From belly scratches to long walks, there are many things your dog loves. According to a recent study, there are even certain words that dogs understand and love to hear. At Anasazi Animal Clinic, we want to help pet parents keep their furry friends happy at home. Read on to find out which words dogs like to hear the most, so you can start using them more often.
What Words Do Dogs Like to Hear?
In 2021, the experts at OnBuy.com in the UK published the results of their three-month study. Researchers surveyed 4,389 pet owners, asking which words and phrases they believed their dogs liked to hear, and selected the most popular responses.
Then, they worked with 60 dogs of different breeds, ages, and sizes by monitoring their heart rate as each word or phrase was pronounced. The words and phrases that raised each dog’s heart rate the most were determined to be the ones dogs love to hear. The top three results include:
1: Walkies
Researchers found a 36% increase in the heart rate of dogs at the mention of “walkies.” Walks are a great way to keep your dog happy and healthy. Walking your dog regularly helps prevent obesity, joint stiffness, and digestive issues. Luckily, there are plenty of dog-friendly hiking trails in the Phoenix metro area, so you can enjoy scenic walks that your dog will also love.
2: Dinner/Food/Eat
Dogs love a good meal, so it’s no surprise that the words “dinner,” “food,” and “eat” caused a 31% increase in heart rate. However, just because your dogs love to eat doesn’t mean everything they eat is good for them. There are many human foods that aren’t safe for dogs, like almonds, macadamia nuts, and chocolate. Overeating and eating too quickly can also cause health problems, such as bloat (gastric dilation).
3: Treat
Naturally, the word “treat” is another favorite for dogs. Whether store-bought or homemade, treats are often used to reward good behavior. However, you should avoid giving your dog too many treats each day—they should never make up more than 10% of your dog’s diet.
Are There Words That Dogs Hate?
While the study didn’t focus on the words that dogs hate, it did reveal the phrase they love the least is “shall we go home?” Other least-loved words and phrases included “roll over,” “speak,” and “come on then.”
Veterinary Clinic in Gilbert, Arizona
It’s not just words that make dogs happy—it’s clearly the actions associated with them, like going for a walk or eating a tasty treat. The best way to keep your dog happy is by keeping them healthy. Regular exercise and a good diet are essential, but so are wellness checkups.
Anasazi Animal Clinic in Gilbert provides a wide range of services to help keep your dog happy and healthy. If you have any questions about your dog’s health, diet, or exercise, ask us at your next appointment. Give us a call at 480-497-0505 today to schedule a visit.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (8/26/2022). Photo by Joseph Pearson on Unsplash