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People Who Talk To Their Newfoundlands Might Be Smarter Than Those Who Don’t

The other day I was walking Odin and as he was sniffing, I was talking to him. 

I was telling him how much the woods that he keeps wanting to walk weren’t safe right now because they’re infested with ticks but very soon things will start to change and we’ll be able to go back there and explore. 

I pointed out each spot that was Leroy’s favorite and told him he will like those spots too because they have the best smells. 

Then I realized that I was walking Odin in public with cars passing and staring at us. 

Oh. That might look a little weird.

Later that night I was talking to Leroy. I was telling him what medication I was giving him and why it’s changed a bit. I mean, he should be informed of what meds he’s on, right?

As I was explaining all of this my husband shouted, “Who are you talking to? Do we have visitors?”

“No, I’m talking to Leroy. Duh.” I yelled back. 

I’ve always talked to dogs. All the time and to be honest, I have better conversations with them than I do with some people. 

I even talk to the ones that aren’t physically here anymore and I ask them questions. 

Do you know what that means? It doesn’t mean I’m cray-cray it might mean I’m smart.

And if you talk to your dogs, you’re smart too. Smarter than the average person despite what your senior high school report card says. (maybe that’s just mine)

Nicholas Epley, a behavioral science professor at the University of Chicago, found that conversing with pets is one of the many ways humans try to anthropomorphize them, a way we try to make our pets more like us.

“Historically, anthropomorphizing has been treated as a sign of childishness or stupidity, but it’s actually a natural byproduct of the tendency that makes humans uniquely smart on this planet,” Epley said. “No other species has this tendency.”

A study, conducted by Gary D. Sherman and Jonathan Haidt in 2011, took a group of people and showed them photos of baby animals and adult animals.

Most of the subjects chose the baby animals and agreed that they would give them human names and would refer to them while using proper gender terms.

Not only that, if they could own a baby animal, they would name him and talk to him, like they talk to humans.

What Is Anthropomorphism

Anthropomorphism is the act of treating objects or other life forms with human-like emotions, traits or intention.

The study states, “Anthropomorphism describes the tendency to imbue the real or imagined behavior of nonhuman agents with humanlike characteristics, motivations, intentions, or emotions.”

Scientists claim that anthropomorphism makes humans uniquely smart creatures on this planet.

woman with arm around brown newfoundland dog

How It Helps Your Newfoundland

Studies suggest that anthropomorphism can make your pet smarter as well.

How? It helps the dog to understand the difference between words and your gestures.

In turn, they tend to understand our emotions and words better and sometimes they will even show us empathy.

Do More Of It! It’s Not Weird!

Unfortunately, the study found as people get older, their conversations with their pets tend to end for fear of looking weird.

What’s weird is NOT talking to your Newfie so keep doing it!

p.s. The study didn’t specifically use one breed of dog, which I guess means all of us that talk to any dog are SMART.

Tell us below the last conversation that you had with your Newfoundland. 

 

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tylersat99

Tuesday 1st of October 2019

I always talk to my dogs not only in training which they all go through just for socializing, learning, and meeting different people; but just for everyday things. Mica RIP and Aspen hateto take pills but like with Aspen if it is a day he is itching badly and I tell him it's for itching he will let us put it down his throat. He knows it will stop the itching. I know they understand. When I got Aspen Mica was devastated from losing Lexie so I ask her to help me potty train the puppy. When I said potty she got up everytime and took him out. They understand most of what i say to them.

Bobby Levy

Sunday 22nd of September 2019

My saint bernard cujo just turned 2 I always talk to him since I got him. And my wife will be like what u said n I'll say not talking to u talking to cujo. I swear this guy knows what I'm saying. When I eat he eats. And I said it's time to eat in several different ways while he's playing in the yard. And he comes right away. Even if I say it in Spanish. Yes it totally normal to talk to your dog. N yes they understand.

Tails Around the Ranch

Saturday 21st of September 2019

If talking to my dogs makes each of us smarter, I'll be turning up the volume. The neighbors already think I'm daft. ;)

Jan

Friday 20th of September 2019

I have always talked to my dogs too. Recently one of my dogs got a ball lodged in a tight place. I said, "Use your paw." She did immediately and dislodged the ball. It was very impressive to the three people who saw this happen and I think secretly thought I was balmy for talking to dogs.

How will they learn words if they never hear words?

Kelley

Friday 20th of September 2019

I talk to my Newfie (and my Golden), ALL the time! Oddly enough, it never even occurred to me that it might look odd if someone sees me doing it public! I think my Golden understands a lot more of what I talk to her about than my Newfie, but I don't care. I have some of the best conversations with my girls. :)

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