Ever wished your dog could talk back? For one woman, that fantasy might be a reality.
Meet Bunny, the “talking” Sheepadoodle captivating millions on TikTok. Bunny uses a soundboard with buttons representing words like “outside,” “play,” and even “love you.”
By pressing these buttons, she forms phrases that seem to communicate her desires and feelings. Her owner, Alexis Devine, introduced the device after being inspired by speech pathologist Christina Hunger, who taught her dog to “speak” using similar methods.
But is Bunny truly conversing?
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego are delving into this phenomenon. Their studies suggest that dogs trained with soundboards respond appropriately to specific words, indicating they might grasp more than just our tone of voice.
However, not all experts are convinced. Some argue that dogs may be responding to subtle cues from their owners rather than genuinely understanding language. A Newsweek article highlights this ongoing debate, pointing to the need for more research.
Regardless of the controversy, one thing’s clear: our bond with dogs is evolving in ways we never expected. Whether through buttons or barks, we’re discovering new ways to connect with our four-legged companions.
If you love pet-tech stories like this, check out how a dog collar now translates barks into emotions, or dive into the rise of AI-powered pet gadgets. You might also want to explore how dogs are being trained using AR and VR tools.
