01/15/2026
Dogs can learn words by eavesdropping!
A new study published on January 8th issue of the journal Science, researchers have discovered that, much like little kids, dog’s may be able to listen into human conversations and learn the names of new toys that way.
The sample consisted of 10 Gifted Word Learner (GWL) dogs that were shown new toys with their owner naming the item. Then, the person would discuss the toy’s name with another person and not directly with the dog. Lastly, the toy was placed in a different room and the dogs were asked to fetch the toy by name.
Seven out of ten of these dogs were able to fetch the toy by name, and there was no trouble fetching a toy where the name they had been directly told and one they just overheard.
Do you think your dog eavesdrops on you, and do you think they learn things that way?
