Man Bites Dog...

[133724]

Dogs can talk to humans, researcher says

Hamburg- Several dog species have learned to communicate
with humans via an increasing spectrum of barking sounds, according
to a leading German animal researcher.
"Some of the more modern dog species like the terrier and sheep
dog have a wide barking spectrum which is intended as a means of
communication with man," says Dr Dorit Feddersen-Petersen from the
Zoological Institute at the University of Kiel.

Quoted in the latest issue of the German magazine "dogs", the
researcher said that canines had learned many nuances of
communication during the 14,000 years they had lived with humans.

<snip>

"Vocal sounds are more impressive than the body signals used by
the wolf," the researcher says. "'Give me food!', expressed in
barking language is clearer than just pointing the nose. But both
signals really work".

A high-pitched barking coupled with tail wagging and the paws
pressed to the ground mean, "Play with me!" On the other hand a deep
bark with upright tail and hair on end says, "Stay away from me or
else!"

http://rawstory.com/news/dpa/Dogs_can_talk_to_humans_researcher__03142007.html

I don't know about this I am a Cat person....

And I know my cat can talk to me..... I've heard him....

[Truthiness Inspector]

1. I believe this

I can definitely tell when my dogs bark because there is a perceived threat, they want my attention, or if they are playing with each other, etc.

[robinlynne]

2. of course! (and my dog is deaf.)

[Hepburn]

3. I have a Scottish Terrier...

...and she is the dang smartest dog I have EVER had. I have had a ton of Scotties over my life ~~ and this one is by far the smartest. She even recognizes the theme music from the videos she likes and comes running. Scotties are generally a very bright dog ~~ but this one amazes me. She will sit on my lap and watch the Scottie Screen saver I made for her ~~ and she picks out the black scotties from the wheaten ones. Unbelievable!

She def has distinctive barks ~~ or in the case of Scotties, their "talking" is called a Scottie Ah-roo. And I can tell EXACTLY what it is she wants. When she barks, it is real clear if it is a "hello" bark to someone, an "I see another animal in my yard" bark, etc. She recognizes dozens of words, including names of people we see, the names of their dogs, and the standard stuff like "cookie." She even recognizes things like when I say to her, "want some ice cream..." and she goes and sits in front of the refrig. Ask her to get a certain toy by name...and she goes and gets it.

She is only 18 months old and she does quite a few tricks ~~ probably more if I worked with her. But she has some neat ones. She can give a "high five" if you tell her to, and she does this differently than if you ask her to "shake hands." Tell her to "talk" and she does an "ah-roo" tell her to "speak" and she "barks."

She also has a trick of shaking her head, ears down, butt up in the air and with a low growl, backing away from something she does NOT like. BTW: That is why as a long-time Scottie lover I KNOW that Barnie cannot stand that azzhole Bush. His body language says it all. That "back up butt in the air, head down and ears back" Scottie behavior is real in-bred in Scotties. They let you know IMMEDIATELY when they do NOT like someone or something. And, boy, from what I have seen of Barney, he does NOT like Bush. Well, does anyone blame him?

I can tell ya one thing....that Scottie in the WH, Barney, is a hell of a lot smarter than his owner. But that is probably not saying that much.

Thanks for letting me go on about my doggie ~~ she is a total love and so much fun to have around. A true boon companion.

Her is my little Maggie wearing her fav shirt:

[majorjohn]

4. random question

Nice dog, but isn't it bad to feed dogs ice-cream? I thought I heard that somewhere, but not sure why. I'm only asking because in your post, you mentioned asking your dog if she wanted ice-cream.

[Hepburn]

8. She gets ice cream made for dogs. n/t

[Swamp Rat]

5. So, what is Karl Rove saying here?:

:D

[ends_dont_justify]

6. -.-

on edit: changed for attitude. Jack daniel's is a poor representitive, though I just can't seem to fire him ;)

I wish they would remember wolves and dogs are of the same bloodline: rather than compare the two, it should be noted that both are capable of complexities and perhaps, make motions to understand wolves as well and stop the onslaught of them. This article proves they as other animals CAN protest their death.

[ConsAreLiars]

7. Absolutely.

Not all dogs or breeds equally, I assume, but the current dog-in-my-life is a street foundling American Staffordshire Terrier (the vet says) that is absolutely the smartest, most communicative (and sweet and gentle and compassionate, but that's wandering a bit) dog I have known.

A wide range of very distinctive "words." Low "woof" means "look there, there's something odd and maybe dangerous." Could be anything from a car hood in the bed of a truck or a man on a house, or a unusual sound or sight in the forest. Higher pitched and louder "WOOF!" means "Do Me Now! (pet, feed, throw something)." A sharp "Arf!" is a reprimand - "You threw that puny twig into the lake instead of a tree branch? No Good!). A barely audible whine means "How slow are you humans? Finish eating, or let's just do it now, already." A low near-growl means "I need some physical affection."

Not sure if this is evidence of for the researcher's theory that this adaptation is breed specific, but it is sure true that some dogs are very expressive verbal communicators. Seems that pack hunters like terriers would be particularly likely to use verbal signals in their work and society. For example, the "No!" Arf reprimand is also heard when this dog intervenes in situations when puppies get too rowdy in their play, But the low growl-moan/pet-me-hug-me-rub-my-belly sound is one that seems like it might be more human-dog specific.