Dogs’ brains are sensitive to the familiar high-pitched “cute” voice tone that adult humans, especially women, use to talk to babies, according to a new study.
The research, published recently in the journal Communications Biology, found “exciting similarities” between infant and dog brains during the processing of speech with such a high-pitched tone feature.
Humans tend to speak with a specific speech style characterised by exaggerated prosody, or patterns of stress and intonation in a language, when communicating with individuals having limited language competence.
Such speech has previously been found to be very important for the healthy cognitive, social and language development of children, who are also tuned to such a high-pitched voice.
But researchers, including those from the Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary, hoped to assess whether dog brains are also sensitive to this way of communication.
In the study, conscious family dogs were made to listen to dog, infant and adult-directed speech recorded from 12 women and men in real-life interactions.
As the dogs listened, their brain activities were measured using a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan.
The study found the sound-processing regions of the dogs’ brains responded more to dog- and infant-directed than adult-directed speech.
This marked the first neurological evidence that dog brains are tuned to speech directed specifically at them.
“Studying how dog brains process dog-directed speech is exciting, because it can help us understand how exaggerated prosody contributes to efficient speech processing in a nonhuman species skilled at relying on different speech cues,” explained Anna Gergely, co-first author of the study.
Scientists also found dog- and infant-directed speech sensitivity of dog brains was more pronounced when the speakers were women, and was affected by voice pitch and its variation.
These findings suggest the way we speak to dogs matters, and that their brain is specifically sensitive to the higher-pitched voice tone typical to the female voice.
“Remarkably, the voice tone patterns characterizing women’s dog-directed speech are not typically used in dog-dog communication – our results may thus serve evidence for a neural preference that dogs developed during their domestication,” said Anna Gábor, co-first author of the study.
“Dog brains’ increased sensitivity to dog-directed speech spoken by women specifically may be due to the fact that women more often speak to dogs with exaggerated prosody than men,” Dr Gabor said.
From Emaciated to Energetic: The Miraculous Makeover of a Neglected Roadside Pooch
Meet Florcita, a brave young girl whose story is a testament to the kindness of humanity and the indomitable spirit of the innocent. Despite facing unimaginable adversity, she has emerged stronger and more resilient than ever before.
Let me tell you a tale of both despair and hope that highlights the devastating aftermath of neglect and the valiant fight to save one life. Florcita’s rescue occurred in surroundings that would make any animal lover weep. She was denied sustenance and water and discovered in a state of immense agony. The extent of her injuries became evident when medical examinations disclosed an alarming truth: her blood sugar and white blood cell counts were alarmingly low, while her liver enzymes had reached dangerously high levels.
The rescue team acted swiftly to save Florcita’s life as her critical condition worsened with each passing day. She was struggling to breathe, and dehydration caused the veins to rupture. She also had severe diarrhea infested with parasites that made her condition worse. Onlookers could only empathize with the caretakers as they watched Florcita suffer.
Despite everything, there was a glimmer of hope when Florcita managed to eat some hand-shredded chicken. However, she was too weak to even open her mouth. Her situation remained perilous as her kidneys began to fail, and her body temperature kept dropping. The caretakers prayed for a miracle to give Florcita strength and help her 7kg body survive.
Despite the tireless efforts made to save Florcita, the outcome was devastating. Her body could not fight any longer, leaving her supporters heartbroken. The news of her passing spread like wildfire, affecting all those who had followed her journey. She has become a symbol of vulnerability and loss, forever remembered by those who hoped for her triumph.
Florcita’s tragic end highlights the need for compassion, responsible pet ownership, and the protection of innocent lives. It reveals the harsh reality of neglect and abuse on the weakest members of our society. The collective grief felt by her supporters emphasizes the profound impact that such stories can have on our consciousness.
Florcita’s story is a call to action, urging us to rise above apathy and indifference. We must take measures to prevent further instances of suffering and extend love and kindness to every living creature. Awareness and education are vital in fostering a world where tales like Florcita’s are replaced with stories of resilience, healing, and hope.
As we say goodbye to Florcita, we hold onto the hope that her spirit will live on. Let her memory be a catalyst for change, inspiring people to have compassion and a strong commitment to protecting and valuing animal lives. May she find peace in eternity and always be remembered as a symbol of the fight for a world where all beings can thrive without harm or suffering. Fly high, Florcita, like time itself. Let her memory be renewed each spring, reminding us of our responsibility to nurture and safeguard all living creatures. Please show your support by liking and sharing this story with your loved ones. You are encouraged to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Your involvement is vital in raising awareness and promoting change.
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