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Can Dogs Read?

written by on November 2nd, 2009 | 4 comments

I recently read an article in People magazine about a dog, named Willow, who supposedly knows how to read. Apparently, her dog trainer mother silently holds up signs like “sit up” and Willow responds by actually sitting up.

While some argue the dog isn’t actually reading but rather discriminating between the various shapes of the letters, her mother says Willow can read hand-written or printed signs, demonstrating complete comprehension. What?! This all sounds a little crazy to me. But then again, dogs are capable of much more than we give them credit for.

What does your pet do that surprises you?

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4 comments | Category: Pet News

  • Ally

    As a trainer, I taught this to my two dogs and I beleive they are just discriminating in the differences of the letters. The word SIT looks very different from the word LIE-DOWN and although it took a lot of repetition it seems as if they “read” to onlookers.

    One thing that does surprise me about my dogs though is their ability to tune into my body. My dogs knew I was pregnant before I did and continue to treat me different throughout my pregnancy…such as not jumping up even when asked to, following me more than usual from room to room and wanting to cuddle a lot more than they ever did before.

  • Alex

    I taught my dog to respond to written signs such as “sit” and “down” too. However, dogs have no language center in their brain. Thus, they are not reading, just learning to respond to the written word as they do to the spoken word or a hand signal. Of course, I still tell people my dog can read because it makes him sound super smart :) but it’s important to remember that they are not actually synthesizing the language the way a human does.

  • Gina Y

    My pup, Duke, says “maaa-maaaa”, so then I melt and do whatever he wants…usually it’s just a belly rub he’s looking for. But it slays me when he “talks”!!!

  • Bill

    Agreed Brooke – this sounds more than a little crazy.