British researchers have discovered that dogs learn the names of new objects differently than humans. While young children tend to remember the characteristic shape of an object when learning a new name, dogs focus more on the size and surface texture of the object. Previous experiments have shown that dogs can distinguish up to 200 objects with extensive training. However, the researchers wanted to understand if dogs understand words in the same way as humans. To test this, they developed a test where both children and dogs were shown an object and then asked to choose the object that was similar to the original object.
In the test, the researchers found that children tended to choose the object that had a similar shape to the original object, while dogs chose the object that was similar in size to the original object. The researchers also found that after four months, the dog’s recognition process had shifted from size to texture, while children still recognized the object based on its shape. The researchers emphasized that they intentionally used objects with similar scents to exclude the dog’s sense of smell, which is typically used to recognize objects.
The study’s lead author, Emile van der Zee, noted that the research showed a qualitative difference in how dogs and humans understand words. While dogs may rely more on size and texture, humans tend to focus on the shape of an object when learning its name. The study’s findings shed light on the cognitive differences between dogs and humans and could have implications for how we train and communicate with our furry friends.
In conclusion, the study found that dogs learn the names of new objects differently than humans, focusing more on size and texture rather than shape. The researchers developed a test to compare how children and dogs learn new names, finding that children tend to focus on shape while dogs focus on size. The study’s findings highlight the cognitive differences between dogs and humans and could have implications for how we train and communicate with our pets.
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