Dogs’ brains are sensitive to the familiar high-pitched “cute” voice tone that adult humans, especially women, use to talk to babies, according to a new study.
The research, published recently in the journal Communications Biology, found “exciting similarities” between infant and dog brains during the processing of speech with such a high-pitched tone feature.
Humans tend to speak with a specific speech style characterised by exaggerated prosody, or patterns of stress and intonation in a language, when communicating with individuals having limited language competence.
Such speech has previously been found to be very important for the healthy cognitive, social and language development of children, who are also tuned to such a high-pitched voice.
But researchers, including those from the Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary, hoped to assess whether dog brains are also sensitive to this way of communication.
In the study, conscious family dogs were made to listen to dog, infant and adult-directed speech recorded from 12 women and men in real-life interactions.
As the dogs listened, their brain activities were measured using a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan.
The study found the sound-processing regions of the dogs’ brains responded more to dog- and infant-directed than adult-directed speech.
This marked the first neurological evidence that dog brains are tuned to speech directed specifically at them.
“Studying how dog brains process dog-directed speech is exciting, because it can help us understand how exaggerated prosody contributes to efficient speech processing in a nonhuman species skilled at relying on different speech cues,” explained Anna Gergely, co-first author of the study.
Scientists also found dog- and infant-directed speech sensitivity of dog brains was more pronounced when the speakers were women, and was affected by voice pitch and its variation.
These findings suggest the way we speak to dogs matters, and that their brain is specifically sensitive to the higher-pitched voice tone typical to the female voice.
“Remarkably, the voice tone patterns characterizing women’s dog-directed speech are not typically used in dog-dog communication – our results may thus serve evidence for a neural preference that dogs developed during their domestication,” said Anna Gábor, co-first author of the study.
“Dog brains’ increased sensitivity to dog-directed speech spoken by women specifically may be due to the fact that women more often speak to dogs with exaggerated prosody than men,” Dr Gabor said.
On my momentous 15th birthday, I’m eager for an outpouring of heartfelt birthday wishes
Celebrating milestones isn’t unique to people; our furry companions maintain a particular place in these celebrations too. As your loyal companion hits the exceptional milestone of 15 years, it’s a momentous event that’s worthy of recognition and celebration.
For a lot of dog house owners, the bond with their pet transcends the boundaries of mere possession. It’s a journey marked by love, loyalty, and shared experiences. Watching your canine pal develop from a playful pup right into a sensible and cherished companion is nothing in need of a exceptional journey.
The years have woven a tapestry of reminiscences – from the mischievous pet antics to the comforting presence throughout each joyous and difficult instances. Every wag of the tail, each excited bark, and the mild nuzzle in opposition to your hand tells a narrative of unwavering companionship.
At 15, your dog may be slowing down a bit, however the sparkle of their eyes and the heat of their coronary heart stay unchanged. Their presence is a testomony to the enjoyment they carry, the teachings they educate about resilience, love, and the straightforward pleasures of life.
Celebrating this milestone isn’t simply in regards to the variety of years; it’s a mirrored image of the shared experiences, the teachings realized, and the unstated bond that phrases can not totally encapsulate. It’s in regards to the numerous walks, the video games of fetch, the quiet moments of solace, and the unconditional love that has crammed your own home.
As your dog turns 15, it’s a possibility to cherish every second collectively. It’s a time to reminisce in regards to the laughter, the cuddles, and the adventures embarked upon aspect by aspect. It’s about acknowledging the significance of their presence in shaping your life.
So, whether or not it’s a particular deal with, an extra-long stroll, or just spending high quality time collectively, celebrating your dog’s fifteenth birthday is a tribute to the enjoyment they’ve introduced into your life. It’s a celebration of their timeless spirit, their unwavering companionship, and the profound influence they’ve had in your coronary heart. Cheers to your furry pal and to the numerous reminiscences but to be made within the years forward!
Leave a Reply