To help your dog understand you, try speaking more slowly

Humans speak at an average of four syllables per second, while dogs emit two vocalisations per second

We’ve all probably already spoken to a dog in this way, and it’s perfectly normal. A study published in the journal PLOS Biology claims that humans unconsciously modify their speech rate when they address their four-legged friends.

Franco-Swiss research team investigates human-dog communication

A research team from France and Switzerland investigated how humans and dogs communicate in an experiment involving 27 volunteers and 30 canines. The researchers analyzed the brain responses of the participants when they addressed other humans or dogs across five different languages.

Humans slow down their speech rate when speaking to dogs

At the same time, they studied the vocalisations produced by the dogs to understand how they communicate with their fellow dogs, as well as with other species. It turns out that humans speak much faster than dogs do. People speak at an average of four syllables per second, while our four-legged friends emit two vocalisations per second. However, the experts noticed that when a human speaks to a dog, they talk at a rate of three syllables per second. In other words, humans slow down their speech rate to come closer to that of the canines.

Dogs react strongly to human speech rate

Dogs seem to be very receptive to this change of pace: their brains react strongly to delta waves, the slow, high-amplitude waves humans emit when they’re fast asleep. “Humans who speak to their dogs adopt a speech rate that differs from adult-directed speech and more closely aligns with the dog’s neural delta oscillatory capacity,” the researchers write in their paper.

Slow speech isn’t just about tone

So, to make yourself understood by dogs, it’s probably best to speak slowly. That said, it’s not a question of just saying everything and anything in a slow voice: research suggests that dogs pay attention not only to the musicality of what we say, but also to its meaning.

Dogs understand word meanings

In a study published in the journal Current Biology, scientists in Hungary claim that dogs know that certain words refer to specific objects. This ability is common to all dogs, not just a few rare “superdogs” like Rico, a German border collie capable of recognising 250 toys when his name is spoken.

Conclusion

To help your dog understand you, it’s recommended to speak slowly and clearly, with careful attention to the meaning of your words. By doing so, you can build a stronger bond with your furry friend and improve your ability to communicate with them.

FAQs

* How fast do humans speak when addressing dogs?
+ On average, humans speak at a rate of three syllables per second when addressing dogs.
* How fast do dogs emit vocalisations?
+ Dogs emit two vocalisations per second.
* Why do humans slow down their speech rate when speaking to dogs?
+ Humans unconsciously modify their speech rate to come closer to the dog’s neural delta oscillatory capacity.
* Do dogs understand word meanings?
+ Yes, dogs know that certain words refer to specific objects. This ability is common to all dogs.