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Can Soundboards Help Dogs Speak to Us? New Study Explores This Fascinating Possibility

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Rithani

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4 min read

30 Aug, 2024

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Is your social media filled with videos of dogs and humans communicating through soundboards? If yes, you are not alone.


This topic has piqued the curiosity and interest of many. Researchers are now exploring whether canines can use these push-button devices to understand and respond to pre-recorded words.


A recent study suggests that dogs trained to use soundboards react similarly to recorded words as they do to spoken words.


The study, led by researchers at the University of California San Diego, marks a significant initial step in understanding how dogs process soundboard words.


Image Source: Pexels


The use of push-button soundboards has gained significant attention on social media, where videos of dogs using these devices have gone viral.


However, there has been ongoing debate about this. People are not sure whether dogs are responding to the audio from the devices or if they are responding to cues from their owners.


To investigate, researchers conducted two experiments with 59 trained dogs. In the first experiment, a researcher pressed buttons on a soundboard that were pre-recorded with words like "out," "play," and "food'. While another researcher, who did not know which buttons were pressed, observed the dogs' reactions.


The second experiment involved dog owners pressing the buttons or saying the words themselves to see if the dogs responded similarly.


The results showed that dogs were more likely to exhibit play-related behaviors when the "play/toy" button was pressed. They also responded similarly to the "out/outside" button. However, dogs did not show a significant increase in food-related behaviors when the corresponding button was used.


These findings remained consistent regardless of who pressed the buttons. The results were also unaffected by whether the words were spoken by the owner.


Image Source: Pexels


The study's authors are now looking into whether dogs can press the correct button in specific situations.


This research could further reveal the extent of dogs' word comprehension. It could also understand whether push-button devices can facilitate communication between dogs and humans.


Some experts believe the findings are just a starting point. They note that more research is needed to determine the true capabilities of dogs in understanding words through these devices.


The study has laid the groundwork for future research on this topic. Many in the scientific and the pet lovers community are eager to see what further studies will reveal.


You can read the study here.


ALSO READ | Shocking Foods You Should Never Feed Your Dog—Number 4 Will Surprise You!

Conclusion

The study shows that dogs respond to push-button soundboards like spoken words. The study also found that dogs aren't just reacting to cues. More research is needed to explore the potential for communication using push-button soundboards.

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