Have you ever caught yourself rambling on in a deep conversation with your dog? Sure, they probably aren’t talking back much (unless, of course, you’ve got a very vocal husky), but it still makes you feel good to chat it up with them anyway. Well, as it turns out, there’s a reason for that, or several, actually.

Here are five facts that prove talking to your dog will benefit the both of you.

Trust us, we know you dog lovers out there don’t need a reason to have a daily gossip sesh with your furbaby. On the other hand, some of these facts just might surprise you.

1. Talking helps create and strengthen an unbreakable bond

Just as with human relationships, when it comes to building a lasting bond communication is key. That doesn’t just mean your body language, though there’s that, too. It also means letting your dog hear the sound of your voice throughout their day.

It might be easy to win a dog over with treats and belly scratches or butt rubs, but if you want that deep emotional bond that lasts a lifetime, you have to make sure your dog is 110% comfortable with you. That includes hearing the sound of your voice. Not just when you’re out for a walk or calling them in for treats, either.

Bonding with them through conversation when you’re lounging on the couch is a great way to maintain their attention and give them a reason to be in your presence.

2. They like to listen to you

Have you ever wondered why your dog makes such a great listener? Beyond the fact that they can’t talk back? Well, according to a UK study undertaken by scientists at the University of York, what kind of listener your dog is is determined by how you’re talking to them.

The study involved dogs listening to people speak in that “baby voice” we’re all guilty of using with our furbabies verses people speaking in natural tones as they would an adult. They also measured whether or not the subject matter of the conversation bore any relevance to how well they responded to the speaker.

For instance, they would include phrases like “do you want to go for a walk?” and “you’re a good dog” and measure their reaction against their response to non-dog related subject matter. As it turns out, they like to be talked to in a natural voice about things relating to them… just like most people do!

The study determined that regularly talking to your dog is the best practice for engaging their focus and interest.

3. They learn by listening to you

We all know that dogs are smart, but we may be underestimating just how smart. While we teach our dogs common commands like “stay”, “sit”, or “lay”, they tend to pick up on other words all on their own. They learn quickly what a ball or bath is, for instance, and they definitely understand what you’re saying when you talk about treats.

Though this is all common knowledge, you might be surprised to learn how great their capacity for vocabulary is. One dog named Chaser is famous for her extensive vocabulary. This scholarly Border Collie has proven her ability to understand over 1,000 different words and phrases. Even more impressive, she can actually display an appropriate response to simply structured sentences.

Though all dogs aren’t as well-versed as Chaser is, there’s no reason why they can’t be. Repetition is key here, so the words your dog understands are a reflection of what it is you choose to talk about with them, and how often.

4. Talking to them is good for your health

There’s a reason they say you can save money on a therapist by getting a dog. There have been countless studies proving the mental health benefits of being able to vent to an objective, non-judgmental audience. But let’s face it; there’s no possible way a human can completely forego making judgments. Just because your therapist isn’t saying it out loud doesn’t mean they aren’t slamming down the gavel in their own minds, even if just in passing.

Don’t get us wrong, professionals do manage to remove themselves from the situation personally, but your dog will listen to you without offering advice for free, and there’s no conflict of interest when it comes to hugging it out, either.

5. Talking involves body language and helps your dog learn vocabulary even faster

While your dog learns vocabulary through repetition, the body language that accompanies your talking helps them pick up on it even faster.

When you change the pitch of your voice based on subject matter or use hand gestures when talking about specific things or places, dogs learn to assess not just the words you’re speaking, but your facial expressions and body language as well.

So, if you really love your pooch and want them to be as smart as they can possibly be, keep chatting it up with them on the regular. They will only love you for it even more, and it’ll help you keep your sanity too.

Source: iHeartDogs/Animal Cognition/Chaser the BC