Dogs that understand and speak using buzzers: myth or reality?

Sound buttons (buzzers) allowing dogs to express themselves and have a true conversation? The idea is fascinating. Viral videos have shown dogs "talking" using these devices. But is it real communication or just a conditioned response?

New insight comes from a study by the University of California, San Diego, published in PLOS ONE.

This research indicates that dogs trained to use sound buttons genuinely understand certain words. Contrary to what one might think, these animals don't merely read their owners' body cues.



Led by Federico Rossano, this study is the first to emerge from the world's largest longitudinal project on pet training with buttons. Federico Rossano emphasizes the importance of this research in understanding interspecies communication.

The results show that dogs respond correctly to words like "play" or "outside," whether spoken or activated by a button. Most surprisingly, the responses are the same whether the button is pressed by the owner or someone else.

This finding dispels doubts about dogs' ability to understand words and not just gestures. Federico Rossano highlights that these results demonstrate that words have inherent meaning for dogs, beyond simple signals.

The study relied on two experiments: one conducted directly in the homes of 30 dogs, the other based on citizen science, where owners themselves tested their animals under remote supervision.

With a pre-registered and transparent methodology, the researchers ensured the scientific rigor of the study, thus avoiding common biases in research. This process, on the rise in cognitive sciences, aims to strengthen data integrity.



For Federico Rossano, this is just the beginning. Further studies will explore the active use of buttons by dogs, notably the meaning of sequences of presses. This research highlights the importance of studying animals in their natural environment for a more authentic understanding of their capabilities.

The research was conducted in collaboration with institutions such as the University of St. Andrews, UC Davis, and the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna. Data collection took place in 2022, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to the participation of citizen scientists.