A recent study by scientists showed that using ‘baby-talk’ can help build a bond between the dog and a owner.

This is especially relevant to cockapoos puppies, perhaps more than any other dog, because they are so sociable.

The University of York study revealed that dogs respond best to their owners when spoken to in ‘dog-speak,’ the same high-pitched voice with exaggerated emotion that parents use with their children.

Dr Katie Slocombe from The University of York’s Department of Psychology said: “This high-pitched rhythmic speech is common in human interactions with dogs in western cultures, but there isn’t a great deal known about whether it benefits a dog in the same way that it does a baby.”

During a series of tests, dogs, were spoken to by one person using a high pitched voice and another using a normal adult voice. Scientists then observed not only the attention of the dog during the speech but also which speaker the dogs wanted to physically interact with.

Department of Psychology PhD student Alex Benjamin said it seemed dogs were more likely to favour the speaker who used a high pitch.

In additional tests researchers looked at whether using dog-directed speech also had an impact on the communication and bond between dog and human. In these tests one person used phrases such as ‘you’re a good dog’, and ‘shall we go for a walk?’, and then another person used no dog-related content, such as ‘I went to the cinema last night.’

Again the dogs responded much better to the person who talked about dog-related content.
When the different types of speech were mixed up dogs did not show a preference for either speaker, indicating that it is most important to use a combination of both ‘dog-directed’ speech and dog-related content to communicate most effectively with your dog, and to create the best bond possible.

Alex concluded: “This research suggests that dogs need to hear dog-relevant words spoken in a high-pitched emotional voice in order to find it relevant.”

So f you are looking to bond with your cockapoo puppy, speak to it him or her more, and in a high-pitched voice. After all, it is good to talk.

If you are considering buying one of our Felindre cockapoo puppies for sale, and would like to know more then please contact us for more information.