While most dogs excel at commands like “sit” or “stay,” only a select group can remember the names of toys. New research shows these gifted dogs can expand their vocabulary by eavesdropping on conversations.

In a study, ten dogs, including a Border collie named Basket and a Labrador named Augie, watched their owners introduce a new toy while speaking to someone else. Seven of the ten successfully retrieved the correct toy later, even when the object was hidden from view.

“This is the first time that we see a specific group of dogs that can learn labels from overhearing interactions,” said Shany Dror, study author.

Only a few other animals, like parrots and apes, have demonstrated this ability. While similar to how young children pick up words, the brain mechanisms in adult dogs are likely different. Experts say the findings reveal dogs’ advanced cognitive abilities and raise questions about how they learn from subtle cues.