Mav, a happy Golden Retriever, reportedly perks up at “murder” because his owner, Mel Williams, thinks the word may remind him of “water”—something he loves. The two words share an “-er” ending, and Williams wondered whether Mav had learned to associate that sound with an exciting activity. That is her explanation, not a proven cause.
What Mav does when he hears “murder”
In a Daily Paws story published August 24, 2022, Williams described Mav as a three-year-old Golden Retriever who reacts to familiar words such as “walk” and “park,” but gets especially animated at “murder.” The article reports that he may perk up, jump, run in circles, or dash toward the door.
Williams said the reaction did not depend on an excited delivery: “It doesn’t matter the tone of voice I use—I can say it as blandly as possible and he’ll still get excited and sprint off.” The quotation is from Mel Williams, as quoted by Jessica Banks in Daily Paws.
Williams’s theory: “murder” may sound like “water”
Williams said Mav loves water, so she had tried to avoid saying “water” when she did not want to excite him. Months later, while talking with her niece about a crime podcast, she noticed Mav’s response and used a process of elimination to identify “murder” as the apparent trigger.
#1 Best Overall
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Her theory is that Mav may have connected the sound at the end of “water” with something enjoyable, then reacted to the similar “-er” sound in “murder.” Williams also said he likes “killer,” which has the same ending. These are owner-reported observations and speculation; the story does not establish that sound association caused the behavior.
Does Mav understand what “murder” means?
The anecdote does not show that Mav understands the human meaning of “murder.” It records a reported reaction to a spoken word. Williams’s account also does not rule out every influence from context, routine, or other cues. There was no controlled test in the story to determine what exactly prompts his response.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Contents - One 12 inch golden retriever plush.
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Rank #4
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Rank #3
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- Designed in Keene, New Hampshire, U.S.A. by Douglas Cuddle Toys, makers of realistic, engaging plush toys for over 60 years.
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Rank #2
- CUTE STUFFED ANIMAL PLUSH: Adorable golden retriever stuffed animal with soft fur, recycled stuffing, eco-friendly material and a soft floppy body, 20.8 inches long; Perfect gift for kids on Christmas, Easter, Birthdays and other holidays
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