| Dog owners have a pretty good idea of whether | | | | working and obedience intelligence. This refers to the |
| their dog is smart or not so bright. We usually judge | | | | ability a dog has to follow commands from his |
| our dog's intelligence based on how easily he or she | | | | master. Some examples of where this type of |
| was house trained, or how many tricks we can | | | | intelligence is important include, guide dogs, rescue |
| teach them. At one time, people never even | | | | dogs, police or military dogs and any other situation |
| considered that a dog could be intelligent, or have | | | | where people rely on dogs to accomplish a task. If |
| feelings, or express emotions. Now we know better | | | | dogs did not have the ability to learn and follow |
| and scientists and researchers have been doing | | | | commands, they would not have been domesticated. |
| studies to determine the level of intelligence of dogs | | | | Researchers now know that certain dogs are able to |
| in general and of specific breeds. | | | | learn approximately 150 words. There is a border |
| Scientists have found that canine intelligence can be | | | | collie that was known to recognize over 200 words. |
| different among different breeds. Since a scent | | | | Dogs can even learn by imitating other dogs. In one |
| hound may not seem too smart trying to learn tasks | | | | study, dogs watched a border collie named Guinness |
| that are natural for a working dog, researchers | | | | use her paw to open a box to get to the food inside. |
| tested dogs within their own group. They have also | | | | Normally dogs would use their nose to do this. When |
| identified 3 types of intelligence. The first type is | | | | the other dogs observed Guinness using her paw, |
| instinctive intelligence. This is based on what the dog | | | | they figured it must be a better way to do it and |
| was bred to do, for example, a retriever is meant to | | | | they used their paw. Then researchers had the |
| retrieve, a herding dog is bred to herd other animals, | | | | border collie open the container with her paw while |
| and so on. The idea is that there is no point testing | | | | he had a ball in her mouth. After observing this, the |
| how long it would take to teach a herding dog to | | | | other dogs opened the container with their nose. The |
| retrieve a ball. | | | | scientists determined that the dogs figured out that |
| The second type of intelligence scientists have | | | | she used her paw because she had the ball in her |
| identified is adaptive intelligence. This is meant to | | | | mouth and wasn't able to use her nose. This indicates |
| determine what a dog can learn for himself. This | | | | a dog's ability to use selective imitation. They don't |
| includes the dog's ability to learn from his | | | | just automatically do something a certain way |
| environment and solve problems. Dogs can learn the | | | | because another dog did it that way. |
| location of favorite or desired objects or treats, as | | | | It doesn't matter if your furry best friend is a mixed |
| well as the best or shortest route to get where they | | | | breed mutt or a pure breed, and it doesn't matter if |
| want to go. You may have a dog that has learned | | | | your pup is smart, silly or a little slow to get it, he or |
| how to work door latches or open the refrigerator. | | | | she ( or they! ) can understand and communicate |
| These are all examples of adaptive intelligence. | | | | with you and can show you love, loyalty and |
| The third type of intelligence that can be measured is | | | | devotion. That is ultimately what is important. |