Canine intelligence?

[McCall St. Brewer]

Every time our cockapoo does something so annoying (like throwing up all over our oriental rug) that it just totally makes me wish he wasn't already neutered (so that I could do it to him myself with a serrated steak-knife), he soon follows it up with something else that makes us love him again.

The other day, he was whining and scratching and trying to get in between a file cabinet and my desk. We thought maybe he had lost a toy behind there, but when we checked, we couldn't fine any of his toys. So, we just gave up, figuring he was just acting weird.

Later, he woke me up during the night because he kept walking around the house shaking his head. After about the third time that he woke me up by doing that I realized he must have an ear infection. Then it dawned on me: his earwash was on a shelf on the side of my desk. He was trying to get the earwash!

Now, that to me was pretty amazing, especially because normally when he sees me with the stuff he runs the other way. I thought that was pretty impressive that he knew that the earwash would make his ear feel better.

 

[MikeFlynn74]

Yea- I believe dogs can reason moreso than people think.


cockapoo? omg....... lol

 

[Dr_Deathweed]

Yea- I believe dogs can reason moreso than people think.


cockapoo? omg....... lol

You know, I remember growing up seeing something like a "cockapoo" but we all just called it a mutt. Back then they were handed away free in the wal-mart parking lot, but now people are willing to shell out ~$700 for one....


Thats a pretty cool story though. It is amazing how fast (some) dogs can learn. Our newest has figured out that when we crate him at night he gets a treat. So now anytime we let him in the house he runs right past us and does flying leaps in and out of the kennel to try and get us to give him treats. "Look, I am doing what I am supposed to do! I am doing it over and over, so give me more!!!"

 

[MikeFlynn74]

Thats a pretty cool story though. It is amazing how fast (some) dogs can learn. Our newest has figured out that when we crate him at night he gets a treat. So now anytime we let him in the house he runs right past us and does flying leaps in and out of the kennel to try and get us to give him treats. "Look, I am doing what I am supposed to do! I am doing it over and over, so give me more!!!

Our youngest learned within a week to scratch at the door to go outside. He learned in 2 seconds not to mess with the cat when the cat does a face off.

 

[McCall St. Brewer]

On the other hand, we also had a golden retriever who, although she was the sweetest thing you ever met, was also dumb as a box of rocks. We have to keep our cockapoo on a chain when he is outside, because our fence has a couple of openings that he can get through. Our golden, however, would just stay in the back yard. She never did figure out how to leave.

When we were gone, she would stay in our back door hallway. We had a child-proof gate there to keep her in. Our cockapoo, quickly learned to open the gate from either direction. To keep the golden in, though, we didn't even have to latch the gate. She never did learn to open it herself.

Despite her shortcomings in the IQ department, I really miss that dog. She was my brewing partner. She always insisted on "assisting" me from start to finish during my brew sessions (I wonder if a big part of it for her was that she got to lap up any spills that happened along the way).

 

[DeadYetiBrew]

On the other hand, we also had a golden retriever who, although she was the sweetest thing you ever met, was also dumb as a box of rocks. We have to keep our cockapoo on a chain when he is outside, because our fence has a couple of openings that he can get through. Our golden, however, would just stay in the back yard. She never did figure out how to leave.

When we were gone, she would stay in our back door hallway. We had a child-proof gate there to keep her in. Our cockapoo, quickly learned to open the gate from either direction. To keep the golden in, though, we didn't even have to latch the gate. She never did learn to open it herself.

Despite her shortcomings in the IQ department, I really miss that dog. She was my brewing partner. She always insisted on "assisting" me from start to finish during my brew sessions (I wonder if a big part of it for her was that she got to lap up any spills that happened along the way).

Or it could be she was a GOOD dog and obeyed what you said....

 

[MikeFlynn74]

Or it could be she was a GOOD dog and obeyed what you said

Ditto- my puppy has learned how to climb a chain link fence. He doesnt do it though because he knows where he is supposed to be. Even when there is a nice juicy moose on the other side!

 

[Nurmey]

On the other hand, we also had a golden retriever who, although she was the sweetest thing you ever met, was also dumb as a box of rocks. We have to keep our cockapoo on a chain when he is outside, because our fence has a couple of openings that he can get through. Our golden, however, would just stay in the back yard. She never did figure out how to leave.

It wasn't that she couldn't figure it out, she just didn't want to leave home.
We don't have a fence but our Golden won't leave the yard unless we're with her.

Mine is also prone to ear infections and she knows exactly what her ear meds are. If I pick up the cream, she will run over and sit at my feet so I can apply it because she know it makes her feel better. She hates the ear wash and will VERY reluctantly come to me when I have it in my hand.

 

[Melana]

Ditto- my puppy has learned how to climb a chain link fence. He doesnt do it though because he knows where he is supposed to be. Even when there is a nice juicy moose on the other side!

That's so cool! A climbing pup!

 

[mrk305]

I was at a friends house, picking up my daughter who had spent the night. They have four kids. My daughter could not find her shoes. We were all in the kitchen talking and their dog walked in with my daughter's shoes in his mouth and placed them at her feet.

 

[Dr_Deathweed]

I was at a friends house, picking up my daughter who had spent the night. They have four kids. My daughter could not find her shoes. We were all in the kitchen talking and their dog walked in with my daughter's shoes in his mouth and placed them at her feet.

"Here you go! Peed on them and gave them a good slober shine. Enjoy!"

 

[Soulive]

Dogs definitely know whats up. They are one of 3 animals that actually study humans. I'm willing to bet they process at least some of the info they pick up on. My dachshund is very sensitive to our moods. I'm of the school that a dog is a dog, not a person...but they're animals just like we are and we're able to process information...

edit - side note, one of the other animals that study humans are bears. I guess they're not as good a candidate as dogs when it comes to man's best friend...

 

[Naidirem]

My youngest Beagle quickly developed a 'treat racket' that he continually tries to apply. We have two and they get a treat whenever we let them out to do the biz. The youngest learned that we are too lazy to know if they did anything and that we let them out anytime they are at the back door.

He began to go out and hide where we couldn't see him and just stand around til he figured it was long enough and then come back in for a treat. Everytime we caught on, he'd just find a new spot to go hide.

Now he has begun to sit for his treat and then after receiving one will go back to the same spot and act in the same manner he would if he had not received one. It works when we are too busy to pay attention or the other person is around. Now we have to check with each other.

It does explain why he is now overweight.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Have you ever wondered if dogs can count?

Try this, show your dog 3 treats. Put them all in your pocket. Give the dog 2 of them and see if he falls for it.

I bet he doesn't.:rockin:

 

[MA_Brewer]

Have you ever wondered if dogs can count?

Try this, show your dog 3 treats. Put them all in your pocket. Give the dog 2 of them and see if he falls for it.

I bet he doesn't.:rockin:

No, but their sense of smell is amazing.

 

[JustDave]

How Dogs Think is a great read if you're interested.