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What Science Reveals About Dogs and Baby Talk

By Shelby Neely, VMD, MA •

Updated on January 16, 2024

•

Person playing with their dog on the couch — Image via Freepik

Who can resist speaking to their dog in that high-pitched, sing-song voice we often reserve for babies? We are all guilty of it, and now it seems that there is a good reason for it. Fascinatingly, a 2023 study indicates that our canine friends respond particularly well to infant-directed speak — also known as baby talk. So, what does science say about dogs and baby talk? In this article, we'll uncover how our four-legged friends interpret our coos and baby-talk conversations.

What exactly is infant-directed speech?

When communicating with infants, you may unknowingly adopt a method known as infant-directed speech (IDS). You might not even realize when this subtle shift happens; in the presence of an irresistibly precious baby, it seems to just happen naturally.

IDS is characterized by:

A higher pitch
A wider pitch range and variability — a sort of 'sing-song' voice
Exaggerated vowel pronunciation

Many people use this type of speech when talking to their dogs, which leads us to the next question.

Do dogs like baby talk?

Canines seem to have an appreciation for high-pitched, melodious chatter, commonly associated with baby talk. According to scientific findings, dogs respond more favorably towards exaggerated dog-directed speech or infant-directed speech than they do to normal adult-directed speech.

So, what does this mean exactly? It implies that adopting a baby voice approach when speaking to our furry friends might not be as silly as some may think. In fact, you are effectively enhancing rapport using pup-approved language techniques confirmed by science.

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How do we know dogs like baby talk?

In a humane and non-invasive experiment, the dog subjects were played recorded speech from real-life interactions. The samples included voices belonging to 12 different men and women using both high-pitched (baby-like) as well as normal or adult-directed speech.

While the canines listened in the lab environment specially set up for them, their brain activity was measured using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans (fMRI). These advanced tools helped researchers peek inside a dog’s mind, something which is ordinarily difficult or impossible to do because as much as we think we understand them, our furry friends cannot use words to tell us how they think or feel.

What resulted was intriguing. In response to the high-pitched (infant- and dog-directed) voices, dogs’ sound-processing regions lit up considerably more than when exposed to regular adult speech patterns. This implies that baby talk grabs their attention and they are drawn towards these types of exaggerated tones and pitches. This study goes a long way in proving what many pet owners have long believed: our pets do appear to enjoy being spoken to with affectionate baby talk.

How we can use baby talk to enhance communication with pets

Speaking to our pets using infant-directed speech does more than just sound cute — it paves the way for enhanced communication and connection with our canine companions. Here’s how we can use it to our benefit and that of our furry friends:

Training. Using baby talk while training your dog can help them pay closer attention to you. The high-pitched and exaggerated speech is stimulating and helps the dogs consistently focus on an owner's words or commands. This could be especially beneficial in their early formative stages when puppies are being boisterous and don’t want to pay attention.
Socialization. When it comes to socialization, baby talk serves as a friendly and non-threatening form of communication, making your dog feel safe. This can help when introducing your dog to new environments or unfamiliar faces — human or canine. The whiny tones characteristic of a baby voice should soothe them during potentially stressful situations, facilitating their confident exploration of newly introduced company.
Bonding. Baby talk with your pup can do more than catch their interest; it’s also likely to create an emotional bond. Just as humans naturally use softened voices when trying to comfort loved ones or infants, using baby talk may do the same with your pet, helping them feel safe around us.
Behavior and mood. Ultimately, baby talk can have a tremendously positive effect on both the behavior and mood of your dog, leading to improved obedience levels. Employing these communication techniques — alongside other proven approaches — can lead to an overall stronger owner-dog bond.

Common misconceptions about dogs and baby talk

In the world of canine communication, a prevailing myth suggests that dogs are oblivious to baby talk. However, a deeper look reveals a more nuanced reality as we explore the intriguing dynamics between our four-legged friends and the endearing language we often reserve for babies.

MYTH: Dogs don’t understand baby talk
TRUTH: You may have heard that dogs don’t understand baby talk. It’s a commonly held belief, even leading some to make fun of their friends or family members for talking to dogs like humans and using baby voices. However, they do understand the different pitches and variations in baby talk and actually react positively to this form of speech.

MYTH: Baby talk only works for baby dogs
TRUTH: While there’s no denying that puppies often respond with more enthusiasm to our high-pitched dog voices than their adult counterparts, there’s no evidence to suggest that grown dogs don’t react positively to this form of communication. You might not get the same excited jumps as with a pup, but rest assured your older pet still appreciates the endearing tones and overall intention.

MYTH: All dogs react the same way to baby talk
TRUTH: While it seems clear that dogs do, in fact, respond well to baby talk, it would be an extreme oversimplification to say they all respond positively and the same way. Just as humans have unique preferences, so do our canine companions. This can vary depending on breed, temperament, and past experiences.

Potential flaws with the study

While this study provides valuable insights into the fascinating world of canine communication, it is far from definitive. Any scientific research has its limitations, and we must consider these when forming our conclusions. One potential limiting factor with this particular study was the small sample size used. Having more subjects participating could shed even more light on how widespread these tendencies are among dogs in general.

As we look to future studies for conclusive answers about why and how exactly dogs react as they do to human speech, including baby talk, there’s no shortage of interesting directions researchers might take.

Moving forward

An intriguing future direction could be to incorporate stray pups into such studies. By doing this, we might unlock insights about whether liking baby talk is a reaction wired in the canine brain or if it’s more of a nurtured response brought about through constant human interactions in the home. However, doing so would present several obstacles as untrained or fearful dogs would require considerable patience as well as special techniques in order to coax them into the scanner tube for imaging.

Though it’s interesting to see scientific data confirming that our canine buddies do respond favorably to baby talk, further investigation must take place in order to fully grasp this phenomenon.

Our pups are truly part of the family

As our understanding and bond with our pups continues to evolve, it is easy to see how far we have come in terms of pet care.

From engaging them with baby talk - creating deep emotional connections - to providing comprehensive pet insurance policies as a protective measure against unforeseen medical expenses, we’re demonstrating genuine advances in compassionate and responsible pet ownership. These practices highlight not just our affection but also our commitment to their well-being, mirroring the way we care for human family members. This reinforces without question the sentiment that our pets are not just animals living under our roof - they truly are cherished members of our family.

Most people speak to dogs with infant-directed speech (IDS), which is characterized by a higher pitch, wider range in pitch, and exaggerated vowel sounds typically used with babies.
Researchers used functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scans to evaluate the brain activity of dogs as they listened to recorded speech, in both high-pitched and standard tones.
Research indicates that dogs tend to respond more positively to infant-direct speech than they do to regular speech directed toward adults.
The stimulating qualities of IDS can assist in grabbing your dog's attention and maintaining their concentration during training. The friendly and non-aggressive tone can be helpful when introducing your dog to new surroundings or unfamiliar individuals. It may also enhance the emotional connection between you and your pet.
Contrary to popular belief, not only puppies respond positively; even older dogs appreciate this type of conversing. However, individual dogs' reactions vary depending on factors like breed, temperament, and past experiences.
Future research would benefit from involving more subjects and possibly including stray dogs in the mix to help researchers establish whether this positive response to baby talk is innate or learned and developed from human interaction.