Dogs Really Do Know What You're Saying, Study Suggests

BOSTON (CBS) – Be careful what you say around your dog. Man's best friend understands more language than you might think, according to a new study.

Researchers in Hungary have concluded that dogs can comprehend and respond to language.

Scientists recorded the brain activities of dogs as they heard various phrases. When the dogs heard things like "good boy" or "well done," they responded stronger than when they heard neutral words live "nevertheless" or "however."

"Dog brains care about both what we say and how we say it," lead researcher Attila Andics told the Associated Press. "Praise can work as a reward only if both word meaning and intonation match."

Dogs also responded strongly to a positive, cheerful tone of voice.

The study was first published in the research journal Science.