The exploration of human-animal communication has long been a contentious field, often marred by anthropomorphism, ethical dilemmas, and unreliable science. However, Federico Rossano, a cognitive science professor at the University of California, San Diego, believes there is value in revisiting this complex area of study. Inspired by a TikTok trend, Rossano turned his attention to the potential of using push-button devices to analyze how dogs communicate.
Unlike the isolated, often ethically questionable one-animal studies of the past, Rossano’s research involved a much larger sample size, examining the communication abilities of 152 dogs equipped with push-button devices. With the dogs remaining in their home environments, Rossano ensured that the study was ethically sound and that the data could reflect broader trends. The findings were promising, raising significant questions about dogs’ ability not only to respond to human cues but also to actively initiate communication.
These compelling results open up new possibilities for understanding the cognitive and communicative capacities of dogs, challenging traditional views on animal language and cognition.