Dogs can tell how toys work without any training
Reported by ScienceDaily · September 24 at 5:20 AM · Summary by Pawdeck
A study in Current Biology reports that a group of Gifted Word Learner dogs could sort toys by how they are used, grouping toys for pulling and toys for fetching even when the toys looked nothing alike. The dogs applied these labels to new toys they had never been named, and remembered the categories over long periods, all in their owners' homes without formal training.
Background
Gifted word learner dogs are dogs that can learn the names of many objects quickly, often through play. Researchers study this to understand how animals form mental categories and how these abilities relate to memory and language-like skills. Results from home-based studies like this one are generally used to suggest directions for further research rather than to define what all dogs can do.
Why it matters
It offers a clearer picture of how your dog may be processing the toys and games you share, and how much they remember.
What you can do
If you want to see this kind of learning at home, try naming a few toys by the game you play with them, such as "pull" or "fetch", and see whether your dog picks up the difference.
Written by Pawdeck from the report by ScienceDaily. Background is general information, not advice about your dog or cat; if you are worried, call your vet.
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