Why do humans use the same tone with dogs as babies?

Because dogs are precious beings that are too innocent for this earth. We as humans did nothing to deserve them. Dogs are amazing.

Because babies and dogs don’t speak English (or French, or Spanish, or Swahili, or…)

Intonation is a universal language. There are melodic patterns that have the same effect on infants of any culture, as well as on our very sensitive animal companions. A rising pitch captures attention and engages; a falling pitch is calming; a short, sharp tone interrupts and stops unwanted behavior.

The musical cadence of “baby talk” is comforting and reassuring. It also makes each of us, as the speaker, feel more authentic, caring, and effective as caregivers.

So, when I have a protracted conversation with my sweet Sadie, I invariably slip into that sing-songy, and rather silly, voice. I’ve never even tried to avoid doing so.

I do not. I particularly dislike when folks speak this way to babies. If you want your child to speak well, speak proper English to them. Age appropriate of course.

For the same reason they talk to dogs like dogs can fully understand human language. People is stupid! Dogs can learn a certain amount of language, but not like a human child. Single word commands are best. And talking baby talk to dogs doesn’t help them to learn language any faster. When my German Shepherd reached 7, he could get what I was talking about far more than I realized. I once said something to him that I had never said to him before, and he got up and did it.

Because they’re so cutesy-wootsy, of course.

Condescension.