Question: Sometimes my 1-year-old standard poodle Sophie tilts her head when I’m talking, as though trying to understand what I’m saying. My other dogs don’t do this, why does she?
Answer: In a recent study, researchers observed 40 toy-motivated family dogs trying to learn the names of two toys and retrieve them — by name — from another room. Only six dogs were able to learn the toys’ names and consistently bring them to their family members. These dogs were labeled “gifted word learner,” or GWL, dogs.
The researchers studied the dogs through multiple tests and found that while typical dogs tilted their heads only 2 percent of the time, GWL dogs exhibited a head tilt 43 percent of the time. In all cases, the head tilt occurred while the dog was facing the family member asking the dog to retrieve a particular toy. The researchers concluded that gifted dogs often tilt their heads as they listen, so Sophie may be especially smart. I recommend you regularly engage her brain by teaching her the names of family members and toys.
Ask the Vet is written by veterinarian Lee Pickett, VMD. Send questions to [email protected] and read more at saturdayeveningpost.com/ask-the-vet.
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Comments
Dear Editor:
Our neighbor’s son is a police officer with the K9 unit.
He was told to face the dog when speaking a command, or, even in general conversation with the dog.
He was told that in essence, the dog is lip-reading and comparing its lip reading to what is actually being said to it.
The tilt head is an acknowledgement that its working to understand what is being said to it, or, why , depending on the situation.
I have N O doubt that this fact, as the dog , which I have briefly met, does indeed seem to know exactly what is being said, as it tilts its head in acknowldgement.
Sincerely.
Gord Young- Peterboro [Still not in the 51st state]
BTW: This is why itruly, truly hat it when people say that animals are S T U PP ID.
Perhaps we are the stupid ones thinking that.
That’s so interesting!
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Just Tab On My Name
As a standard poodle, Sophie’s a very intelligent dog that can learn all kinds of things pretty quickly and easily. Lucky pet parent for sure.