Proc Biol Sci January 2017 PMID 28077769

Dog-directed speech: why do we use it and do dogs pay attention to it?

Tobey Ben-Aderet, Mario Gallego-Abenza, David Reby, Nicolas Mathevon

Mentions

60
Peak: 27 in Apr 2019
across 5 sources since Jan 2017

Extended reach

567,600
potential audience

Total likes

8,107

Video views

258,944

Mentions per month

Jan 2017 – Apr 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter42 posts
  • Reddit8 posts
  • News7 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Blogs1 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The group shows strong interest and engagement through references to research articles, videos, and personal experiences, such as mentions of scientific studies and discussions about whether puppies or older dogs pay attention. The tone and choice of words emphasize curiosity and the scientific basis, reflecting a nuanced understanding of the topic's significance.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the scientific basis of dog-directed speech, with some posts expressing curiosity or supporting the idea that this speech pattern helps in bonding and communication.

InterestHigh interest

Participants show high interest, frequently referencing research, videos, and asking questions about whether dogs respond differently based on age.

EngagementHigh engagement

The discussion features detailed references to scientific studies, shared videos, and personal observations which indicate deep engagement with the topic.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions highlight how understanding dog-directed speech could affect dog training, human-animal relationships, and scientific knowledge, suggesting moderate overall impact.

Abstract in brief

  • Dog-directed speech shares similarities with infant-directed speech, having a higher pitch and slower tempo to attract attention and aid in communication.
  • The study found that humans use dog-directed speech for dogs of all ages, with pitch being higher especially when talking to puppies, who react strongly to this speech pattern.
  • While puppies respond noticeably to dog-directed speech, older dogs do not show a different response, indicating that this speech style may primarily help communicate with nonverbal young dogs rather than adult dogs.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
SciShow
@SciShow · X

Why do our voices do such ridiculous things when we see good good doggos? https://t.co/MLLyfAf2yK https://t.co/7clCHYr6gE

Apr 9, 2019 · 28 likes · 3 shares · 112,370 followers View post →
SciShow
@SciShow · X

We have videos about this! Baby talk is good for babies: https://t.co/KbRyS8Sp4o Why we talk to dogs like that: https://t.co/MLLyfAf2yK https://t.co/vcvtxHsNMZ

Jun 3, 2019 · 16 likes · 2 shares · 112,370 followers View post →
Tammy Rosner, PhD
@TammyRosner · X

Turns out the annoying voice I use when I talk to my dog not only hold his attention, but helps us bond. Therefore it is backed up by science and I WILL NOT STOP. Thanks @SciShow! https://t.co/8NkOTAaXrV https://t.co/RxABFo6Z6w

Apr 11, 2019 · 3 likes · 355 followers View post →
Dr. Amritha Mallikarjun
@avmalli · X

@JoyofPhysics @sasshole One example - dogs like our silly pet directed voices https://t.co/zxRlCo3Zx8

Mar 3, 2021 · 2 likes · 1 share · 1,180 followers View post →
Jason
@JATetro · X

Some great research on how we communicate with our canine companions. https://t.co/VpgsfIqCK2 and https://t.co/baUaL84F6m (PDF) https://t.co/w0IyN60IxN

Jun 5, 2020 · 1 like · 1 share · 12,174 followers View post →
Jonathan D. Halevi
@jdhalevi · X

@HanyVayzer Why Do We Talk To Dogs Like That? https://t.co/b8JJJ2Hyfc

Mar 17, 2021 · 1 like · 8,247 followers View post →

All mentions

water lily princess
@chicagocityboy · X

@odviouslee Kyknya thesisnya blm ditaro archives (archives kampus aku dibuka untuk umum) tp kl search pet-directed speech ada banyak!! Kl dari ini https://t.co/ay7dcG4iLi kesimpulannya suara ‘imut’ itu pitch nya lebih tinggi trs itu strategi yg kita pake buat narik perhatian bayi binatang

Jun 24, 2024 · 9,926 followers View post →
Dalia K. M. Khojely
@DaliaACA · X

RT @KlausRiede: "Dog-directed speech: Why do we use it and do dogs pay attention to it?" — Read it on @ResearchGate: https://t.co/j7XjiIuEa…

Jan 10, 2023 · 1 share · 2,091 followers View post →
Klaus Riede
@KlausRiede · X

"Dog-directed speech: Why do we use it and do dogs pay attention to it?" — Read it on @ResearchGate: https://t.co/j7XjiIuEaU #bioacoustics

Jan 10, 2023 · 1 like · 1 share · 4,568 followers View post →
Real Scientists DE
@realsci_DE · X

@UWLipow Jawoll: https://t.co/7TEhraa5P0 Aber den Effekt, den du meinst, hab ich noch nicht in der Literatur gesehen. Find ich auch interessant (ups, das war noch in meinen Entwürfen, gestern war viel los...)

