Studies are showing dogs to be vastly more intelligent than we have previously given them credit for.
They pick up on subtle cues from humans (and other dogs) that not even Pan Troglodytes has a clue about.
I’m waiting for them to simply put a TV monitor underwater with a long dictionary type narrative playing in the background and some recording instruments. Along with dolphins.
We could be talking to them in three or four years easy if there was an effort.
We're talking to them now. The problem is their intelligence is limited, so they're not talking back.
You are right dogs do pick up on subtle clues. The minute I shut my laptop my dogs know it is time to “go to bed”. Even before I get up out of my chair,they have started to the bedroom.