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.
A pregnant mother dog, left at our doorstep when she was 9 weeks pregnant, has just welcomed 14 incredibly adorable puppies into the world!
In a heartwarming turn of events, the Instituto Amor em Patas (IAPA) recently encountered a pregnant mother dog who had been abandoned at their gate. Natajuli, as she came to be known, was nine weeks pregnant and in dire need of help. When the compassionate volunteers at IAPA found her, she was weak, unable to stand, and consumed by fear. Her vulnerable condition tugged at the hearts of those who came to her aid, and they embarked on a journey of care, support, and new beginnings.
Natajuli’s previous owner had left her at the gate, driven by fear of her impending motherhood. Initially, Natajuli’s fear manifested in her protective behavior, as she guarded herself and her unborn puppies from the unfamiliar faces of the volunteers. However, with time and patience, she began to open up and trust those who extended a helping hand.
One volunteer recounted the moment they first encountered Natajuli, sharing, “Look at her belly – it may contain 13 or 14 precious lives. We are planning to schedule her tests for tomorrow as she is quite weak.” The concern for Natajuli’s well-being was palpable, and the volunteers rallied to provide her with the care she needed.
The anticipation grew as the volunteers prepared for Natajuli’s ultrasound to ensure a safe delivery. Despite her weak state, Natajuli returned to the shelter under their watchful eyes. The momentous occasion finally arrived – Natajuli successfully gave birth to her first baby, a lively young boy.
The heartwarming surprise was unveiled as Natajuli continued to give birth – not to a few, but an astonishing 14 adorable puppies. The sight of Natajuli and her 14 babies evoked a mix of emotions in the volunteers, ranging from overwhelming joy to the sense of responsibility that lay ahead.
A trip to the vet followed, where Natajuli and her 14 little ones underwent check-ups, ultrasounds, and blood tests. Their health was a top priority, and the relief was evident when Natajuli emerged red-faced but strong. The puppies were no exception, each plump and healthy, a testament to the care and dedication poured into their well-being.
One volunteer shared their sentiment, saying, “I was nearly brought to tears when I saw Natajuli’s smile, and her puppies are just too adorable – I can’t help but want to shower them with affection.”
As this heartwarming journey unfolds, the volunteers find themselves faced with the delightful challenge of naming the 14 tiny wonders. An invitation is extended to all who share in their story to suggest names that hold meaning and resonance. These names will become a part of the tale of resilience, hope, and unwavering compassion that defines Natajuli’s journey and the lives she brought into the world.
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