Can dogs learn to speak? New research says yes!

Ever wondered what your dog would say if they could talk? Well, if you're willing to put in a bit of work, you may actually find out. The method is called Augmentative Interspecies Communication (AIC), and through this dogs are literally starting to speak their minds.

The research behind the buzz

Let’s back up a bit. AIC devices, especially soundboards, have been all the rage lately. You've probably seen those viral videos of dogs pressing buttons to say things like "outside", "food" or "I love you". But does this mean your dog is ready to start a podcast? Maybe not just yet.

Scientists have been scratching their heads (and their dogs’ bellies) over whether our furry friends truly understand what they’re saying - or if they’re just really good at pressing random buttons. Previous studies have shown that animals like dolphins and apes can use similar devices to communicate. But dogs? That was still up in the air - until now.

How the study was conducted

To crack the code, researchers set up two studies. The first was led by professional researchers - lab coats and all. The second was a bit more DIY, involving regular dog owners like you and me. These citizen scientists followed the same procedures, but in their own homes, where dogs are the undisputed kings and queens.

The goal? To see if dogs could understand and appropriately respond to three types of words: food-related, play-related, and outside-related. And just to make things interesting, the researchers threw in some curveballs, like having an unfamiliar person press the buttons or switching between spoken words and button presses.

Key findings

So, what did they find? Drumroll, please… Our four-legged friends might not be ready for TED Talks, but they’re definitely on the right track. The study showed that dogs could associate certain words with specific actions. For example, when they heard "play," many dogs trotted over to their toy box, ready for a game of fetch. They did this whether the word came from their beloved owner or a total stranger - pretty impressive, right?

And here’s the kicker: dogs responded just as well to spoken words as they did to the button presses. So, it’s not just about the buttons - they actually get what those words mean!

However, let’s temper the excitement a bit. This study confirms that dogs understand the meaning of the buttons, but it doesn’t yet provide evidence that dogs comprehend what they're "saying" when they press the buttons themselves. 

What this means for dog owners

Now, before you start imagining your dog calling you out for being late with dinner, let’s put this in perspective. These soundboards will not replace the way you already communicate with your dog; they’re simply a fun and engaging way to add to it - a high-tech extension of your dog’s vocabulary.

But here’s the real takeaway: dogs can learn to associate specific words with actions, and they’ll respond to those words even when presented in different ways. This could open up new ways to communicate with your pet, making life just a little easier and a lot more fun.

The future of interspecies communication

So, what’s next? More research, of course! The study shows promising results, but there’s still a lot to learn. The fact that everyday dog owners (aka citizen scientists) could gather reliable data means there’s huge potential for more widespread studies. Who knows - your dog could be a future research assistant!

And let’s not forget about the possibilities for two-way communication. Imagine your dog pressing a button to ask for a walk, and you responding with, "Sure, just after I finish this", and your dog answers "OK, I go settle". It’s not just about your dog understanding you - it’s the potential of having an actual conversation. 

Conclusion

In the end, this study gives us a glimpse into a future where our pets might not just be our best friends but our chatty companions, too. So, if you’ve been thinking about trying out one of these soundboards with your dog, go for it! It’s a fun experiment, and who knows - you might just learn a thing or two from your pup.

And hey, if the first word that your dog insists on learning is 'treat,' well, at least you’ll know that it works! 😆

Reference

Bastos, A. P. M., Evenson, A., Wood, P. M., Houghton, Z. N., Naranjo, L., Smith, G. E., Cairo-Evans, A., Korpos, L., Terwilliger, J., Raghunath, S., Paul, C., Hou, H., & Rossano, F. (2024). How do soundboard-trained dogs respond to human button presses? An investigation into word comprehension. PLOS ONE, 19 (8), e0307189. GET IT HERE