These clever dogs rival toddlers when it comes to learning words

[douglas9]

In many households, it’s a forbidden four-letter word. It can’t be uttered aloud, only spelled, so those within earshot don’t get too worked up.

“Can you take the dog for a W-A-L-K?”

Many dog owners know their pets excel at learning words such as “walk,” “sit,” “stay” and even their own names. But researchers have discovered the word-acquisition ability of certain canines can rival that of toddlers.

A study published in the journal Science on Thursday found that some dogs can learn words simply by overhearing conversations, even when the pets are not directly addressed, an ability humans begin to acquire at about 18 months old.

“This can really give us more appreciation to how exceptional dogs can be,” said lead author Shany Dror, a comparative cognition researcher at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna and Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2026/01/08/dogs-learn-words-study/

[EverHopeful]

1. Once just answered that I'd left something in the car

and my Shanah (who had been in another room) got so excited and was dancing at the door that, obviously, I had to take her out for a car ride

[70sEraVet]

2. We had a small mutt that was WILD about tennis balls

I set a mirror on the floor leaning against the wall, and sat down facing the mirror with the dog in front of me, also facing the mirror. Suddenly I pulled a tennis ball out from behind me, so the dog could see it in the mirror. The dog IMMEDIATELY turned around to grab the tennis ball! The dog thoroughly understood that it was seeing a reflection.
The odd part is, after I stood up, the dog set the tennis ball down in front of the mirror, then took a quick look BEHIND the mirror. Was he just checking, to be sure there wasn't really another ball back there? Or was he thinking "How DOES that thing work?"

[Phoenix61]

3. I had a cat, Spot, who could count and another, CJ, that apparently picked it up watching him.

When Spot acted like he wanted me to open the door to go on the front porch he’d do that cat thing…yes…no…yes..no.. so I started counting to 3. I’d open the door then count one…two…three then shut the door . One he’d walk slow… two picking up speed.. three for the sprint. When he passed I quit doing that not realizing his shadow, CJ, had learned those words too…until the other day. Too funny to watch CJ sprint on three.🤣