• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
DogsBestLife.com logo

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

How many words does your dog know?

Posted October 29, 2016

By Karen A. Soukiasian

The more you communicate with your dog, the more words he or she will learn.

Dogs learn by association; good and bad. He probably associated the word tea, for the letter T. What he heard was 3 sounds; “cup-of-tea,” which to him sounded like O-U-T. That’s a positive association in his mind…it means going outside! He receives a positive reinforcement, by having the door opened, so he can go outside. To him, “T” is a good sound!

how many words does your dog know

Dogs have an amazing aptitude to associate words with objects or actions. The average family pet, with minimal human-canine interaction can recognize as many as 20 words.

Dogs that have more interactions with their people, especially positive exchanges, can associate approximately 50 words. A number of behaviorists believe there are dogs that can associate up to 350-400 words!

Think for a minute, the fact dogs associate their name with themselves, is pretty fascinating.

Dogs don’t have names for each other. When they see a dog they are familiar with, they respond to the other dog’s name, because they have made an associate with the sound of that word, to that dog. We are the ones who have individualized them by naming them. By using that sound over and over, and praising them for responding appropriately, they learn their name.

They even learn to associate the sound of a dog’s name they don’t like, because we have trained them to associate that specific sound, with that particular dog.

Many dogs even learn their owner’s name; because they hear us calling each other by name, and our response to that sound. It doesn’t take them long, before they associate the sound of our name with us.

Here are a few other things to ponder…bilingual dogs! Dogs that hear more than one language being spoken in their home; soon learn to associate objects and actions with two sounds!

Ironically, it doesn’t even have to be a sound for a dog to make an association. Dogs owned by the hearing impaired, or dogs that are themselves deaf, are capable of quickly learning sign language by using hand signals to communicate. The owner can communicate as easily with their pet, using only sign language, as the rest of us do speaking to our dogs. It’s all about positive reinforcement! Now, how neat is that?

Bottom line: The sooner you start, the “smarter” your dog will be! Start off working with your dog on making simple day-to-day associations, and keep raising the bar. Reward them with positive reinforcement each time they make the correct association. It doesn’t matter if they are 8-weeks old, or 14-years old; it’s never too late. It does not matter if they can or cannot hear, or if you can or cannot hear; they will amaze you.

Challenge their brains. Dogs love learning something new every day!

Follow Karen A. Soukiasian on Facebook

Save

Related Posts

  • canine brain smartest dog breeds
    Is your dog on the smart list?

    Researcher and author Dr. Stanley Coren put together his list…

  • Millennial man reads to dog. Millennial increasingly choosing dogs over kids.
    Who's a smart boy?

    A study by Vanderbilt University shows dogs are smarter than…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Training, Home Page Tagged With: Dog communication

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • Tricolor Australian shepherd in front of white background. Take steps to stop dog pawing.

    Canine body language: What’s your dog saying with his paws?

  • Cute corgi puppy wrapped in a blanket. Talk with your vet about starting your dog on medication to protect him from parasites including flea and tick prevention, as well as heartworm prevention.

    Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

  • Thinking of getting a furry friend? Use the DogsBestLife.com perfect dog breed quiz to find the perfect canine companion.

    Take our dog breed quiz to discover the perfect breed for you!

Tags

Two dogsPuppy kindergartenPuppy-proofPit bullService dogsPawPoodleVacation dog careSheddingSocializationPotty trainingPet sitterSmall dogsPomeranianOutdoor activitiesThanksgivingWorking dogsYorkshire terrierRescue dogVeterinariantraining tipsPet parentsTicksSeparation anxietyOld dogsWaterRottweilerPandemicValentine's DayPetfinder.com

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • Balancing cleanliness and canine comfort: The ultimate guide for dog owners
    Balancing cleanliness and canine comfort is crucial for the well-being of your pet. This guide is for you if you want to achieve this balance. […]
  • The importance of a balanced diet for dogs: Why and how you should care
    Feed your dog a balanced diet with the right mix of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Ensure they get the right amounts to stay healthy. […]
  • Use 5 factors to choose the best veterinarian for your dog
    Research thoroughly and consider location, services, experience, cost, and staff before choosing the right vet for your dog. […]
  • Fight insomnia: 12 tips to help your dog get good sleep
    The most common cause of canine insomnia is pent-up energy. Help your dog sleep all night by ensuring it gets enough exercise. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2023 DogsBestLife.com online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.