The understanding of language is different for a dog, to use your example. The reason that human children start to speak when they do is because they are also processing and learning to use language whereas an animal is learning to understand language. It's a whole different process. The most ridiculous example of this in the world is the book Wicked. Alphaba's parents didn't recognize her intelligence because she chose not to speak, and only listen.
The understanding of language is different for a dog, to use your example. The reason that human children start to speak when they do is because they are also processing and learning to use language whereas an animal is learning to understand language. It's a whole different process. The most ridiculous example of this in the world is the book Wicked. Alphaba's parents didn't recognize her intelligence because she chose not to speak, and only listen.
The average dog probably doesn't live in an English speaking country
damn i didnt think that through very well did i? probably should have said "words" but its too late for that now
I mean neither does the average 1 year old baby
But all adult dogs know less of everything than an adult human.