Jul 29, 2022 · 17,920 followers View post →
Jonathan D. Halevi
@jdhalevi · X

@HanyVayzer Why Do We Talk To Dogs Like That? https://t.co/b8JJJ2Hyfc

Mar 17, 2021 · 1 like · 8,247 followers View post →
Dr. Amritha Mallikarjun
@avmalli · X

@JoyofPhysics @sasshole One example - dogs like our silly pet directed voices https://t.co/zxRlCo3Zx8

Mar 3, 2021 · 2 likes · 1 share · 1,180 followers View post →
Nicolas Mathevon @nicolasmathevon.bsky.social
@MathevonNicolas · X

@MKnornschild @holly_howls @mfnberlin @stri_panama The question is now: do pups care? https://t.co/1N0YaVAhM5

Aug 18, 2020 · 1 like · 1,837 followers View post →
bry
@BryonyRavate · X

@AdaMcVean @AITA_reddit This one says it works just with pups not older dogs - but tbh theres research which goes both ways https://t.co/MdtCAFTpkM

Jun 18, 2020 · 1 like · 366 followers View post →
Amanda Pfeffer
@onthebeat1 · X

RT @JATetro: Some great research on how we communicate with our canine companions. https://t.co/VpgsfIqCK2 and https://t.co/baUaL84F6m (PD…

Jun 5, 2020 · 1 share · 3,103 followers View post →
Jason
@JATetro · X

Some great research on how we communicate with our canine companions. https://t.co/VpgsfIqCK2 and https://t.co/baUaL84F6m (PDF) https://t.co/w0IyN60IxN

Jun 5, 2020 · 1 like · 1 share · 12,174 followers View post →
West Side Pet Hospital & Paws Inn
@WestSidePetInn · X

It's hard to resist talking to a cute puppy in that cutesy way, and there's actually a reason! It's called dog-directed speech, and here's some science that will help you understand it: https://t.co/1DciVMDu6r https://t.co/aSkkL1MJPy

Jan 29, 2020 · 12 followers View post →
Oggy
@OgiliusOggy · X

@MPrajs @jagovski @simplykms @LidiaDmnsk @s_gierszewski https://t.co/NGpjh2mJwY

Sep 4, 2019 · 1,051 followers View post →
Nightknight
@Nightkn47642451 · X

RT @SciShow: We have videos about this! Baby talk is good for babies: https://t.co/KbRyS8Sp4o Why we talk to dogs like that: https://t.co/M…

Jun 3, 2019 · 2 shares · 2 followers View post →
William Wallace
@bill14051 · X

RT @SciShow: We have videos about this! Baby talk is good for babies: https://t.co/KbRyS8Sp4o Why we talk to dogs like that: https://t.co/M…

Jun 3, 2019 · 2 shares · 370 followers View post →
The Eclectic Mind
@Jen129834 · X

RT @SciShow: We have videos about this! Baby talk is good for babies: https://t.co/KbRyS8Sp4o Why we talk to dogs like that: https://t.co/M…

Jun 3, 2019 · 2 shares · 424 followers View post →
SciShow
@SciShow · X

We have videos about this! Baby talk is good for babies: https://t.co/KbRyS8Sp4o Why we talk to dogs like that: https://t.co/MLLyfAf2yK https://t.co/vcvtxHsNMZ

Jun 3, 2019 · 16 likes · 2 shares · 112,370 followers View post →
Sapphire
@kwsapphire · X

@nonagoddess Yeah, I just saw something about this! https://t.co/yqPFJoAAVN

Apr 17, 2019 · 117 followers View post →
Jane Nibful ♿️
@Nibful · X

RT @Nibful: “Why Do We Talk To Dogs Like That?” https://t.co/kilV6VMfrg A fab summary of dog-directed speech!

