Why do we talk to our pets?

[Rollcage]

I am sure that I am not the only person who talks to my pets (two German Shepherds) ,but surely we all realise they do not understand what we are saying! Sure, they are clever and can associate words with actions, as Pavlov proved, but honestly!Often I have to stop myself talking too much to them,especially when out on walks!(At home is different and allowed )

Anyone else guilty of this ,or is it just me?

[timlongs]

My goldfish are dead...

[littlegreenfairy]

Because they love to be chatted to.

[Shabs]

I talk to the pets I have had, I feel that they enjoy the interaction (tilting of heads, snorting, etc) and even though they don't understand the words, they do understand the tone of voice

[HOGEPH]

It's the only intelligent conversation I can get around here!

[S1mon.]

I talk to mine, and he replies, He always asks for what he wants aswell.

[lottie]

I talk to my Spaniel-Jackson, at least he just listens and doesn't make promises he won't keep.

[voyds9]

Because they make more sense than the wife

[GTIR]

Thats just crazy.

I talk to myself quite a bit mind.

[The Hypno-Toad]

There's a pigeon at work I talk to all the time. He's my own true friend. Amd on some days, especially when I haven't taken my extra pill, he talks back to me. He tells me that my workmates have been judged guilty in the eyes of the lord and that I should LEAVE NOTHING LIVING.......

[cptsideways]

One of our dogs talks back at you !

[Cotty]

Rollcage said:

but surely we all realise they do not understand what we are saying!

They may not, but they do know the way you say it. Talk to a dog camly and it will react a certain way, shout at it and the reaction will be different.

They may not understand what you say but they understand the emotion behind it.

[mi1ne]

The Hypno-Toad said:

There's a pigeon at work I talk to all the time. He's my own true friend. Amd on some days, especially when I haven't taken my extra pill, he talks back to me. He tells me that my workmates have been judged guilty in the eyes of the lord and that I should LEAVE NOTHING LIVING.......

actually lol'd

[Simpo Two]

Rollcage said:

Sure, they are clever and can associate words with actions, as Pavlov proved, but honestly!

Actually Pavlov proved a conditioned reaction - no intelligence required!

He then went on to design the Pavlova - or was it the Peach Melba...?

[Rollcage]

Simpo Two said:

Rollcage said:

Sure, they are clever and can associate words with actions, as Pavlov proved, but honestly!

Actually Pavlov proved a conditioned reaction - no intelligence required!

He then went on to design the Pavlova - or was it the Peach Melba...?

Yes ,well!I was going to say "associate actions with results" to keep with the Pavlov comparison, but decided against it!

[Rollcage]

Cotty said:

Rollcage said:

but surely we all realise they do not understand what we are saying!

They may not, but they do know the way you say it. Talk to a dog camly and it will react a certain way, shout at it and the reaction will be different.

They may not understand what you say but they understand the emotion behind it.

They certainly do understand emotion - my more senior GS can instantly tell if someone is wary or scared of him ,and proceeds to subtly wind them up .If they are not bothered ,he will generally ignore them. He can also spot a wrong 'un a mile off! I became quite convinced he was a failed police dog soon after I had him - lots of little character traits that he has.

[Deluded]

I expect they do not understand everything we say but my two dogs definatly understand words and phrases.

Who's to say they don't understand though? Just because they can't speak back, doesn't mean they can't learn. Much like a child or a person, if they are in the environment long enough, they will pick up the language.

I'm not saying they do though. Just that they definatly know certain bits. Plus, they like it. They love the attention and pick up on the tone of voice too.

[ali_kat]

They understand emotions and pick them up, whether you are making any kind of noise or not.

They snuggle when you are upset , hide when you are angry , purr when you are happy

My cats 'talk', you can understand most of what they are saying to you and have a 'good' (well amusing) conversation with them. I can tell when my cats are meowing for fuss, food, scared, or something is wrong.

My old siamese used to greet me at the front door when I got home and proceed to tell me everything that he had done since I left, with different nuances in the meows, when he was excited about something.

[moleamol]

Rollcage said:

He can also spot a wrong 'un a mile off! I became quite convinced he was a failed police dog soon after I had him - lots of little character traits that he has.

I often think that about my Spaniel.

[otolith]

ali_kat said:

My old siamese used to greet me at the front door when I got home and proceed to tell me everything that he had done since I left, with different nuances in the meows, when he was excited about something.

Really? We just get a list of the ways in which we have failed today to meet his expectations.