Yes, there are certain commands that dogs and cats can understand. Most of this is the basic emotions that people can communicate. They know when you're happy, sad, or even playing with them. I grew up with dogs in my family, so I know that we would be able to say things that would make the dog know we were happy. I would be able to communicate with our dog, and teach it to "speak" simply by placing a treat in front of the dog and say, "speak," and when it barked, I gave it the treat. Animals learn to communicate that way. I also knew when our dog was sad, simply because it would have a sad kind of growl it would make at certain times of the day, or growl it would make when it was hungry. When letting the dog outside, I would ask the dog, "do you want to go out," and it would say yes by wagging its tail and making another kind of growl. The dog would even approach the door to go. I know the dog or cat understands humans, but do they understand the true meaning of the word as humans do, I don't think so. They can't communicate in sentences as we do, and tell you precisely what the words, "go out" mean to them, other than simply know when you say this, they are going to get some time outside to play outside.

So, yes they understand, but I don't believe it's the same exact understanding that humans have. And, with dogs and cats, two commands cannot mean two different things.

For instance, if you were to say to a dog or cat, "I'm going to treat you to lunch" or "you deserve a treat," all they understand is the "treat" part as a noun, they don't understand the conjugation of a verb. Whereas a human can understand the two different meanings of the same word.

Watch the dog in the video tell its owner that he loves his owner or his mama! I think they understand, but do they understand the meaning of "love" is the deeper question, as that's something even humans do not understand. A dog will love its owner unconditionally, so whether it's communicating from the heart or not, you know the dog is just communicating to its owner to share some kind of pet love and companionship.

Take a look at this link:

Learn How To Communicate with Animals

There are animal psychics and animal communicators. The animal can tell you that they are always last. Animals can talk to you, and you can talk back to the animals. Sometimes what an animal will say is non-verbal, such as wagging their tail (means a dog is happy), or shaking (means they are scared), or jumping (means they are very happy) etc.

Check out the second video below.
Source(s):
http://www.pet-health-advisor.com/howtocommunicatewithanimals.html

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I have a cat and birds, and I talk to them all the time. Actually, I do think it makes a huge difference in their lives, specially caged birds.

All animals have a language, even if it is limited to a few sounds. And if you are around them long enough you'll pick it up for sure. And most animals are more than welcome to talk to you, if you take the time to watch and learn.
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I believe that animals and humans have a closer connection than what is typically thought. As you mentioned with your brother in law, there is body language. We are so used to using our voices to communicate that we forget that we can do so much more with just our bodies.
I communicate to my dog many times with just the movement of my body. Instead of telling her to move or come inside, I will lift my arms and lean my body towards the door.
I also have a language that I use with my cat and dog (this is very funny to watch) which they understand.
Animals can also pick up on emotions or energy that is being displayed.
I think dogs and cats understand a lot more than we give them credit for.
Source(s):
http://animaltalk.org.uk/how.html

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I've known a few people who seem to communicate with animals, including me--mostly dogs. Not every dog, though. Some aren't used to it or don't try to interact with anyone not part of the "pack".

I once had a conversation with another person who bred dogs for showing. They, too, had both parents; lived with their dogs as pets; and only infrequently had a litter so the mom could recover fully in between (every 2 years). We also let the moms wean the puppies naturally, so she could teach them "doggie manners" right at the age they needed to learn them, which makes human training easier later on.

In the course of the conversation, it came out that both of us had noticed the moms in particular using a set of sounds with the pups. The same set of about 10 sounds!

I've since talked to others in similar situations, and a few have noticed the same thing.

And it really makes people take notice when I will address their pet in Dog. Puppies usually get all excited and try to get up to lick my face. Slightly older dogs get both alert and happy. Really old dogs look like they're trying to remember something. But it's unmistakeable the dog knows I'm really saying something. Just simple things like "happy", "play", "I'm in charge", or "help". I usually try "happy" first, and then the sound the mom always referred to herself as, which I interpret as somewhere between "I'm in charge" or "cut it out" (usually uttered with a paw on the nose or neck of a puppy who's being a pain).

I know it sounds really wacko, but I've seen it so many times now, and only the really old dogs who might have hearing problems anyhow don't get all wound up when I start making these sounds.

There is a lot of "Dog" that is conveyed in body language, that's true. But I can only guess that the reason that they can understand some of our spoken language is that they have the ability to understand the symbolic thought of assigning meaning to sound. If dogs could not do that, they couldn't understand any spoken language. Yet I have a friend whose dogs learned to understand the *spelling* of "squirrel" when she would mention that there was one in the birdfeeder. Her dogs would go nuts wanting to go out and get it. She had to resort to saying it in Spanish or describing it in other ways.

If they can assign meaning to sounds, and they themselves make sounds, I don't think it's too farfetched to think that they might have a small vocabulary of their own.
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In a way, everyone can communicate with animals. How do you think they train animals to do what they want? All it takes is talking to them like they are a person. Believe it or not but they do understand you. And if they just flat aren't listening like little kids often do, look them straight in they eyes and make them blink before you just by looking at them. That will make them listen for sure. And if all else fails, be sweet to them. Just like people, if you sweet talk them, they will give you their attention.
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