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Measuring Your Dogs Intelligence
from:Some dog owners and dog trainers expect their dog's level of thinking and smartness to be the same of humans, when being trained. This mistaken assumption about dog psychology can be devastating to the expectations of both the dog owner and the dog itself.
Trainers shouldn't assess canine intelligence against human standards. Each individual canine may possess his own unique talent. If the occasion does not arise for the animal to display this talent, it doesn't mean he's dumb. For centuries, behavior experts have been trying to devise a test that measures all aspects of human intelligence and have failed miserably. With this success rate in mind, how can canine experts profess to measure the dog's intelligence when we do not even speak the same language?
Labeling a dog dumb can be as unproductive and damaging as labeling humans. If an animal is labeled dumb, the owner usually gives up trying to teach the dog. The label then becomes self fulfilling because if his owner won't train him, the dog really won't know anything.
On the other hand, labeling a dog smart may create unrealistic expectations and disappointment if he doesn't respond as expected. Perhaps all these 'dumb' dogs are just clever enough to make their owners think they are dumb to avoid the effort of obeying! A very frustrated Basset Hound owner complained to his instructor that he had spent a month trying to teach his dog to sit on command and the dog just didn't get it. As the owner was explaining his dilemma, the instructor was mindlessly playing with a piece of liver that she had not put away after working with another dog. The Basset noticed the liver and began nudging the instructor. From pure habit, she told the dog to sit. The Basset plopped his rear end down as fast as Bassets do. This is a good demonstration of learning theory proven long ago that a lack of response does not mean that learning is not occurring. This dog was learning, the owner just hadn't found the right motivator to get him to respond.
Perhaps canine intelligence is not measurable, particularly when the criteria for intelligence are measured on another species' yardstick. Fortunately, regardless of breed, the great majority of dogs are intelligent enough to grasp basic obedience commands when training is intelligently presented. A trainer armed with motivating training methods and a good understanding of the principles behind canine learning can shape a dog's behavior into desirable conduct.
Understanding Why Dogs Roll Around In The Dirtiest Of Things
No one really knows for sure why dogs love to roll in stinky things, but people who study animal behavior have some pretty good idea Some experts believe that dogs like to mark themselves with their territory A dog wearing a bit of woodchuck carcass or horse poop on his neck and shoulders is a lot like a man wearing a big gold chain around his neck It says something about him and where he lives.....More on Compass Dog Psychology
10 Dog Barking Moments What Your Dog Is Trying To Say
1 Continuous rapid barking, midrange pitch: and#39;Call the pack! There is a potential problem! Someone is coming into our territory!and#39; Continuous barking but a bit slower and pitched lower: and#39;The intruder [or danger] is very close Get ready to defend yourself!and#39; 2 Barking in rapid strings of three or four with pauses in between, midrange pitch: and#39;I suspect that there may be a problem or an intru.....More on Compass Dog Psychology
Measuring Your Dogs Intelligence
Some dog owners and dog trainers expect their dogand#39;s level of thinking and smartness to be the same of humans, when being trained This mistaken assumption about dog psychology can be devastating to the expectations of both the dog owner and the dog itself Trainers shouldnand#39;t assess canine intelligence against human standards Each individual canine may possess his own unique talent If the o.....More on Compass Dog Psychology
The Dog Wolf Connection
Many of the wolf like social behaviors of the dog are not things that endear them to us, and many have lost their original social purpose to the dog as well They are appendages that evolution hasnand#39;t managed to shake yet Like the human appendix, they range from merely useless to downright awkward The elaborate eliminatory patterns of the dog are a source of puzzlement and grief to many a do.....More on Compass Dog Psychology
More Dog Sounds And What They Mean
Soft whimpering: and#39;I hurt!and#39; and#39;Iand#39;m scaredand#39; The average person is most likely to hear this at the veterinarianand#39;s office, when the dog is suffering, or when a submissive dog is in a strange place that appears threatening This is really a carryover of the mewing sound that young puppies make when cold, hungry, or distressed Louder, more prolonged whining sound: and#39;Please give me and#39; or and#39;I want .....More on Compass Dog Psychology
Understanding Your Dogs Hearing
Dogs hear a lot better than people do, partly because their ears are incredibly mobile They have 15 different muscles that can move the ears in all directions This helps them detect and understand sounds no matter where theyand#39;re coming from Head cocking is a tool they use to hear clearly Dogs shouldnand#39;t be doing it all the time, however When they are, they may need some extra help to hear Spea.....More on Compass Dog Psychology
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