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Doggie Dialect Interpreted by Computers

by Matt Van Hoven

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BY CATEGORY:
BY PET:

January 20, 2008

HUNGARY – Scientists studying patterns in dog barking have created software that can understand canine communication.

Csaba Molnár from Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary and his research team studied 6,000 barks from a group of 14 Hungarian sheep dogs – also known as Mudis.

In order to categorize the barks, different situations were set up in order to elicit specific responses from the animals. In all, fight, alone, ball, stranger, walk and play were derrived from the study.

Researchers say they were able to categorize the animals' sounds with 43 percent accuracy – which they say is leaps and bounds better than humans' ability to interpret those sounds.

The software is also able to determine with 52 percent accuracy the difference between each animals' particular 'voice.'

It isn't clear how such information could be used yet, but scientists have a few hypothises. They say dog owners, trainers and vets could use the technology to diagnose a dog's well being. It would also be a helpful way for dogs to alert their owners of strangers.

None of that is possible yet, but the research shows promise, docs say. Look out for advances in this technology in the future.

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new trends, dogs, health & science

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oldmaidcatwoman
oldmaidcatwoman
4 months ago
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I'm surprised the computer is better than humans at interpreting what a dog's bark means.
 
Katie M.
Katie M. (katielynn7)
6 months ago
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Sounds like an interesting study.
 
Sheryl J.
Sheryl J. (sheryl59)
7 months ago
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Interesting, I also would love to know what dogs hear when we talk to them. They are in tune to our feelings; think everyone would agree, I know they can understand tone and pitch, so on. But when we talk to them like our kids, do they really hear what we say or does it sound like a bunch mumbo jumbo?
 
charleshjr
charleshjr
9 months ago
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I doont think we needed this study, I can interrpet what my pet is trying to tell me and that is called bonding
 
buckking
buckking
9 months ago
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Is this really a necessary bit of informatin, kinda think not
 
Michaelyn
Michaelyn (MichaelynL)
9 months ago
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Interesting and complex like a good wine.
 
Chris M.
Chris M. (mex1chris)
9 months ago
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Very cool!
 
Rhonda T.
Rhonda T. (MrsRLT)
10 months ago
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There are all kinds of studies out there. I could see how this one would be interesting but it was 43% accurate. I think if you are around your dog and part of his life, you can understand what he wants, but once in a while I wish they did speak English.
 
Marisa M.
Marisa M. (meatandbones)
10 months ago
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Can't you tell when your pet is angry or happy when they bark? Do we really need someone to sit around and analyze it?
 
BuilderBob
BuilderBob
10 months ago
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I guess this is really important to know???
 
Ralph M.
Ralph M. (Ralph1)
10 months ago
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This is good news, not just for training purposes,but would help a vet treat an ailing dog.
 
Michaelyn
Michaelyn (MichaelynL)
11 months ago
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They always want food regardless of barks.
 
deegee2530
deegee2530
11 months ago
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hmmmm sounds like guess work.
 
Susan M.
Susan M. (mystifiedsim)
11 months ago
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Very interesting! Once in a while I can't figure out what my dog wants---this could help!
 
reemmy
reemmy
11 months ago
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I understand my pup just fine.
 
illbewaitingpet
illbewaitingpet
11 months ago
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Interesting but I think my dogs tell me loud and clear what they are saying!
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
11 months ago
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lori
lori (paawsproject)
1 year ago
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Interesting
 
Saskia M.
Saskia M. (saskia)
1 year ago
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interesting...
 
Keri W.
Keri W. (keri1312)
1 year ago
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Odd.
 
Amy R.
Amy R. (herplace)
1 year ago
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would love more follow up. i just know it's coming
 
Sharon S.
Sharon S. (sfsanders)
1 year ago
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I think after you are with a dog or cat for a while, you can sort of interpret what they are saying or what they want at least. It is body language and the tone of their bark or meow. Just different things that we put together to communicate with them. I dont' think we need fancy things like this.
 
Carly V.
Carly V. (CalliLover20)
1 year ago
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Did anyone ever think that maybe our dogs are saying things they don't want us to hear? haha you never know what kind of dirty mouths they may have
 
Michelle H.
Michelle H. (sinbad90)
1 year ago
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I think a lot of individual owners can tell what their animals are saying. I am a little skeptical of this. I remember some product being sold not long ago that was suppose to do this., but I don't think it is still being sold.
 
Barbara H.
Barbara H. (mothercat)
1 year ago
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My cats do talk to me. I try to interpert what they are saying. My son and
daughter think their cats are also communicating in cat talk more than ever before.
It is a great idea to eventully have soft ware to help us know what they think
and maybe let them know what we are saying. Would all animals benefit from
knowing what humans think and say? Oh well, just a crazy thought now that
someone is working on the problem. My computer is waiting for the final answer.

