What does a name mean to the dog?

MakeShift Heart · 11-19-2009, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qingcong

Very interesting, and it goes to show that dogs understand our body language very well. All too often, I feel we misinterpret that and think that the dogs are understanding our words.

Considering I made no body language when calling to the dogs I'm not sure how this fits into what I just posted?

Oh and here's another good thing to point out.

Why would they come running when they hear their name but it's actually coming from a different voice on the TV/Computer?

Perfect example: My old toy poodle was named Sandy and when we would watch Flipper everytime he heard "Sandy" He would come running to say why he's being called. When he would discover we're just watching TV he would just go back to his bed and go to sleep.

qingcong · 11-19-2009, 10:34 PM

Are you sure you made no body language movements? Dogs are sensitive to millimeters of change. If it wasn't the body language they got, then are you suggesting they actually understand that they are a boxer and labrador?

A dog responding to their name from the TV or whatever does not surprise me. Certainly their name means something to them, like "go to whoever call it" or whatever.

MakeShift Heart · 11-19-2009, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qingcong

Are you sure you made no body language movements? Dogs are sensitive to millimeters of change. If it wasn't the body language they got, then are you suggesting they actually understand that they are a boxer and labrador?

Yes exactly. Also I'm pretty sure it's hard for them to see any movement coming from me when they are busy running the opposite direction from where I am standing, which is exactly what they were doing.

qingcong · 11-19-2009, 10:50 PM

Okay, that's a little ridiculous there. How in the world does a dog know the name of their breed? Unless they have been taught the word "boxer" or "labrador" before in some fashion, that's just way too far fetched. There is probably a more reasonable explanation for why they responded correctly.

Would a mixed breed have an identity crisis?

MakeShift Heart · 11-19-2009, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qingcong

Okay, that's a little ridiculous there. How in the world does a dog know the name of their breed? Unless they have been taught the word "boxer" or "labrador" before in some fashion, that's just way too far fetched. There is probably a more reasonable explanation for why they responded correctly.

I do know what the explanation is.

All dogs are with their owners when someone comes up and says, "Oh what a sweet dog what kind is he?"

The dog hears their master respond, "He is a boxer."

They then register that they are what they are.

TxRider · 11-19-2009, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qingcong

Very interesting, and it goes to show that dogs understand our body language very well. All too often, I feel we misinterpret that and think that the dogs are understanding our words.

Yes my 2 rescues do this a lot. I have to be very conscious about it.

qingcong · 11-19-2009, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakeShift Heart

I do know what the explanation is.

All dogs are with their owners when someone comes up and says, "Oh what a sweet dog what kind is he?"

The dog hears their master respond, "He is a boxer."

They then register that they are what they are.

Just out of curiosity, how old are you? You don't have to give me an exact age, a general description is fine - teenager, young adult, middle aged, senior, etc.

MakeShift Heart · 11-19-2009, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qingcong

Just out of curiosity, how old are you? You don't have to give me an exact age, a general description is fine - teenager, young adult, middle aged, senior, etc.

I am turning 22 in 4 days. Why do you ask?

On a quick note I hope you are not reading my tone as "know it all" or "snobby" or any form of negative. I'm merely just stating my experience with this and repeating what I was told as to why certain things happened.

qingcong · 11-20-2009, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakeShift Heart

I am turning 22 in 4 days. Why do you ask?

On a quick note I hope you are not reading my tone as "know it all" or "snobby" or any form of negative. I'm merely just stating my experience with this and repeating what I was told as to why certain things happened.

Nah, I'm not getting any negative vibes. In fact I feel like I was being more negative, and I'm about to get even more negative because you're about 22 and can handle it.

Do you really believe that dogs can understand the following conversation?

All dogs are with their owners when someone comes up and says, "Oh what a sweet dog what kind is he?"

The dog hears their master respond, "He is a boxer."

In order to understand that exchange, you're suggesting the dog has a command of English grammar; that the dog understands sentence structure, subject/verb placement, the difference between a question and a statement, the concept of a breed. There's no question dogs have a significant vocabulary, but they simply do not understand grammar. And quite often, their interpretation of a word is much different than ours.

MakeShift Heart · 11-20-2009, 09:57 AM

well then you explain why when I call "boxer" the boxer returns and the labrador continues to stare at the door he ran to.

RaeganW · 11-20-2009, 10:19 AM

Have you ever not know a person's name, but you need to talk to them and you're in a crowd? If you just call, "Hey, miss!" that could refer to probably about half the crowd. But usually (at least in my experience) the person you intend will turn around. Maybe it's kind of like that?

(Another fun thing to try in crowds, yell out, "Everybody clap your hands!" 9 times out of 10, at least SOMEONE will clapclapclapclap clapclapclap)

qingcong · 11-20-2009, 10:19 AM

I don't know, without being there it's hard to say. I'm sure there were a lot more things at play in the situation than just the words being said. If you were in that situation and 6/10 times the dogs responded correctly, I'd say that there's something to it. Otherwise, it was probably a coincidence.

MakeShift Heart · 11-20-2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qingcong

I don't know, without being there it's hard to say. I'm sure there were a lot more things at play in the situation than just the words being said. If you were in that situation and 6/10 times the dogs responded correctly, I'd say that there's something to it. Otherwise, it was probably a coincidence.

A good majority of the time every dog I've intended to return to me has. The only ones who didn't were the hyper puppies, probably because they hadn't heard it enough times yet.

TxRider · 11-20-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RaeganW

Have you ever not know a person's name, but you need to talk to them and you're in a crowd? If you just call, "Hey, miss!" that could refer to probably about half the crowd. But usually (at least in my experience) the person you intend will turn around. Maybe it's kind of like that?

Yes people turn around looking eye contact or something to indicate who you were addressing. If your looking at someone, everyone else will go back about their business, the one you made eye contact with will see what you want.