Citizen Science Initiative Examines Canine Communication Using Recorded-Word Soundboards

A large-scale citizen science initiative is currently examining the capacity of canines to convey complex thoughts to humans using pre-recorded word soundboards. The effort, named the Dog Communication Project, is directed by Federico Rossano, an associate professor in the Department of Cognitive Science at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) and the director of the Comparative Cognition Lab. The project applies rigorous scientific methodology to the social media phenomenon of 'talking dogs,' aiming to move beyond anecdotal observations.

The research team has compiled data from approximately 10,000 dogs and an additional 700 cats globally, establishing it as one of the most extensive studies of its kind in animal communication. The project draws partially from the pioneering work of speech pathologist Christina Hunger, whose Catahoula/Blue Heeler mix, Stella, reportedly mastered over 50 words on a soundboard and combined up to five words into phrases. Rossano’s team is focused on establishing empirical proof to address public skepticism regarding whether these animals genuinely comprehend the words or merely respond to subtle environmental cues.

To maintain scientific integrity and guard against phenomena such as the 'Clever Hans effect,' the study utilizes remote video analysis and controlled experiments. Early data analysis has indicated promising instances of contextual word use among some participating canines; for example, the sequence of 'outside' followed by 'potty' has been observed being used purposefully rather than randomly. Furthermore, a dedicated subset of participants demonstrates advanced expressive capabilities, with approximately 65 dogs in the study regularly using 100 or more buttons to articulate internal states and desires.

Initial findings tracking 152 animals over 21 months, encompassing 25,000 button presses, revealed that essential needs such as 'food,' 'treat,' 'outside,' and 'play' are the most frequently requested concepts. If the research conclusively confirms that dogs utilize these soundboards to communicate complex, context-specific thoughts, the implications for animal welfare are significant. The ability for pets to articulate when they feel ill, for instance, could facilitate earlier veterinary intervention. Rossano, whose work was featured in a NOVA PBS special in February 2026, posits that understanding these cognitive abilities could fundamentally alter human conduct and companion animal care. The research, involving collaborators like Leo Trottier of FluentPet and co-authors such as Amalia Bastos, continues to gather data from a global network of pet owners, advancing the study of interspecies communication.