Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Yep. I showed this video to my border collie Izzy. He told me that Chaser isn't even a real dog. She's a a human genius in a dog suit.
Then he ran off to bark at the imaginary squirrel out back. :P
There is a longer video on 60 Minutes that talks about doggy brains and includes Chaser. One of the scientists mentioned that Chaser may not be a canine Einstein, just that her owner's early and persistent training resulted in her maximizing her potential. Also, her owner mentioned that when he was teaching her the names of the toys, there was a sort of point that she made the leap to the generalized concept that each toy has a unique name and started learning names faster.
I have an Aussie and they can be hard on toys. I have about 4 or 5 toys that I keep out all the time, they're tougher, harder to kill toys he can play with any time. Then there's the stash of about 10 different toys that I only let him play with when I'm around. These are usually a little less well made and he'd destroy them in no time if I leave him alone.
He's had one day where he destroyed a Kong crate mat ($50) and a Kong stuffed toy ($15), both were brand new.
There is a longer video on 60 Minutes that talks about doggy brains and includes Chaser. One of the scientists mentioned that Chaser may not be a canine Einstein, just that her owner's early and persistent training resulted in her maximizing her potential. Also, her owner mentioned that when he was teaching her the names of the toys, there was a sort of point that she made the leap to the generalized concept that each toy has a unique name and started learning names faster.
I saw that video back when it first aired on tv, and (don't tell my dog) was absolutely amazed by both this dog's ability as well as the owner's training and patience. My dog - Izzy - does know the names of his stuffed toys and will identify and get them for me, BUT he only has about 10 of them, and he does sometimes get them mixed up. (Plus, he gives up way too easily if he can't find one, and woofs at me to go and find it for him.) Of course I do know that his limitations are because of my inconsistency in teaching him the "go get XXX" command, but I don't let him know that. Otherwise he just might figure out that he is, after all, smarter than me.
We've had our 2 new puppies for 2 days, and they already have 6 toys, and one kong on the way from Amazon. I think we're going to need a bigger toy basket soon!
NONE! This is the first dog I've had that has NEVER played with a toy! Cocker spaniel. The only 'object' he found remotely interesting was a little 'hidden treat' brain development toy where he had to move a little door (from a variety of little doors that moved up/down/side to side) to find a treat.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
