Do dogs understand when we talk?

i believe so. coz whenever my wife and i talk to our dog -- he seems to be really listening. and he knows when i am mad at him for making a mess that he hides right away in any available hiding place.

I believe they understand the tone more than they understand the words. I could be sitting rubbing my dogs belly and in a calm soothing voice ask him if he wants to go outside and he won't move an inch. But if he is no where near me and I exclaim in an excited voice do you want to go outside he comes running to the door whether he has to go out or not. So I would have to say it is how you speak to your dog that they understand more so than what words you are actually saying.

I also had the same question. I have three dogs and talking with them I found that dogs can understand what we talk if we train them. Means we have to train them by action and talk. I have taught my dogs to sit when I say 'sit', so I taught them by saying sit and then showing the action. Thus now they respong to my voice. Also when we call them by names they respond properly.

I think some dogs have a pretty good vocabulary - but that they also understand tone of voice.... tell your dog he is an awful, ugly, mean, bad boy but say it in the sweetest goochie goo voice and he will be all over you with wags and kisses - tell him he is a sweet, lovable, huggable dear of a freind but in a harsh tone and he will put his tail between his legs and whimper. I have had dogs that did not seem to understand a word spoken to them, not even their name.... and I have had some that had a pretty good vocabulary. currently we have bichon frise and they are pretty smart in this regards. go, come, stay, excuse me, move, out, walk, bed, treat, food, eat, bye bye come to mind right now I have known of some who teach their bichon to potty on command as well

Hi Deblwest, Welcome to myLot, I hope you will enjoy it here and make lots of friends. It can be a fun place to be with a chance to make a little money. I think that all animals are much smarter than we give them credit for. You are right about speaking to them in a tender voice. Always be kind to animals and you will have lifelong friends. Blessings.

yes, i do think the dogs can understand what we mean when we are talking. the dogs can understand us through our voice, smell and body languages, the can'g know exactly what the words we are saying mean,but they can usually know our motion that time.even though they can just reponse us by barking and their own body languages.