“Do Dogs Communicate with People?”
That’s the title of an article I came across last week as I was putting on my thinking cap for this month’s blog. My first thought was, “Duh, of course!” But then, as I got reading, I realized that maybe it’s PEOPLE that don’t understand US!
You know I love to research stuff on my Mom’s laptop… The studies I read came up with findings like
- 19 common “skills” that dogs use to communicate
- Dogs produced significantly more facial expressions when the human was oriented towards them, than when the human had her back turned to the dog.
- …sometimes the dogs were found to try different signals if their first go at telling their owner what they wanted wasn’t successful
- Dogs have been cohabiting with Humans for 30,000 years, half of that as “domesticated” partners
Really! Do our furry friend Humans not realize we’re talking to them?
Let’s have a discussion this month. We would like everyone – dogs, cats and people – to write your story.
I spoke to one of the researchers in the article at U. of Portsmouth. She didn’t believe me that she was “talking” to a dog. Shheesh! Or maybe she didn’t believe I would call her in the UK. Anyway, she wanted us to make sure we do this right.
So – here are the rules of the game – we need to hear from you about:
- Gestures, facial expressions and vocalizations by you Furry Friends need to be “referential”. That’s the scientific term for – you need to have a special action, woof or meow that gets the attention of your Human so that they know what you are asking for
- Those actions, woofs or meows must be something you use consistently to communicate with your Humans
- What kind of facial expressions do you use when you’re listening to your Human?
- Which kind of Human do you communicate best with, women or men?
Easy, right!?! See the Comments below from me and my friends that I’ve polled this week. Then, let us know here or on Facebook the things that you and your Humans talk about. Stuff like: How do you ask for a scratch, for food & water, to go out and to play? What else do you and your Human talk about?
Please help us by playing along! Thanks – We’ll let you know how it comes out next month.
With a Woof, Woof and a Meowww,
Your friends,
Buddy, Taylor & Mango
PS: Hmmm, I wonder if I should have applied for grant funding for this research?
And, HAPPY 4th of JULY!
We appreciate our military for keeping the vision by our Founding Fathers of Independence safe and thriving!
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When I want a walk, I stare with biggest my puppy eyes I can, and wag my tail and make noises until I finally get my evening walk! I also try to smile at my mom’s sister every time she comes over, so she’ll give me more pettings. In the mornings, I bark at everyone’s door to make sure they are up. (^_-)
Sometimes my Humans have a bunch of people over. I love it when my favorite neighbors come visit! I visit and chat with them all. But if I have to take a quick outdoors break, I find I have to give my Mom a little swat in the leg. She understands. My middle-boy Human and I also have a ‘morning cuddle’ routine I love. I think he understands me best. -Brandi
“I have a special bark for every situation. My Human neighbors love my Hello-bark. But I have a special Hello bark for my-Lisa when she comes to work.
I realized my Humans communicate by making sounds. While I’ve never been able to form their words, I can “huff.” My Mom understands most the time. I use that for snacks, water and when I REALLY have to go out. She also knows that when I make a squeaky sound before my huffs, I really REALLY have needs. If it’s a snack in the evening I want, I sometimes have to use my eyes and wiggle my ears too. She can’t resist that! I talk to my Mom & Dad both. My Mom listens better. -Max
One of my neighbors Katie, has this thing she does with her eyes to get her Human’s attention. Then she asks her question… Astro, a friend’s new kitty, loudly hisses when he’s hungry and if his owner is late with his dinner. My mom is never late with anything. She’s the bestest! -Buddy
Suzi told me when she has to go out, she runs back and forth to the back door and whines in a high pitch to let her humans know she needs to out NOW. I, on the other paw, sit on my mom’s foot to let her know I’m feeling scared. -Taylor