Your dog may lick you to say they love you, to get your attention, to help soothe themselves if they're stressed, to show empathy or because you taste good to them!
Do dogs try to talk to us? ›Dogs communicate with us all day long, and whether we know it or not, we're talking right back to them through a variety of verbal and nonverbal cues. In fact, a recent study concluded that there are 19 different signals that dogs use to talk to us.
Do dogs understand their name? ›Do Dogs Know Their Names? Studies have shown that dogs process language in a similar way that humans do, using both sides of their brain to understand body language, tone of voice, and context clues. With this method, dogs can learn many different words, including their own name and various nicknames.
Do dogs understand kisses? ›According to Animal Behaviorists, 'dogs don't understand human kisses the same way that humans do. ' When kissing a young puppy, you may not notice any signs of recognition at all because they have yet to associate kisses with affection.
Do dogs like when humans talk? ›Now, scientists have shown that puppies find our pooch-directed speech exciting, whereas older dogs are somewhat indifferent. The findings show, for the first time, that young dogs respond to this way of talking, and that it may help them learn words—as such talk does with human babies.
Do dogs like being hugged? ›Dogs Don't Like Hugs
So, when you hug a dog, they don't understand what you're trying to say. In fact, you're essentially trapping them. They can't get away from anything that scares them or makes them uncomfortable while in your arms.
Some experts believe that dogs know we are a different species, so they wouldn't consider us eligible for their furry four-legged group. That said, dogs often treat us as like we're part of one big happy pack. They can be incredibly loyal and loving to their family members.
What do dogs think when you leave? ›Your furry friend might be thinking about their past and future, as studies suggest that they have their daily schedules on their mind all the time, so they might be looking forward to future events and reminiscing about a place or experience.
Do dogs see us as parents? ›
And what the studies show is welcome news for all dog owners: Not only do dogs seem to love us back, they actually see us as their family. It turns out that dogs rely on humans more than they do their own kind for affection, protection and everything in between.