Can dogs actually understand word commands or do they just know their owner and what he or she wants?

Answer 1

I tried this with my dog. She was a springer spaniel and lived to be 14, then died of cancer. Her name was Starr. Now she could do a lot. Then I saw a special on TV about dogs. It really isn't the word, they will come to anything that sounds like their name. For instance, I tried it. I called her to see if this theory worked. I said things like dar, far mar. anything that sounded like her name and she came every time. Try it with your dog and see what happens

Answer 2

There is no way to really prove if dogs understand us because we can't talk to dogs. I believe they do as they get older and have been around us for a while, but mostly they are trained using certain commands. They have learned that these commands get them things they want so they do them. They may not understand exactly what the words mean, but they understand what they need to do through training.

Answer 3

According to an article on the Internet, dogs do understand some simple words and they will follow some commands without you looking at the dog, as long as the dog hears the words. As well they understands your activities. If you are putting your shoes on, your dog knows that it is time to go out for a walk and he/ she will come to you and wag his/ her tail wanting to go outside with you. And when you are getting dressed in th morning, he/she will look upset knowing that he/she will be alone for a while.

Answer 4

I think dogs can hear the minor variances in the words and tones their owners use to say commands. When I say 'sit' to my dog, I say it in a different tone then when I tell her to 'come'. I think she knows those sounds and can respond. Interestingly, she also has learned to associate hand signals with the commands, so I can get her to sit down or get off the couch without saying a word, so long as she is looking at me.

Answer 5

Dogs can understand commands. I had a boxer that knew his verbal commands for the basics like sit, down, stay, and roll over, and he also knew that hand signals for all those too! He was a great dog, and always willing to please. In most cases that is the way dogs are, they just want to please their owner so that will inspire the dog to do what the owner wants them to do.

Answer 6

Of course they don't understand the words themselves as we do. But they do recognize differences in tone and volume, different sounds.

Due to repetition, a dog is learned to do a specific task when a specific command is given. This takes training. Do something often enough and it becomes routine.

Answer 7

They do
Police dogs trained in GErmany understand commands in German. Watched the police talk in German for special command for the pets.
My old dog knew many phrases.

Answer 8

With word commands, and hand jestures, it is what we use to refer to in the Marine Corps as Muscle memory. It isn't that their leg muscles or their other muscles remember, more that the most important muscle, the brain remembers. If they hear a command long enough, and remember that it is usually followed by something good, like a treat or praise, then they will continue to do it.

Answer 9

The dog understrands what the word means and may obey the command from a different person.

Answer 10

Yes they can understand commands