Posted on August 12, 2009 by: WayCoolDogs

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Recent studies have shown there are certain “super dogs” who are in the top 20% rank of extreme canine intelligence with the capability to understand signs, signals and specific words up to 165 in number. The University of British Columbia psychologist, Canine researcher Stanley Coren, says that these findings more than demonstrate that a dog with an average mentality has the basic ability to do simple math.

John Mitchell, veteran dog breeder in Ontario, says, “”There’s an old saying: If you don’t think a dog can count just put two cookies in your pocket then give him one and see what happens. You’re not going to turn them into an accountant, but they know that one plus one equals two.”  It has been found that a dog is a master of recognizing body language in their owners, being able to pick-up on the slightest gesture and signal.

THE INTELLIGENCE OF DOGS

According to Coren, the majority of people have two levels in which they view dogs: (1)  they view them as people in fur coats, and (2) they view them as unconscious biological robots — neither of which has to do with who a dog actually is. With these latest studies involving behavioral measures, it has been found that the mental abilities of a dog are actually that of a two to two-and-a-half year old child.

The three types of  intelligent dog training:

• Instinctive — This is the training which involves what a dog is bred to do.

• Adaptive — This is training which involves what a dog has learned on its own.
  

• Obedience — This training is taught by their trainers, which the dogs can learn to to.
  

All three types of dog training involve more intelligence and communication to a better extent than ever thought, with each level consisting of how specific dogs are designed to understand bits and and pieces of information. It has been found that a dog is a master of recognizing body language in their owners, being able to pick-up on the slightest gesture and signal. They understand moods and hidden messages we may be sending to them in a way we ourselves don’t even understand.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IN TRAINING DOGS

According to  Mitchell,  the fundamental step in basic dog communication is simply listening to them.  Dogs listen all the time as they can do it without saying a word, found to create a strong bond between the dog and its owner.

This has been shown by a dog teasing its owner with a ball, grabbing the ball once it drops it in front of the owner—daring him or her to take it from them. Once the owner leans over and begins to grab the ball or tall on the ground, the dog will jump in and grab the object before the owner gets it.  This demonstrates the intelligence of dogs who are capable of playing and deceiving people and other dogs with toys.

LEVELS OF INTELLIGENCE IN DOGS

The studies showed that ten of the most intelligent dogs are: (1) Border Collie, (2) Poodle — 9th most popular dog in AKC, (3) German Shepherd, (4) Golden Retriever, (5) Doberman Pincer, (6) Shetland sheepdog, (7) Labrador Retriever — 1st most popular AKC dog, (8) Papillon, (9) Rottweiler, and (10) Australian Cattle Dog.

The studies also showed that nine of the least intelligent dogs are:  (1) Afghan Hound, (2) Basenji, (3) Bulldog — 8th most popular dog in AKC dogs, (4) Chow chow, (5) Borzoi, (6) Bloodhound (7) Pekingese, (8) Beagle–5th most popular in AKC dogs, (9) Mastiff.

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