Do dogs understand english?

Question

My dog seems to understand everything I tell him to do - even if I use a different tone or command - he must understand english and be super intelligent.

Answer 1

Most dogs can learn a "vocabulary" of about 200 words and/or phrases. It sounds like you trained your dogs like I did. I never used traditional commands, I just 'talk' to them. "Please" means 'pay attention', "excuse me" means "move". "Where's _____?" means 'fetch _____", and so on. So because I use complete sentences or phrases, my dogs APPEAR to be smarter than most dogs, but they really aren't. I just maximize theit use of the intelligence they have.

Answer 2

Dogs understand tone and body language. According to documentaries I've seen and books I've read, they can detect eye movements as little as 1/8". And they are by nature extremely interested in what people do - unlike wolves and other wild canids. They easily make connections between objects or actions and a particular sound. That sound could be a word in any language, real or made up. If you ask your dog if it wants to go for a "glombreck" every time you attach his leash to his collar, he'll quickly learn that glombreck means walk. If you want to do an experiment that is both interesting and useful, teach your dog hand signals. If your dog lives long enough, she's likely to lose at least SOME of her sight and/or hearing. So make up a different hand signal to go with each of the words/commands she understands and see how long it takes for her to catch on. For example, hold your right arm over your head when you command her to lie down. Do that for a few days, then try just the motion, no word. I use a thumbs up, smmiling and waggling my hand back and forth, to mean "good", and a frowning thumbs down for "no". If your dog goes out at night on her own, combine a flashing porch light with calling her back in, so if she goes deaf she will know to come inside. Vibration can be used, too - rap a broom handle on the ground or floor.

Answer 3

Well my Amber must understand English cause she always does as she is told, if you tell her to go get a drink of water she does, if you tell her to bring her lead she does, if you say wanna go to the moors for a run she runs to the door, so either she is psychic and knows what I am going to say before hand or she does understand English, all these people who say dogs just understand the usual things by the tone of your voice are talking rubbish, try saying something you have never said to your dog before and see what he does and I bet you will be surprised.

Answer 4

Dogs understand whatever then native language is that the owner uses. Owing a pet, you should know this if you would have done the proper research. Dogs are generally very smart animals and fast learners when their owners are consistent. So in short, yes, dogs do understand English.

Answer 5

I think they understand more than we give them credit for!! My dog understands loads, and still listens and pretends to be interested even when I'm just waffling!!! He is much better company than my husband!!

If I throw his ball in the field and he can't find it, he looks at me for directions and I can point to the area and he will look for it where I am pointing. I then shout left a bit or right a bit and he gets the idea, mostly!! Sometimes he gets a bit excited though and just runs around in circles!!!

My old dog used to come to the front door when he was playing in the garden, and if it was shut you could say to him "go round the side" or "go round the back" and he would trundle off. He would always get the right door!

Answer 6

no dogs are just extremely intelligent, and understands your tone of voice, even if you think you you use a different tone! Plus, they can understand your thoughts and feelings. But you obviously have a very obedient dog!

Answer 7

I know that some police dogs that the Sheffield force have taken on do NOT understand English, having come in from Eastern Europe - apparantly their handlers have had to learn the commands in Polish.

Answer 8

It seems to me that dog are like people and understand whatever language they are brought up with.
When I am in France, I'll speak in French to my dog, and it will obey; when in Great Britain, I speak in English to whatever dog I am dealing with in English.
I suppose if I had brought my dog with me, I would speak to it in French, however, like foreigners in a foreign country, my dog would get used to hear some commands and like children, either after being shouted at many times or given praised for obeying, I am sure it would eventually also follow any orders in the language spoken to it.

Answer 9

Well, "understand" is a bit strong.

You are giving commands that he recognizes. If you were to try to converse with him about politics, he wouldn't have a clue.

Yes, I've known some really smart dogs, that pick up on your meaning right away. My guess is it's a shepherd or other working dog, as they're bred to obey.

Answer 10

Dogs like many animals, and some multi-talented humans...understand body language. The tone or volume level of your voice will convey different messages. Psychic communication is also possible...should you and your pooch evolve to this level. Watch behavior between dogs, and you will learn the answer to your question.

Answer 11

Pay close attention to Cesar. He never utters a word with working with dogs. Catch the Dog Whisperer on National Geographic Channel. He's magic.