Scientists Decode Dogspeak

[sbk]

Scientists decode dogspeak

Software analyzed barks sparked by fights, strangers, playtime

These findings suggest computers might significantly help people comprehend animal communication.

Scientists tested artificially intelligent software on more than 6,000 barks from 14 Hungarian sheepdogs. Six different kinds of barks were taped:

* Barks for strangers were recorded when a researcher approached a dog's owner's home when the owner was away.

* Barks during fights were recorded at dog training schools, when a trainer encouraged dogs to bite the glove on the trainer's arms and bark aggressively.

* Barks for walks were recorded when owners behaved as if they were preparing to go for a walk with their dogs.

* Barks for balls were recorded when owners held balls in front of dogs.

* Barks during playtime were recorded when owners played tug-of-war or similar games with dogs.

* Barks made when alone were recorded when owners tied dogs to trees in a park and then walked out of sight.

After analyzing digital versions of the barks, overall the computer program correctly identified the kinds of barks the dogs made 43 percent of the time — about the same as humans' 40 percent, said researcher Csaba Molnár, an ethologist at Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary. The software identified 'walk' and 'ball' barks better than people, although people identified 'play' and 'alone' barks better than the software.

The program also could identify which dog made each bark 52 percent of the time. Molnár and his colleagues had previously found that people can not reliably distinguish between individual Hungarian sheepdogs by their barks at all.

"I'm pretty sure this could work with any animal vocal signals," Molnár told LiveScience.

Molnár thinks dogs are ideal for study because humans and canines have spent thousands of years living together. "At least you know what the humans intend in any communication between them and dogs," he explained. "When you have communication just between animals, it's much harder to study what they mean."

In future experiments, the researchers will compare barks from different breeds. Since these dogs were bred for different jobs, this could result in differences in their barks, Molnár said.

Molnár and his colleagues detailed their findings on January 15 in the journal Animal Cognition.

© 2008 LiveScience.com. All rights reserved.

[siamesekitty]

Oooo.. interesting! Thanks for the article

[MrSnrang]

I believe the Japanese had something similar for cats years ago.

[monty]

Yeah, would like to find something on cat speak!

My cats have very distinguishable meows, out of which I and my wife clearly can make out what they need (sorry, make that "demand" )!

Quite a little vocabulary, with the most clearly understood are the "hello, welcome home", "need food/drink" and "clear litter now"

Which is quite a feat considering the fact that normally felines communicate more through body language, touch and smells, with maybe the exception being the noisy mating rituals of the non neutered/spayed animals!

Most domesticated cats actually perfected their vocal communication trying to communicate with us humans!

Oh, and without a doubt Asian/Siamese felines are the most vocal of all!

[Sheryl]

Yes, I find that (1) with any animal, the more effort you put into communication with them, the more they will in turn try to communicate back; and (2) cats in particular will quickly become vocal if you respond to their vocaslizations. they are also VERY quick to understand what you are saying to them...altho I'm not sure how much it is that they are following your words versus reading your mind...they seem quite skilled at that.

[sbk]

Tigger, our dog, has very clearly defined barks. I can tell the difference between her greetings to people she knows and her aggressive intruder barks. I also know its her. The other dogs each have different sounds. I would guess, because I spend so much time with my dogs (all day) that I am more attuned to their sounds than an owner who is off at work all day.

Our kitty, Lizzie, (who died of old age last year ) got more vocal as she got older. To the point where you couldn't shut her up

[monty]

Our kitty, Lizzie, (who died of old age last year sad.gif) got more vocal as she got older. To the point where you couldn't shut her up tongue.gif

Often a result of getting deaf! Bit like deaf people always shouting at you, they've got no idea of the racket they're making

Cats are very prone to hearing loss in the later stages of their life! Strangely enough their eyesight hardly degenerates, unlike with us humans! They don't need reading glasses . Well, they don't see much close up anyways, they switch to touch and smells on close encounters...

[monty]

they are also VERY quick to understand what you are saying to them

Although as good as they might understand you, how they will act on what you ask is entirely up to them. Remember, we are nothing more then (hopefully) adorable big slaves to them

[Gary A]

I saw a coffee cup that said "Cats know exactly what you're thinking, they just don't care".

[AlexLah]

Hi all,

I know when I tell my experience communicating with cats dogs and fish you will not believe untill you see it.

I can sort of hear what they say in my mind, no barking or other stuff required.

I have proved many times to pet owners and show them that they actually respond to me.

Call me crazy call me insane but I can show you.

Alex

[sbk]

Our kitty, Lizzie, (who died of old age last year sad.gif) got more vocal as she got older. To the point where you couldn't shut her up tongue.gif

Often a result of getting deaf! Bit like deaf people always shouting at you, they've got no idea of the racket they're making

Cats are very prone to hearing loss in the later stages of their life! Strangely enough their eyesight hardly degenerates, unlike with us humans! They don't need reading glasses . Well, they don't see much close up anyways, they switch to touch and smells on close encounters...

thats what the vet said at the time. Miss that cat .

Our dog, Scruffy, is about 14 and going deaf. Interestingly enough, he is not more vocal but less so. Whines a bit when hungry (which he never did before) but not much in the way of barking unless he gets startled (which he's always done) --just seems to get startled more easily now as these people keep sneaking up on him

[Patsycat]

I have a mug with "People who don't like cats must have been mice in a previous life" printed on it.