Your furry friend might already be your closest companion, but adjusting the way you communicate with them can strengthen your bond even more. Recent research has found that dogs can better understand human speech when it aligns with their slower vocalization pace.
Chances are, you are already speaking to your dog at a slower pace than you would to a human friend. Researchers at the University of Geneva in Switzerland suggest that this natural cadence adjustment in communicating with dogs could be enhanced for an even stronger connection. Learn more about this study on building a closer bond with your pup.
“This study is quite fascinating as it sheds light on the changes that occur when humans communicate with dogs,” remarked Dr. Nancy Dreschel, an associate professor at Pennsylvania State University in the US, who was not involved in the research. BBC Science Focus.
“What stands out to me is that not only our tone of voice adjusts, but also the speed and rhythm of our speech patterns.”
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Published in PLOS Biology magazine, the study analyzed the vocalizations of 30 dogs and 27 humans across various languages when conversing with each other. The researchers then compared the sounds of 22 humans in the same language when communicating with their dogs.
Using electroencephalography (EEG), which measures brain activity, the researchers evaluated how humans and dogs respond to speech sounds.
The study found that humans generally speak at a faster rate than dogs, with an average of four syllables per second in human speech compared to about two vocalizations per second in canine sounds like barking, whining, growling, and meowing.
EEG data revealed that dogs process longer, slower rhythms in human speech, including sentence structure, intonation, and pauses, categorized as delta rhythms. Conversely, humans focus more on theta rhythms, the faster elements in speech such as individual words and syllables, rather than the overall sentence sounds.
While both delta and theta rhythms are vital for human speech comprehension, dogs may have difficulty grasping the intended meaning of our sentences if we do not adjust our communication style to suit their auditory sensitivity.
“These communication nuances likely stem from a long history of domestication and evolution shared between humans and dogs,” Dreschel noted.
“When interacting with dogs, whether during training or casual conversation, it’s beneficial to slow down, simplify your speech, and acknowledge that they interpret information differently. Remember, they are dogs, and they are doing their best to understand us. It’s always helpful to keep this in mind.”
About our experts
Dr. Nancy Dreschel is an associate professor in the Department of Animal Science at Pennsylvania State University. Her research has been published in journals such as Humans and Animals: An International Journal of Research and Practice, Traumatic Stress Journal, and Frontiers of Veterinary Medicine.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
