This Valentine’s Day, all we want is love—from the special people (and dogs) in our lives! As a dog owner, you naturally crave your furry friend’s affection. But what if your pup seems uninterested or easily distracted? Don’t worry; we’ve got a scientifically proven trick to grab their attention and strengthen your bond!
Ready? Well, the secret lies in pointing at a specific object and talking. It’s this kind of trick called referential communication, which is an “early-developing aspect” of human interaction. According to scientists, it plays a role in how babies learn to speak, which is a concept that may still be amazing to some of us.
Even non-human animals, such as dogs, show signs of following referential communication but engaging with dogs in interactions is still unknown to the field. Go and try it out with your furry friend!
Dogs and Human Directional Conversation
Take this problem as an example: You may struggle to get your dog to pay attention to their surroundings, such as the chewed-up slippers or a gift that was left on the rug. To better understand, previous studies suggested that dogs can possibly respond to human directional communication selectively, reflexively, or gradually understanding the intent behind this.
A new study by researchers from the Max-Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany used mobile eye tracking to observe dogs as they react to human communication. The study took place with about 20 dogs wearing eye-tracking headgear, which recorded their eye movements.
The researchers tracked the gaze of the dogs while their owners tried to get their attention to hidden food rewards using different cues. Five approaches were used by the owners, including pointing, pointing and gazing, only gazing, fake throwing, and communicating without action.
It was then that the scientists pointed out that with just gestures, dogs already shifted their gaze towards their owner’s hand. However, when these gestures are combined with directed gaze, dogs shift their attention towards the hidden treat.
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Combination is Key
The results were published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B journal. It reveals that the combination of pointing and staring is the most effective way of alerting dogs to a hidden treat. In comparison, methods such as fake throwing turn a dog’s gaze away towards an indirect direction. However, it doesn’t increase the frequency of their gaze shifts to a specific object.
Researchers mentioned that the results show that a combination of pointing and gazing increased a dog’s attention toward their designated referent. The study suggested that dogs may maintain their longer attention on an object when owners point and gaze in a “significantly above chance level.”
Scientists also suspect that the two different communication signals of gazing and pointing may add up to the increased likelihood of shifting a dog’s attention. Scientists also say that it’s possible for the two cues to work together, which exceeds the sum of the individual effects on a dog’s attention and choice of behavior. The combination of these cues is seemingly the key to catching your dog’s attention.
Distractions
Another trick of distraction came from the American Kennel Club that you can also apply when capturing your dog’s attention:
- Hold a treat over to their nose and slowly move your hand to the side of your body.
- As soon as the dog looks towards your face, then give them the treat.
- After several repetitions, your dog will begin to understand. But now, wait for direct eye contact.
- When your dog is choosing to look at you, then add in a verbal cue.
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From The Club
With all of the dogs that I had, I remember having no problem getting all of my dogs’ attention, so I’m quite surprised that some dog owners struggle with such. I observed that my dog often listens to my voice and they instantly know the mood that I’m trying to say. Also, I often use the fake-throwing method and I instantly have their attention.