New york: Some dogs have demonstrated an extraordinary ability to learn new words merely by eavesdropping on conversations, according to recent research. While the majority of dogs are adept at following commands such as ‘sit’ or ‘stay,’ a select few have shown they can expand their vocabulary beyond simple cues by listening to human interactions.

According to United News of Bangladesh, a study involving ten dogs, including a Border collie named Basket and a Labrador named Augie, revealed that these dogs could learn the names of new toys by observing their owners introduce the toys during conversations with others. Remarkably, seven out of the ten dogs successfully retrieved the correct toy later on, even when it was hidden from their view.

“This is the first time that we see a specific group of dogs that can learn labels from overhearing interactions,” said Shany Dror, the study’s author. The findings highlight the advanced cognitive abilities of certain dogs and suggest that they may be capable of learning from subtle cues, similar to how young children acquire language, although the brain mechanisms in adult dogs might differ.

Only a limited number of other animals, such as parrots and apes, have shown this capability, prompting further questions about how dogs develop such skills. The study opens new avenues for understanding canine intelligence and the potential for dogs to learn in ways previously thought to be exclusive to humans and a few other species.