That is all we need-increasing the family dog’s communication skills, so that his/her point of view will be fully considered in making family decisions. The advent of AI and the increase of its use in technology over the past few years has affected so many aspects of our daily lives. I read a magazine article recently telling about the strides made in the field of language and communication research using domesticated dogs. It definitely struck me. Their studies using communication boards lying flat on the floor with colorful circular buttons for the dogs to push. It turn out researchers have been testing out the canine mastery of language skills.
My own doggy buddy has been communicating with me in much more complex ways for seven and a half years. He doesn’t need to press large buttons of different colors with short phrases of one or two words…yet. He is able to convey his needs, the basics usually- such as feed me or go out. My dog Maximus needs no buttons to press for attention, because he uses body language in so many different and specific ways.
Staring intently at me while he sits as close to me as he can get, he begins licking and smacking his lips. That gesture means “I need a drink of water.” He sticks his nose into my armpit insistently for more than a a few minutes. This means that he has something important to tell me now: “I have to go to the bathroom.” Specifically, it is his own signal for making me haul myself up from the comfy couch and follow him to the door leading outside. Wagging his tail the entire short trip, he doesn’t stop until we are both in front of the door. He trained himself to use his own body language to meet his own needs. I am not so sure we have much more to say at this point.
Research scientists studying dog behavior say that training dogs to use the latest technology to extend their language capabilities would beneficial to all of us. I am not sure about that. Apparently the app to use the button-pushing boards should by available to the public soon, if they are not already.
A few talkative pupils using the special but easy-to use equipment have convinced the scientists, that there are so many dogs out there who have a lot to say. It’s a new era.
By Dolly Viscardi