Apr 13, 2019 · 1 share · 313 followers View post →
Stuff4U
@Stuff4U_YES · X

https://t.co/FZTxMhKPrJ https://t.co/F8YaXkbOl0

Apr 12, 2019 · 622 followers View post →
Anura Wasantha
@AnuraWasantha2 · X

https://t.co/RepNq7jmCk

Apr 11, 2019 · 3 followers View post →
Gabbey Mendoza
@gabbeymendoza · X

I make no distinction between baby talk and doggy talk because my dog *IS* my baby bebeVentilablabbgoodboiiiii

Apr 11, 2019 · 150 followers View post →
Tammy Rosner, PhD
@TammyRosner · X

Turns out the annoying voice I use when I talk to my dog not only hold his attention, but helps us bond. Therefore it is backed up by science and I WILL NOT STOP. Thanks @SciShow! https://t.co/8NkOTAaXrV https://t.co/RxABFo6Z6w

Apr 11, 2019 · 3 likes · 355 followers View post →
Besthotdeals
@besthotdealsnow · X

https://t.co/KNrpV86hKg

Apr 11, 2019 · 2 followers View post →
ImmaLion
@XSpBlog · X

Liked on YouTube: Why Do We Talk To Dogs Like That? https://t.co/WXBAdQXRDs

Apr 11, 2019 · 162 followers View post →
Kaijuking30
@Kaijuking30 · X

https://t.co/nbfXb7xdxw

Apr 10, 2019 · 3,466 followers View post →
Donald Rilea
@Catman_Rilea · X

Why Do We Talk To Dogs Like That? https://t.co/Xg2vuaUr1O via @YouTube

Apr 10, 2019 · 5,872 followers View post →
Crystal The PetNanny
@CrystalPetNanny · X

Dog-directed speech... https://t.co/GMJtZdgvPy https://t.co/GMJtZdgvPy

Apr 10, 2019 · 704 followers View post →
N. Petrenko
@npetrenko13 · X

Why Do We Talk To Dogs Like That? https://t.co/0bq3npsHTU via @YouTube

Apr 10, 2019 · 76 followers View post →
Alexander Zobaken
@ZobakenPony · X

Very Important Information https://t.co/lcGnHjqWAg

Apr 10, 2019 · 168 followers View post →
Mitchy
@mitchycutie97 · X

RT @SciShow: Why do our voices do such ridiculous things when we see good good doggos? https://t.co/MLLyfAf2yK https://t.co/7clCHYr6gE

Apr 9, 2019 · 3 shares · 67 followers View post →
William Wallace
@bill14051 · X

RT @SciShow: Why do our voices do such ridiculous things when we see good good doggos? https://t.co/MLLyfAf2yK https://t.co/7clCHYr6gE

Apr 9, 2019 · 3 shares · 370 followers View post →
Ordo Fraterna Fibonacci
@OrdoFibonacci · X

Why Do We Talk To Dogs Like That? https://t.co/orTbYOidFg via @YouTube

Apr 9, 2019 · 2,564 followers View post →
What's on Slamtaro?
@WhatsOnSlamtaro · X

Why Do We Talk To Dogs Like That? https://t.co/riWbfHl5QA

Apr 9, 2019 · 27 followers View post →
Christopher
@baconfishandrum · X

Why Do We Talk To Dogs Like That? https://t.co/5MY1WACBrV

Apr 9, 2019 · 1 followers View post →
Tylwyth
@Alisrafil1 · X

Why Do We Talk To Dogs Like That? https://t.co/xVx7RG8oNw via @YouTube

Apr 9, 2019 · 347 followers View post →
MirageGaogamon Enthusiast
@TheMirageGaomon · X

https://t.co/QMaM3kbsXV @Trobsmonkey & @FevertheOctopus hear you go. Some Science of Doggo & Humans!

Apr 9, 2019 · 767 followers View post →
SciShow
@SciShow · X

Why do our voices do such ridiculous things when we see good good doggos? https://t.co/MLLyfAf2yK https://t.co/7clCHYr6gE

Apr 9, 2019 · 28 likes · 3 shares · 112,370 followers View post →
David Jameson
@link5261 · X

Why Do We Talk To Dogs Like That? https://t.co/ImeTwYWt7I via @YouTube

Apr 9, 2019 · 244 followers View post →
Charles Ikenna
@CharlesIkenna23 · X

Why Do We Talk To Dogs Like That? https://t.co/AZ7ou0z7FS via @YouTube

Apr 9, 2019 · 3,218 followers View post →
POPTOP #science
@poptopitscience · X

Why Do We Talk To Dogs Like That? https://t.co/9f8GXbccp9

Apr 9, 2019 · 22 followers View post →
Kitty
@kittybravofan · X

Why Do We Talk To Dogs Like That? https://t.co/Ukf5rGo6mH via @YouTube

Apr 9, 2019 · 720 followers View post →
Johannes Lüke
@JohannesSLueke · X

New video by SciShow: Why Do We Talk To Dogs Like That? https://t.co/vheB1DtWup

Apr 9, 2019 · 83 followers View post →
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