Study Finds Dogs Understand Humans Better When Spoken to Slowly

New research reveals that dogs process speech more effectively at a slower tempo, enhancing communication between pets and their owners.

Scientists from the University of Geneva analyzed the vocal sounds of 30 dogs and 49 humans across five languages.
Human speech averages four syllables per second, while dogs vocalize at about two vocalizations per second.
Electroencephalography (EEG) data showed dogs focus on slower delta rhythms in speech, unlike humans who prioritize faster theta rhythms.
The study suggests that slowing down speech when talking to dogs aligns with their auditory processing capabilities, improving comprehension.
Researchers believe this adjustment in speech rate may have evolved to enhance human-canine communication over time.