Dogs do not understand English or any other human language in the way humans do. They learn to associate specific words or sounds with actions, objects, or consequences through repetition and training, similar to how human infants learn language. Dogs' comprehension often depends on both the words spoken and the tone and body language used, as they integrate these cues to understand human communication. Studies using brain imaging show dogs process language in a way that resembles human language processing, with different brain areas responding to word meaning and intonation. Dogs can distinguish familiar human languages from unfamiliar languages and can recognize words as labels for objects, but they do not understand sentences or language grammar. Exceptional dogs can learn hundreds of words and associate them with objects, but this is based on learned associations rather than native language understanding. In summary, dogs understand English words more as stimuli or commands linked to specific outcomes, not as a human language with grammar and complex meaning. Tone, body language, and context are crucial for their comprehension.