Scientists swear by two gestures that always get your dog to listen — even without saying a word

The researcher noted that each cue works by itself, but their combined use creates a much stronger effect on dogs.

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A woman training a Belgian Malinois dog. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Tatyana Titova)

A new finding drew wide interest after scientists announced that they had identified two gestures that always get a dog to pay attention, even without speaking. The insight has sparked fresh discussion among pet owners who rely on daily cues to guide their dogs. It also adds to a growing body of research exploring how animals respond to human communication. The study published on February 12, 2025, highlights how simple actions can make a difference in everyday interactions with pets and why understanding these responses can strengthen the bond between people and their dogs.

A woman sitting in front of the dog (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Pavel Danilyuk) — A woman sitting in front of the dog. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Pavel Danilyuk)

As reported by Science Alert, the research showed that combining pointing and looking at an object is the most effective way to direct a dog’s attention. The lead researcher, Christoph Völter from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, explained that these cues work well on their own, “but combined they are stronger.” To test this, Austrian scientists fitted 20 dogs with headgear that tracked exactly where the animals looked. The group included various breeds such as Staffordshire Terriers, Australian Shepherds, Poodles, and several mixed breeds. During trials at the Clever Dog Lab, each dog faced a scientist who placed two bowls nearby, with only one containing a hidden treat. The dogs were shown five different cue scenarios, and their reactions were recorded. Each scenario was repeated six times to ensure the results were consistent and reliable across all dogs tested.

Image Source: Representative Getty Image | Anthony Brawley Photography — A dog looking at something. (Representative Image Source: Getty Image | Anthony Brawley Photography)

The researchers used different demonstrations, such as pointing at a bowl while looking at the dog, pointing while looking at the bowl, or looking only at the bowl. They even included a common prank familiar to dog owners, pretending to throw a ball in the bowl's direction while keeping it in the hand. Findings showed that dogs performed best when both pointing and staring at the correct bowl were combined. In contrast, they did poorly when the scientists faked throwing the ball. This suggested that dogs follow meaningful communication cues rather than simply reacting to movement. Still, the researchers noted that the depth of dogs’ understanding remains unclear.

Pet dog looking a dog food in bowl. Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Sally Anscombe. — Pet dog looking a dog food in bowl. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Sally Anscombe)

Völter emphasized that more researches are needed to determine whether dogs see these cues as instructions or as a form of shared communication. "Is it for them more like an imperative directive to go somewhere? Or do they understand it more in a communicative way?" he said. The study also builds on previous research that looks at how animals interpret human actions and signals in real-world situations.

The team hopes to explore whether dogs learn and memorize better when humans interact with them directly. This follows earlier work showing how children learn object names through pointing and looking cues. The study states that joint pointing and gazing held a dog’s attention the longest and led to the most accurate choices.