Dogs may understand more about human speech than previously thought. A new study has found that canine brains process spoken language in a way that researchers had previously considered uniquely human.Scientists discovered that dogs can use consonants to break continuous streams of sounds into individual words, a process known as a “consonant bias”. Until now, this feature had been documented in humans and had not even been observed in primates, despite their closer evolutionary relationship to people.<h2>Dogs use consonants to identify words</h2>Researchers compared the brain responses of 20 humans and 20 companion dogs while they listened to speech. Their analysis, published in the journal Science, found that both species were better at recognising word patterns when consonants provided the structure of words rather than vowels.The dogs' brains also synchronised with the rhythm of consonant-based words in a pattern similar to that seen in human brains.“This is the first evidence that a consonant bias can also emerge in the brain of a species other than humans,” co-author Kinga G. Tóth said.The findings challenge the idea that the brain needs specifically human language abilities to develop such a way of processing speech. “These findings suggest that the brain's tuning to speech, and specifically the emergence of consonant bias, does not require a pre-wired brain and human-like language abilities,” said Attila Andics of Eötvös Loránd University.“Instead, regular exposure to speech may be enough to change how the brain functions and to give rise to processing characteristics previously observed only in humans, even in a species evolutionarily distant from us.”<h2>Speech exposure may shape the canine brain</h2>The researchers also compared family pets with dogs that had spent their early months in shelters or on the streets.Both groups developed the same strong consonant bias, suggesting that prolonged exposure to human speech, rather than a particular upbringing, may help shape this aspect of the canine brain.The researchers also found an important difference between humans and dogs. People were able to detect words built around vowel patterns as well, although they performed better when consonants carried the word structure.Dogs, by comparison, did not show the same ability to detect the less familiar vowel-based patterns. Researchers said this may indicate that humans are better at learning unexpected linguistic patterns.<h2>Some dogs can learn words by listening in</h2>The findings add to growing research into how dogs process human language.A separate study published earlier this year found that some highly skilled dogs could learn new words simply by listening to their owners' conversations. Researchers said the dogs needed to follow their owner's gaze and attention, recognise communicative signals and identify individual words from a continuous flow of speech.That ability had also been considered largely unique to humans. The researchers found that some dogs displayed language-learning behaviours comparable to those seen in children between 18 and 23 months old.“Under the right conditions, some dogs present behaviours strikingly similar to those of young children,” said lead author Dr Shany Dror of the University for Veterinary Medicine in Vienna.Together, the findings suggest that a dog's ability to pick up patterns in human speech may be rooted not only in training, but also in the way its brain adapts to living alongside people.

A new study has found that dogs’ brains process continuous human speech using a pattern previously considered uniquely human. The surprising clue is consonants, which appear to help dogs break streams of sounds into individual words. Here's all you need to know.

Dogs may understand more about human speech than previously thought. A new study has found that canine brains process spoken language in a way that researchers had previously considered uniquely human. Scientists discovered that dogs can use consonants to break continuous streams of sounds into individual words, a process known as a “consonant bias”. Until now, this feature had been documented in humans and had not even been observed in primates, despite their closer evolutionary relationship to people. Dogs use consonants to identify words Researchers compared the brain responses of 20 humans and 20 companion dogs while they listened to speech. Their analysis, published in the journal Science, found that both species were better at recognising word patterns when consonants provided the structure of words rather than vowels. The dogs' brains also synchronised with the rhythm of consonant-based words in a pattern similar to that seen in human brains. “This is the first evidence that a consonant bias can also emerge in the brain of a species other than humans,” co-author Kinga G. Tóth said. The findings challenge the idea that the brain needs specifically human language abilities to develop such a way of processing speech. “These findings suggest that the brain's tuning to speech, and specifically the emergence of consonant bias, does not require a pre-wired brain and human-like language abilities,” said Attila Andics of Eötvös Loránd University. “Instead, regular exposure to speech may be enough to change how the brain functions and to give rise to processing characteristics previously observed only in humans, even in a species evolutionarily distant from us.” Speech exposure may shape the canine brain The researchers also compared family pets with dogs that had spent their early months in shelters or on the streets. Both groups developed the same strong consonant bias, suggesting that prolonged exposure to human speech, rather than a particular upbringing, may help shape this aspect of the canine brain. The researchers also found an important difference between humans and dogs. People were able to detect words built around vowel patterns as well, although they performed better when consonants carried the word structure. Dogs, by comparison, did not show the same ability to detect the less familiar vowel-based patterns. Researchers said this may indicate that humans are better at learning unexpected linguistic patterns. Some dogs can learn words by listening in The findings add to growing research into how dogs process human language. A separate study published earlier this year found that some highly skilled dogs could learn new words simply by listening to their owners' conversations. Researchers said the dogs needed to follow their owner's gaze and attention, recognise communicative signals and identify individual words from a continuous flow of speech. That ability had also been considered largely unique to humans. The researchers found that some dogs displayed language-learning behaviours comparable to those seen in children between 18 and 23 months old. “Under the right conditions, some dogs present behaviours strikingly similar to those of young children,” said lead author Dr Shany Dror of the University for Veterinary Medicine in Vienna. Together, the findings suggest that a dog's ability to pick up patterns in human speech may be rooted not only in training, but also in the way its brain adapts to living alongside people.

A new study has found that dogs’ brains process continuous human speech using a pattern previously considered uniquely human. The surprising clue is consonants, which appear to help dogs break streams of sounds into individual words. Here's all you need to know.

