Zeus, Apollo, patrol!

We had a terror terrier who easily understood a normal question - "Do you want to go out the door backwards?"

Shakespear knew he needed his anal glands squeezed out. So yes he was ready to go. Out we went.

Dad was a veterinarian.

Here is Dad and Shakespear


Another word spoken normally (in the evening only) was "supper". If Shakespear, Suzie, and Peano heard it they, rushed to the chow line, all tails and elbows eager

I talk to my dogs often in a normal (for humans) conversational tone. Sometimes they look at me and it seems like they're actually listening. There are, of course some words that they definitely understand. "Wanna go for a walk?" always provokes an enthusiastic response, bolting for the front door and sitting there quivering in excitement. "Wanna go for a ride?" Same reaction. I'm not really sure whether the actual trigger word is "walk"/"ride", or "go".

Our dogs are fluent in English and Japanese. It's not by choice, they have to be.

We have discourse in both languages, oftentimes intermixing words from both.

Therefore, we know they are paying attention.

Their grammar and enunciation are impeccable

I have a 3 YO Borzoi, I talk to him in full sentences, he completely understands and most of the time he agrees with me.

Of course. This little boy understands so much!
Mom, put your computer away! It's time for my run.

I want some of your key lime pie.

This does not go in your Jeep. I am the only GSP that goes in your Jeep!

quote:

Originally posted by Expert308:
I talk to my dogs often in a normal (for humans) conversational tone. Sometimes they look at me and it seems like they're actually listening. There are, of course some words that they definitely understand. "Wanna go for a walk?" always provokes an enthusiastic response, bolting for the front door and sitting there quivering in excitement. "Wanna go for a ride?" Same reaction. I'm not really sure whether the actual trigger word is "walk"/"ride", or "go".

Excellent. Pretty much the same with our pup, except "ride in the truck/car" results in such an over the top response of anticipated joy that I dare not say that if not prepared to go for a drive.

One of my Australian Cattle Dogs was trained with body language and hand gestures. Only audible commands used were her name and an "ehh, ehh" sound for no. No sounds too much like other words and gets used way too much in normal conversation so I always use another sound for that.

She more easily identified how many fingers I was pointing with, between 1-4, if I was palm up, palm down, if my eyebrows were raised or if I was relaxed. When I didn't break eye contact she immediately knew she was in trouble and needed to stop whatever she was doing. Knew to stop when I ended my stride on the foot closest to her.

It's therapeutic talking to a dog I agree, I'd never argue that, but I found it therapeutic being able to communicate with her that way, I'm not sure every breed would be suited for that, but I appreciated how smart she was without ever saying a word. Seemed to work better for me.

I'll definitely use the method for my future ACDs.

quote:

Originally posted by sns3guppy:
I talk to my dogs.
They correct my grammar.

You've got me beat.
My dogs understand me... but only my wife corrects my grammar.

Of course I talk to my dog. She's pushing 10 and loves Hopalong Cassidy (Hoppy), Trigger, lunch, supper and treats, though not necessarily in that order.

She fully understands "Do you want to take a bath?" and departs my vicinity immediately. She sure understands, "Wanna go for a ride?" and slips away since she thinks that means a ride to the Vet or to get groomed, things she hates.

I can't imagine not talking to her and asking her opinion.

Bob

Just mention "fingernails" and Spunky would disappear.

never had a dog, but I talk to other peoples dogs like they are a person,


same with my cats, and the ferret we once had, just talk normally,

granted, the cats, depending on which one, will meow back, or just give you that 'stupid human' look,

My wife's cat talks a lot. I rarely hear her (the cat) because it's always at a very low volume and I usually don't have my hearing aids in when I'm home.

You wouldn’t believe how much our lab understands. She still learns stuff even though she is older. Far too much.

Not a dog but Cici, a 9 year old goffins cockatoo, absolutely understands spoken context and can use language to describe what she wants too.
She has learned to put together words from different phrases now.

Just the other day she assembled the phrase "Daddy is in the kitchen" when I was making dinner.
And when I served it, she'll say "time for din din".
She will tell you "time to go nite nite" or "wanna do nite nite"

And her favorite word for an action, "Scratch".
And she will force her head under your hand for a scratch.

She knows the word for toy and will use it to describe any object I give her.