for example; I've dogs (Brittanys specifically) in my life the last 24 year and I inevitably find myself talking to them like they might three or four years-old. Rather adavanced for a Brittany I know but that topic deviates from the question.

As in..., verbally and with body language, you talk to your doglike they [might] understand?, etc.

I find sometimes they respond well to the inclusion.

Of course, how else can I answer their questions?
Yes, I lose arguments with them too.

Absolutely.

I think the real question is - who doesn't?

Nah, we’re well past 3. I expect them to get all the nuances I throw at my 9 yr old. Like it or not, they’re growing up with him and get all the advanced communication skills I’ve got

My birds, however, they get the baby talk..

And there are times he actually understands.

I don't believe dogs understand speech, they have no idea you're trying to communicate that way, they simply hear a noise they have associated with a certain activity, sure they learn commands, but to them it would be no different than learning using sign language. It's simply repetition. I think dogs learn 99% from body language.

I do talk to my dogs, not an owner presently, but like most people that's simply for me, it does nothing for my dog. My tone and body language however, they read it like a book.

Absolutely and I believe they comprehend speech beyond simply learned behavior. Of course, there are times I don't speak and my Golden still understands.

As stated several times on this Forum, it's when my dog gives sign(s) that she doesn't trust something/someone - that's when my radar goes to eleven and I become hyper vigilant.

I thank God everyday for his infinite wisdom in creating Man's best friend.

Absolutely, my pups are great listeners.

Talking to my dumbass dog is akin to talking to a brick wall…I think he does it on purpose

I talk to my cat. Does that count?

We have had a Golden since 1975 and I have talked to each of them.

 
We talk to all of our dogs, but most especially the totally deaf one. She reads our body language and facial expressions, and gets what we are saying. We decided early on when she joined us (rescue) to just talk normally to her, and it is amazing how much she picks up. And yes, just normal conversational syntax.

Absolutely. I far prefer it over the conversations I have to have with many of the humans I deal with daily.

quote:

She reads our body language and facial expressions, and gets what we are saying. We decided early on when she joined us (rescue) to just talk normally to her, and it is amazing how much she picks up. And yes, just normal conversational syntax.

Same here. Yes, tone body language are important but Ava (the dog) understands most of what I say.

We are currently without a dog. However, when I had dogs every day after work I would walk in and sit down with the pup for "quality time". We would talk and the pup would get pets. Pretty sure we both liked it.

Everyday.
I rescued my current dog in 2016 and he is part of the family now. Daughter has moved out and now it's him and me.
Its amazing sometimes that dogs know what you're saying and how you're feeling.
3 weeks ago, I had a procedure done on my left leg and had to be driven there and back home. When I got home, he instantly knew and barely left my side. Could not go upstairs to my bedroom so I was confined to downstairs and the couch. Right there with me.
Other times, he's my grilling/smoking partner and sits outside with me while I cook. I'll just talk to him and he pretty much gets what I'm saying. Hate to say it but I prefer talking to him than most people.

I talk to our cats, if that counts. I'm pretty sure they're just humoring me tho.

Yes. Their understanding is somewhat based on the breed, I think. Our dobbie not only understood a lot of what was said, but you could see him “calculating” whatever advantage he could make out of the conversations. He was scary smart. We had a beagle who was just about as smart. The rest have been to varying degrees in between 3-4 year old smart to scary smart.

Yep, it all comes down to the particular dog's vocabulary. For instance, I can look at our 9 month old Cav and say, " Cooper (which get's his attention) do you want to sit on the couch and watch TV with me?" He jumps on the couch and waits for me to sit by him. Or I could simply say "Cooper, couch, TV" and get pretty much the same response. It's a lot more fun to talk in full sentences as it usually result in head cocking which makes us believe he understands each and every word. Also a lot has to do with your tone and body language. Dogs are great.

I no longer have a dog, but when I did, I talked to it just like I talk to my cats. The only difference was that the dog was more responsive. The cats look at you like, who gave you permission to speak to me? When I was pissed at them though, they all had enough sense to head for tall timber.