Thanks to a surprising brain trick, dogs really do ‘understand’ human speech, study finds

Face-drenching licks by dogs feel delightful to dog owners. While some push their pooches away, others positively indulge in their pet's affection. It's a heartwarming scene but not the healthiest thing for the dog owner.

Face-drenching licks by dogs feel delightful to dog owners. While some push their pooches away, others positively indulge in their pet's affection. It's a heartwarming scene but not the healthiest thing for the dog owner. In an article published in The Conversation, Jacqueline Boyd, a senior lecturer in Animal Science at Nottingham Trent University, describes how a dog's way of showing affection by licking can do more harm than good. Licking is a crucial action for dogs. When a dog licks its mouth repeatedly, it could be a slight sign of stress or fear. They also use lip-licking as a behavioural response to their owner's emotional state. They lick their lips more frequently when they see angry faces. Almost all canine owners report being licked on their face by their dog. However, for people who are immunocompromised, have open wounds, or have a dog that has a track record of eating faeces, it's best to avoid face licks. According to Boyd, a dog's mouth has several microorganisms that are low risk for humans. However, there are rare cases when certain infections can pass from dogs to humans by bites, licks or scratches. For instance, Capnocytophaga canimorsus, a bacteria found in the mouths of up to 75 per cent of otherwise healthy dogs and cats, can cause life-threatening sepsis. Other microbes like Pasteurella multocida can also spread by contact with dog saliva, resulting in meningitis. Antibiotic resistance has become a concerning global health challenge. Canine saliva can also be a potential source of bacteria carrying antibiotic-resistant genes. ALSO READ | Scientists develop recyclable ‘water batteries’ that never explode A German study of 2,800 hospital patients and their companion animals in 2023 proved "that the sharing of multidrug-resistant organisms between companion animals and their owners is possible." However, the study identified only a handful of cases. Thus, the researchers concluded that "cat or dog ownership isn't a significant risk factor for multidrug-resistant organism colonisation in hospital patients." In the past, animal saliva has been used for wound healing, with some dogs specially trained to lick open wounds. However, there's no strong evidence which shows that allowing animals, especially dogs, to lick wounds will help them heal. Having a dog can have healing effects on your mental health. However, allowing animals to lick open wounds can put the owner at an increased risk of infection. (With inputs from agencies)

Pet owners beware! Allowing your dog to lick your face can be unhealthy and even fatal

Imagine an app or a device that lets dogs call their owners for a chat anytime they feel the need.

Scientists have invented a softball called DogPhone that will allow bored Beagles or yappy Yorkies to do so.

Aiming to trailblaze the dog internet, inventors in Scotland and Finland say it will be a lifeline for lonely dogs and "pandemic puppies" left at home all day.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/video-of-chinese-health-workers-killing-pet-dog-with-a-crowbar-triggers-backlash-429830">Also read |&nbsp;Video of Chinese health workers killing pet dog with a crowbar triggers backlash</a>

According to inventor Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas, "No one's really done this sort of stuff before. Where do we even begin making things from a dog viewpoint?"

The pet shakes a ball which triggers a video call to the owner's phone. Hirskyj-Douglas has tested the device on her 10-year-old Labrador Zack.

''Over the past decade, many systems have been developed for humans to remotely connect to their pets at home,'' said Hirskyj-Douglas.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/dog-sized-sea-scorpions-ruled-chinese-sea-floors-400-million-years-ago-study-424851">Also read |&nbsp;Dog-sized sea scorpions ruled Chinese sea floors 400 million years ago: Study</a>

However, she points out that ''little attention has been paid to how animals can control such systems and what the implications are of animals using internet systems.''

''When the accelerometer senses movement, it initiates a video call on a laptop in their living room allowing Zack to see and interact with his owner whenever he chooses. Zack’s owner can also use the system to call him, and he is free to answer or ignore the call,'' she adds.

While worried dog lovers hailed the breakthrough others say you'd be barking to get one.

(With inputs from agencies) 
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Imagine an app or a device that lets dogs call their owners for a chat anytime they feel the need. Scientists have invented a softball called DogPhone that will allow bored Beagles or yappy Yorkies to do so.

Imagine an app or a device that lets dogs call their owners for a chat anytime they feel the need. Scientists have invented a softball called DogPhone that will allow bored Beagles or yappy Yorkies to do so. Aiming to trailblaze the dog internet, inventors in Scotland and Finland say it will be a lifeline for lonely dogs and "pandemic puppies" left at home all day. Also read | Video of Chinese health workers killing pet dog with a crowbar triggers backlash According to inventor Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas, "No one's really done this sort of stuff before. Where do we even begin making things from a dog viewpoint?" The pet shakes a ball which triggers a video call to the owner's phone. Hirskyj-Douglas has tested the device on her 10-year-old Labrador Zack. ''Over the past decade, many systems have been developed for humans to remotely connect to their pets at home,'' said Hirskyj-Douglas. Also read | Dog-sized sea scorpions ruled Chinese sea floors 400 million years ago: Study However, she points out that ''little attention has been paid to how animals can control such systems and what the implications are of animals using internet systems.'' ''When the accelerometer senses movement, it initiates a video call on a laptop in their living room allowing Zack to see and interact with his owner whenever he chooses. Zack’s owner can also use the system to call him, and he is free to answer or ignore the call,'' she adds. While worried dog lovers hailed the breakthrough others say you'd be barking to get one. (With inputs from agencies)

Now, dogs can call their owners for a chat anytime

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Thanks to a surprising brain trick, dogs really do ‘understand’ human speech, study finds

Pet owners beware! Allowing your dog to lick your face can be unhealthy and even fatal

Now, dogs can call their owners for a chat anytime