Listen&Learn: The Dog Who Knows 1,000 Words

Posted by: Jaksyn Peacock

Learn about Chaser, the border collie known as the smartest dog in the world.

Pre-listening vocabulary

command: an order to do something
border collie: a specific dog breed
psychologist: a scientist who studies the mind
distinct: separate; different
identify: to recognize what something is
insist: to claim something persistently

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:23 — 1.3MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | More

Gapfill exercise

Most dogs are enough to understand some important commands from their owners. They may even know the names of a few different toys, or recognize when their owners are offering them . However, a border collie named Chaser is known as the world’s smartest dog. Throughout Chaser’s life, a psychologist named Dr. Pilley trained her every day to recognize the names of her toys. Eventually, she proved that she could understand the of over 1,000 distinct words. She could even recognize if a word was unfamiliar, and use that information to identify toys she’d never seen before. Her ability to learn and language seemed unique, but researchers involved in Chaser’s insisted that any dog could be taught the same thing. Chaser died in 2019 at 15 years old, but her life helped scientists learn more about how dogs think.

Comprehension questions

[wp_quiz id=”20025″]

Discussion/essay questions

Do you have a pet? If so, how do you train your pet to follow commands?
Do you agree that all dogs are capable of learning language just like Chaser? Why or why not?

Transcript

Most dogs are intelligent enough to understand some important commands from their owners. They may even know the names of a few different toys, or recognize when their owners are offering them treats. However, a border collie named Chaser is known as the world’s smartest dog. Throughout Chaser’s life, a psychologist named Dr. Pilley trained her every day to recognize the names of her toys. Eventually, she proved that she could understand the meanings of over 1,000 distinct words. She could even recognize if a word was unfamiliar, and use that information to identify toys she’d never seen before. Her ability to learn and understand language seemed unique, but researchers involved in Chaser’s training insisted that any dog could be taught the same thing. Chaser died in 2019 at 15 years old, but her life helped scientists learn more about how dogs think.

Written and recorded by Jaksyn Peacock for EnglishClub

Search for more Listen&Learn stories:

Subscribe to this podcast

RSS feed

24 comments

Alejandro says:

language seemed unique, but researchers involved in Chaser’s recognize the names of her toys. Eventually, she proved that she could
Mark Anthony Ballon says:

The dog is like a super hero
hepisipa says:

the dog was very quit smart
hepisipa says:

the dog was very guit smart
cristina says:

There are many intelligent animals such as pigs, cats, dolphins. But I don’t know of any animal that recognizes so many words. It really is amazing.
Alexandra Merary says:

Es bueno saber k los animales puede hacer caso dependiendo como los entrenen
Cathy says:

a dog is very loyal and kind, owners of a dog love their dog like loving their children.
Legendguy says:

wow, amazed dog.
very interested.
Caridadgomo says:

I think what some dogs are more intelligets than other people.
Siomara de Cássia Miranda says:

Chaser’s history is deeplyinteresting! I loved it!
Thanks for sharing!
Trần Lâm Bảo says:

This web ís fantastic. I can learn a lot of things in here
mari carmen says:

Dogs are the most intelligent animal in the world.
they can be our most faithful company every day
BD says:

Intelligent Dogs vs Man.

Sometimes Man leave from their duties.. But Dogs always do for their Owners.
Naima says:

Dogs are verry intelligent… I have cat 😻 she take long time to leurn… We need to call her name meny times to come… I think dogs are mores faster understanding than 😻…. I am not 100% sure but I think 🤔…. But both are lovely and very kind pet.
Michael says:

Dogs certainly have their place and one has to admire their loyalty to their owners, and the ones who help blind people and assist with searches and rescues certainly deserve credit.

But I am, and will always be, a cat person. Cats may not be as obedient as dogs but they are definitely more intelligent. And cleaner. And cuter.
Theresa says:

Dogs are more intelligent than any human gives them credit for. We need them so much more than they need us. Dogs are angels sent to us to teach, love, protect, and foster the good in humans through the love they give us. Protect and love these beautiful and loving wingless angels.
Ronaldo says:

the dog was very intelligent because he understood everything he said
wissam zghaib says:

thank you very interested
Evelina says:

Dear Jaksyn,

Thank you so much for such intresting information! 🙂
It is quite amusing that our tiniest friends are so intelligent and capable of understanding speech.

Wish you all the best,
Evelina
VIVIAN AKINYOSOYE says:

Thank you. This is quite educative.
The King Of Love From IRAN says:

Thank you very much,
Christine PENNEC says:

wonderful. This story is true. Pets are intelligent and understand few words
Jocelyne says:

Yes I have a pet it is a cat named Grisous. I don’t know if he is intelligent but he understands a few words. I love it. Sometimes he is very special and delicat.
Asma says:

Thanks for this worth learning