How Dogs Learn Words
 

I'm finding Psychology Today has some good pet articles lately.

[url]https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/statistical-life/201810/how-dogs-learn-words[/url]

Oh, that's fascinating! Makes a lot of sense when I think back on how many words our dogs picked up over the years without us specifically teaching them. They were always listening and trying to figure out what we were saying...and succeeded a remarkable percentage of the time! (And yes, I'll admit that I do tend to talk to them almost nonstop :laughing:)

I tended to use the same words to preface a question to my last Lab. I'd ask her, "Would you like your supper?" "Would you like a walk?" "Would you like to go for a car ride?" All happy things she liked.

One day I tricked her and asked, "Would you like an airplane?" As soon as the first word was out her face lit up and she got her happy face on, which was often accompanied by all four feet bouncing. Then I got to "airplane." Her face fell, she stopped bouncing and I got the classic head tilt that says, "WHAT?"

If you try it, let us know how your pup reacts. :)