 
Lynn C.
Lynn C. (Lynn1)
1 year ago
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I have so often wanted to understand how animals think ~ how do they work through problems, how do they dream? It would be wonderful if SOMETHING could tell us!
 
mARY ANN M.
mARY ANN M. (foxflower)
1 year ago
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43% accuracy. Isn't that less than random guessing? I suppose it depends on the parameters of the tests and number of possibilities though.

It would be great if we could decipher what our animals are saying to us. I have parrots...they just tell me. This morning Opus said "I'm sorry" after I turned my back on him for biting me.
 
Sue R.
Sue R. (suerafferty)
1 year ago
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Technology is just amazing. It would be so much simpler trying to help my dog if I knew what she was telling me. Then again, I probably don't want to know everything she has to say! I notice a difference in tone and pitch but to really be able to identify it would be great.
 
Kim T.
Kim T. (kimboli08)
1 year ago
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this would be so great I would love to know what my dog was saying
 
forrest1999
forrest1999
1 year ago
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Go on!
 
Barbara H.
Barbara H. (mothercat)
1 year ago
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Someday you may have to put a computer in your horse barn. Maybe horses
have more to say than smaller animals.
 
dsnyder
dsnyder
1 year ago
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I am a bit skeptical about the usefulness of the results. Just because we can identify different sounds does not mean we can interpret them--plus the sounds might all vary by individual dog or by bread etc which would make it next to impossible to determine what any particular dog was saying.
 
loishill
loishill
1 year ago
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I think this would be hard to prove
 
Anna
Anna (xDemolitionLoverx)
1 year ago
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Wow, this sounds amazing. I hope to find out more about this soon!
 
Morgan
Morgan (kcovey)
1 year ago
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There was an English woman on Oprah last year who deciphered baby cries. If I hadn't seen this, I would find this dog interpretor unbelievable. Can't wait to find out more about this
 
Connie G.
Connie G. (cgleason)
1 year ago
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If I didn't have to take out a second mortgage to buy the thing I would definitely invest. I would love to know what my dog was saying. She tries so hard to talk to us. She is really smart and makes all sorts of noises when she wants something or is happy to see us.
 
Marissa N.
Marissa N. (Marissa1992)
1 year ago
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It would be cool to know what your dog is saying.
 
D. Rene
D. Rene (mooredr3)
1 year ago
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More research is needed.
 
Heather
Heather (littlepeeps)
1 year ago
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I don't think I want to know what my dog is saying. What if they are forever teen agers?
 
LynnLucyDoris
LynnLucyDoris
1 year ago
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Well they get our hopes up...and then say most of what they are researching is not possible yet. I guess it can serve a purpose...but I wonder if the money could be spent more wisely...researching animal health issues.
 
Hughie
Hughie
1 year ago
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Interesting idea. More research is needed.
 
Ashlee S.
Ashlee S. (ashleerdh)
1 year ago
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I think way more research needs to be done here
 
jana s.
jana s. (flowerhead910)
1 year ago
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More research is needed, I like that they are doing it.
 
Natalie
Natalie (Doulton)
1 year ago
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An interesting story. The number of dogs tested is so very small, however. Could different breeds "speak" in different tones?
 
loosey
loosey
1 year ago
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43% doesn't sound too convincing!
 
Kim
Kim (norswl1)
1 year ago
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I don't know.........I think dogs are individual and not sure about this.........
 
Satana H.
Satana H. (ksatana)
1 year ago
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This could be very interesting. Who wouldn't want to know what their dog's thinking? Not so sure I buy into it tho.
 
Catherine T.
Catherine T. (Cate)
1 year ago
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I'm a little skeptical of this...but one can't be sure. 43 percent isn't that high...
 
Nikki R.
Nikki R. (nikkirhinehart)
1 year ago
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I've always thought my dog understands what I am saying/asking. She even answers me--she has a different bark for yes and no, etc. Atleast I don't feel las nuts now!
 
jan l.
jan l. (janlincicome)
1 year ago
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I agree with most of the other comments that we can recognize our dog's barks. I can tell when there is really someone on the property, or when they are barking for another reason. We have a herd of deer that come almost every day and they have a different bark when telling me that the deer are out there.
 
Lana S.
Lana S. (critterfriend)
1 year ago
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Unless they can tell me everything my dog is saying, this won't help me. I understand almost all of my dogs barks! I definately know when a stranger is within 200 yards of our house! I know in or out, food etc. I would rather they fix it to where dogs understand more of what I am saying, but they also understand almost all of what I say. Sometimes they prefer (like my husband) to ignore me! Lol
 
loishill
loishill
1 year ago
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