Reply #7: they understand more than we think [View All]

[pokerfan]

and they are very adept at plucking the words that they do understand out of entire conversations.

Among humans, there are four types of vocabulary: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Listening and reading typically outstrip speaking and writing. With other animals (vocal chords unsuited for spoken words) and no ability to write, this is even more so. I did have a dog once who I am convinced would try to speak. It was completely unintelligible, of course. Sounded kind of like Scooby Do.

I would love to work my dogs into a frenzy with the simple question, "do you want to go for a walk?"