Gifted word learner dogs can acquire labels for new toys simply by listening to their owners, according to a new study published in the journal Science. Researchers found that these dogs possess sociocognitive skills comparable to those of 18-month-old human toddlers, enabling them to learn the names of objects through overhearing conversations.

The study builds upon previous research conducted as part of the Genius Dog Challenge, led by Claudia Fugazza of Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary. Fugazza and her team have been investigating canine behavior and cognition for several years. Their 2022 study, for example, revealed that dogs store key sensory features of their toys, such as appearance and smell, and use these features to recall and retrieve specific toys when asked.

"We've seen that these dogs have an extraordinary ability to learn object names," said Fugazza. "This new study shows that they can learn these names even when they are not directly taught, but simply by overhearing their owners use the names in conversation."

The researchers focused on dogs already identified as gifted word learners, meaning they demonstrated the ability to learn and remember the names of multiple toys. These dogs were exposed to conversations between their owners and other people, where new toys were referred to by name. The dogs were then tested to see if they could identify the new toys based on hearing their names.

The results indicated that the gifted word learner dogs were able to successfully learn the names of the new toys through this passive eavesdropping. This suggests a high level of cognitive ability and a capacity for social learning in these animals.

Prior studies had shown that most dogs can learn simple action cues like "sit" or "down." However, the ability to learn object names, especially through indirect means like overhearing, is a much rarer skill. The researchers believe that further investigation into the cognitive abilities of these gifted word learner dogs could provide valuable insights into the evolution of language and learning in both canines and humans. The team plans to continue studying these dogs to understand the full extent of their cognitive abilities and how they compare to those of young children.