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8 Words Dogs Love Hearing, According to Trainers

By Beth Ann Mayer Parade Pets

Updated May 16, 2026 3:21 AM

A dog who is excited hearing a word it loves. Getty Images skynesher

Dogs may not understand human language the way we do, but they are incredibly good at learning which sounds consistently lead to good things-and that's exactly why there are certain words dogs love hearing in their everyday lives. However, not all pet parents know what those terms and phrases are. To help you out, we rounded up 8 words dogs love to hear, according to a trainer.

And while every dog is different, trainers say there are a handful of everyday words that tend to stand out more than others-each tied to moments dogs naturally love. "Dogs like certain words more than others, usually because of their associations or the context in which they are spoken," says Annie-Mae Levy, CFBA, a professional dog trainer at Woofz, "Dogs are amazing at pattern recognition, so they will absolutely pick up on which words are more likely to lead to positive outcomes that they enjoy than others, which mean nothing to them or even something negative."

How do you know which words and phrases make your dog happy when you say them? Levy says you can look for clues about which words your dog adores. "When a dog loves a certain word, they will show loose body language, wag their tails, approach you and perhaps even appear to become excitable depending on their perception of what the word means," Levy shares.

Not sure where to start or how to talk to your dog? Levy gives you a leg up by sharing eight words dogs love hearing. After all, sometimes knowng what to say to your dog can be tricky, especially since dogs can't communicate by speaking or talk to express how they feel.

How Many Words Do Dogs Understand?

When it comes to dog communication, the amount of words a pup can understand varies from dog to dog. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, dogs can understand as few as 15 words to over 200, which means well-trained dogs are on the same level as a two-year-old toddler.

Through repetition, tone of voice, and experience, dogs begin to pick up on specific dog communication cues that signal something positive is about to happen. Whether it's play, food, walks, or attention, they quickly learn to associate familiar words with outcomes they enjoy. Over time, these become some of the words dogs understand best and the words dogs like hearing, not because of the language itself, but because of the pattern behind it.

8 Words Dogs Love Hearing

There are some words dogs love hearing, but why your pup's tail wags at 100 miles per hour upon hearing them may remain a mystery to you. Below, Levy takes you inside your pup's mind to let you know what they're thinking when these simple words roll off your tongue and why they like these words so much.

1. Their name

Very little gets your dog's heart pumping with excitement more than their name. So, when it comes to words dogs understand best and like hearng, their name is usually at the top of the list. It's one of the most important dog training words because it works as a direct dog communication signal that something is meant specifically for them.

"A dog's name indicates that something is about to involve them, as we will usually say their name to get their attention," Levy says. "For many dogs, this will trigger excitement and positive feelings."

Saying your dog's name also strengthens dog-human bonding, reinforces focus and helps create reliable behavior cues that make everyday communication between dogs and their humans smoother and more meaningful.

2. "Treat"

You're likely not surprised to see "treat" among the words dogs love hearing. In fact, just rustling the bag will likely make your dog happy.

"Many dogs recognize the word 'treat' as something we say just before we give them an extra tasty snack," Levy says. "This is for dogs with a higher food drive, which can trigger immediate attention and very positive feelings. In fact, many owners use this to get their dog's attention when they're being ignored."

3. "Leash"

What's a word dogs love hearing? Levy says saying the word "leash" makes your dog feel happy because they know it means you're preparing to go out for a walk.

"If 'leash' is said in this context enough times, it will become associated with the excitement of going out for a walk and thus becomes a word that a dog will love," Levy reports.

4. "Hello"

For many dogs, "hello" isn't just a greeting-it can become one of those words dogs love hearing because it often marks the start of something happening around them.

"Most of our dogs will first hear us saying ‘hello' when greeting someone on a dog walk or at the front door," Levy notes. "For a social dog who likes strangers, this word can cause lots of excitement, as historically, it's probably led to some attention from a new person."

Over time, dogs begin to recognize patterns in everyday speech, which is why simple dog training words like "hello" can become meaningful. While it's not a command, it can still act as a subtle signal that something new, interesting, or social is about to happen, especially for outgoing, people-loving pups.

5. "Yay"

Among the words dogs love hearing, "yay!" stands out as a simple but powerful dog communication cue that instantly signals happiness, praise and rewards.

"If you tend to celebrate with your dog and exclaim ‘yay!' when they get something right or before praising them with food or affection, then this word can become one that they love as it's known to precede good things," Levy notes.

For many dogs, "yay!" becomes more than just a sound, it turns into one of those words dogs understand best as a clear promise of praise, love, and positive experiences.

6. "Park"

If you're wondering what words dogs understand best, trainers say "park" is a classic example, especially for dogs who love their walks. It's one of those simple dog training words that quickly becomes meaningful through routine and positive reinforcement for dogs.

Levy shares that many dogs become visibly excited when they hear the word "park," often barking, spinning, or rushing to the door as soon as it's said. "They know that they're about to go outside," she explains. "This word only needs to be used a few times before a walk for it to become one of their favorite words dogs love hearing."

7. "Car"

Not all dogs react the same way to the word "car," but for many pups it becomes one of those words dogs love hearing when it's consistently linked to positive experiences. Dog trainers say that through positive reinforcement for dogs, pets quickly learn to associate certain words with outcomes they enjoy, like walks, parks, or quality time with their humans.

Levy explains that for some dogs, especially those who already enjoy travel, "car" becomes a powerful dog communication cue. "Some dogs love the car as it signifies extra special walks or days out with their humans," Levy raves. "If you tend to say ‘car' to your dog just before trips that they enjoy, this will quickly be a word that they recognize and love."

Over time, simple dog training words like "car" can build anticipation, strengthen dog bonding, and create happy emotional associations. For many dogs, it's not just a word, it's a signal that something fun, rewarding and full of adventure is about to happen

8. "Fetch"

Not all dogs are obsessed with fetch, but for many playful pups, it's one of the most exciting words they can hear. Dog trainers say the word "fetch" often creates instant excitement because dogs associate it with fun, exercise, rewards, and bonding time with their humans.

"For dogs who like to retrieve-especially those bred for this job, such as Labradors and Spaniels-the word ‘fetch' can trigger a huge surge in dopamine as they know they're about to do their favorite thing," Levy explains.

What Are the Best Ways to Communicate with Dogs?

Dogs may not understand every word pet parents say, but they're experts at reading people's tone, expressions and energy. Because of this, the best way to communicate with dogs is through simple, loving words paired with consistency and positive experiences. Trainers say dogs especially respond to cheerful praise, gentle body language, and routines they can trust. Whether it's saying "good boy," "walk," or "treat," those happy little words become special because they're connected to love, comfort, playtime and attention from their favorite human.

Source:

Annie-Mae Levy, CFBA, a professional dog trainer at Woofz

This story was originally published May 16, 2026 at 3:10 AM.