I talk to my dogs.

They correct my grammar.

Rylee listens intently and never interrupts.

Absolutely. I expect I spend more time talking to my dogs than I do talking to people, and prefer it that way.

I've also been known to talk to the cows and calves while feeding them through the winter.

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:
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.

100% however; I still find myself talking to the dogs is a more formal manner.

For example; we have a Malamute "puppy" (seven months old and 80 pound 'puppy') will get called "Remington" when sometimes and "Knucklehead" other times. He seems to know when he hears "Knucklehead" he's doing something which will result in me playing with him (ie, chasing him).

Other time, with the Brittany, it'll be, "hey Ruger, how you doing? Are you ready to let Remmy play with you some more?"

quote:

Originally posted by sns3guppy:
I talk to my dogs.

They correct my grammar.

Remington talks back when he gets frustrated, sassy, playful, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by Snapping Twig:
Absolutely.

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

I routinely talk to my dogs as intellectual peers - I even ask them questions, even though I don't expect an answer. . .

They are a lot smarter than most people give them credit for, IMO.

My goldendoodle is smarter than a lot of people. Sure, I talk to him and he listens. His tail tells me if he agrees with what I say.

My late Border Collie certainly "understood" what we were saying. It didn't seem like it was because of repetition, we'd be talking to each other and she'd have reactions. Now I have a Boderdoodle, 8 months old, she's showing the same intuition, watches as I talk to her and has picked up certain words and phrases.

quote:

Originally posted by NavyGuy:
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.

This.

Most of the extra words are just noise to the animals.

My Chihuahua is bilingual . He speaks better Spanish than I do .

Yes. Mine understands sentences.

"C'mon Bud, let's go feed the ponies" means "up, off your ass, out the door to the barn, we got stuff to do."

And "C'mon Bud, let's go home. Time for a cookie" means "up, off your ass, head for the house, get a snack."

quote:

Originally posted by Gene Hillman:
I talk to my cat. Does that count?

I don't know, but I talk to all of my cats. Being cats, they don't listen, of course.

flashguy

Only if they talk to me first. They have me well trained.

After you deal the cards and they're reading their hands, watch their tails.

Dogs suck at bluffing.

quote:

Originally posted by ArtieS:
Yes. Mine understands sentences.

"C'mon Bud, let's go feed the ponies" means "up, off your ass, out the door to the barn, we got stuff to do."

And "C'mon Bud, let's go home. Time for a cookie" means "up, off your ass, head for the house, get a snack."

My Malamute understands the following:

"Remmy, get in here" = run to other side of the yard

"Remmy, sit" = run to other side of the yard

"Remmy, leave me alone" = sit in my lap no matter how much I push you away

"Remmy, eat your food" = what ever you do, leave your bowl alone and see what is the other dogs' bowls.

etc

Our mini dachshund, Hutton, who doesn't like anyone except for the grandkids.

She barks, growls and bites everything, including Yotes.

I called her an asshole, she smiled.

I tell her "nice job" for protecting the grandkids, she smiles.

Damn dog is smarter than I am.

I was just talking about this with one of my customers the other day.
He came into the office and heard me from down the hall talking to someone about a shipping issue I was having with a vendor. He thought I was on the phone because he said he didn't hear anyone responding even though it sounded like a back and forth conversation. "Yeah I know.....I told him that....you're right, I should give them a call and see where that is..." and such.
I heard him walking around by the lobby and invited him back to my office and when he came in he said he was sorry he interrupted my call. I was at a loss and said no worries and that I wasn't on the phone. He asked "well who the hell were you talking to then?"
I started laughing my guts up and pointed to the corner behind him.

Absolutely...The scary part is the sometimes when spelling words (even spelling backwards) did not work. Beagle / rat terrier pound rescue. ................................. drill sgt.

My son's dog comes to visit often. I'll tell him to "lay down on your bed," or "do you want a treat," or "let's go outside."

I strongly suspect he is reacting to "bed," "treat," and "outside," but I still use a complete sentence.

Talking to your pets, much like talking to yourself, is the best way to get intelligent conversation.