Does a Dog Really Know Its Name? A Surprising Insight!
Certainly! Here's the revised version of the text with enhanced clarity, precision, and a more engaging, humanized tone:
Now, the question arises: Do dogs really know their own names? To understand this, we must start from the beginning.
Words = Commands
Some dogs can remember at least 200 words, such as Border Collies.
Unfortunately, dogs do not understand the true meanings of each word. For instance, an untrained dog might be confused if you call it "dinner" before its evening meal, while your partner calls it "supper." The dog is perplexed because it doesn't know which word signifies the evening feeding time.
However, if both of you consistently say "supper," the dog will start to anticipate the meal each evening at that time, even if you're planning to starve it for the night. It might try to please you or sit up straight, just to be ready for the meal.
Why does this happen? There are several reasons:
1. Consistency
When all family members use the same words, it becomes easier for dogs to remember them. That's why it's important to maintain consistency, whether you're rewarding or disciplining your dog. Of course, if you prefer a wellbehaved dog, this advice is for you!
2. Word Usage
While dogs don't know the true meanings of words, they can analyze the behavior associated with them and draw conclusions. Therefore, using the right words is very effective.
In an Englishspeaking environment, dogs are more likely to remember words with harder sounds, such as T, R, and P. Words with softer sounds, like S, F, and Z, are harder for them to remember. This is because Chinese is much more complex than English, so many dog trainers opt for shorter, simpler words for training and naming, which makes it easier for dogs to memorize.
This is why more and more people in China are saying "NO" instead of "不" (meaning "no" in Chinese) to their dogs. The harder sound of "NO" is easier for dogs to remember.
Dog Names
Understanding the above, the next part is quite straightforward.
We all know that dogs don't understand the meanings of words, but they can respond to them through association. So, when you want to improve your training efficiency, try changing your word usage.
How do you change it? Simply!
Take a dog named "Bai Bai" as an example. When you want to call it, most people would say, "Bai Bai, come here!" Some women might even say, "Bai Bai, my darling, come here for a hug!"
But dogs don't understand phrases like "come here" or "come here for a hug." They only know that when they hear the word "Bai Bai," they should quickly go to the person calling them.
So next time, when you want to call your dog over, just use its name. Dogs remember simple, short words more vividly, whether it's their name or training commands.
So, how long does it take for a dog to remember its name?
Under the right conditions, a dog will usually remember its name in about two weeks. This period is shorter for puppies and slightly longer for adult dogs.
Now, another question arises:
Are there any other tips?
Using a highpitched, loud voice may excite a dog, even though it doesn't understand what you're saying. Conversely, a lowpitched, soft voice might scare it. Why? Because dogs remember the volume and pitch of your voice, and they combine that with your expression to predict what will happen next.
Therefore, simple words combined with appropriate volume and pitch are the keys to successful dog training.
Let's say someone calls you "come eat feces" during dinner. You'd likely think the person is either crazy or trying to provoke you. But if a dog hears the word "eat feces" every evening during dinner, it will eventually learn that "eat feces" means dinner, without understanding the word's true meaning.
So, while dogs may not grasp the literal meanings of words, they can analyze the behaviors associated with them through their unique associative thinking.