Are dogs clever or stupid?

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

One animal trainer here in NZ taught a dog to drive a car, that wasn't enough, he has now taught a dog to fly an aeroplane.

One night after I had locked up the workshop, and settled down watching TV, the workshop intercom beeped, so I went out to see what was happening, opened the door and just about got bowled over as the neighbours cat came flying out.

Ian S C

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

Just had some pics. from Houston where my Son lives and currently cut off by flooding, The cat is, 'Bobby' and seems quite cute and clever.

Edited By Clive Hartland on 19/04/2016 13:41:52

[JAParticipant @ja]

Posted by Ian S C on 19/04/2016 13:29:26:

One animal trainer here in NZ taught a dog to drive a car, that wasn't enough, he has now taught a dog to fly an aeroplane.

 

Ian S C

An old aircraft joke (when automated flight became practical) –

On looking in to the cockpit of an airline, there was the captain in the pilot's seat and a dog in the co-pilot's.

"What is the dog doing here"?

"To bite the pilot if he touches anything".

"So why have a pilot"?

"To feed the dog".

JA

Edited By JA on 19/04/2016 14:02:08

Edited By JA on 19/04/2016 14:03:09

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Good one JA, the dog I mentioned was flying a Cessna 172, G-GEHL. It did have another pilot in the RH seat, but hands off for the filming. The dog trainers late father was a well known airline pilot with NAC, and Air New Zealand, so that may have been the aviation link. The flight was done in England, and the dog was chosen from a group of about a dozen dogs.

Ian S C

Edited By Ian S C on 20/04/2016 14:36:15

[AjohnwParticipant @ajohnw51620]

We've had 3 dogs. All have had their own personalities.

The first one was a Labrador from the rspca. Taken there by the previous owner as it loved to chew things. Wasn't too bad initially and if taken back they get put down. Then one night she ripped up a carpet. I collected the bits and that evening without her noticing I filled her food bowl with it and put it down. She took one look and started snapping and snarling so I fended her off with a broom until she went quiet, then tied lots of pieces of carpet round her collar. She wasn't too keen on that but just went into a corner. This more or less cured her except for chewing the edge of her dog basket. Some time later we took her on holiday in a posh holiday home. Woke up one morning and found teeth marks all round the toilet seat.

Next one was a rescue german shepherd. Too much for the owner. She would only eat certain food so 1 day battle to get her to stop by the food bowel glaring at me sort of saying up yours. She didn't eat for 2 days and then was ok. A few days later we went out for a while and came back to find the fridge empty. She'd taken everything out, bit it and eaten it if she liked it so we had to fit a simple plastic child lock. For some reason if my wife was wearing a green dressing gown and went too near me she would start growling and barking at her, never bit her or anything like that. If my wife was wearing anything else all was fine so the dressing gown had to go. Like most shepards she knew what she shouldn't do but if we weren't watching her she might,

Puppy German Shepherd next. Biggest one in the litter by a large margin. I have a feeling some one had bought her before and taken her back. The dealer told us he wouldn't cash the cheque for 2 months. Not much trouble toilet training her but some how or the other she had learned where the bedroom was and how to hide under the bed refusing to come out. Wont have that so broom again. She likes opening cupboard doors and may eat what she finds inside. Not sure how she chooses or why. So we put a drop down chain across the doors. If we go out and leave it off she opens all the doors and grins at us when we come back. She's only eaten one thing out of the cupboard in 9 years. That time she skulked about when we came back. She gets biscuits lunch time and after some one has given her some she pretends she hasn't had any when only some one else is in view. She knows when her latest possible food time is in the evening – sits to attention and stares at me. We often watch a film in the evening. She knows it's time for bed when the music comes on at the end. If she sees a cool box she knows we are off to Wales and gets very excited. If I put my shoes on and the wife is out she immediately goes to her mat. She has lots of habits like that. She know she can take liberties with my wife but not me or my son, especially my son. She tends to stop be me all day and watch what ever I am doing and if she wants a fuss jumps on my lap.

John

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[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

My wife and I have a mk1 black and white cat called cheeky and he lives up to his name particularly where food is concerned, when I turn the tv off to go to bed he sits up because he knows its feeding time, he climbs in my van and enjoys a ride around the village, when I come home from work he has climbed on the roof and stands there till ive backed up and parked.

If I walk to the end of the close he walks with me waits at a mates house and walks back when I come out, our neighbours had a young boxer dog who got into our garden and started harassing my wife, who is an invalid and unstable on her feet, she shouted at the dog to go away when our cat appeared and threw himself at the dog with all his knives drawn causing the dog to leg it back the way he came, never known a cat be so protective of his owner.

Martin P

[Ian WelfordParticipant @ianwelford58739]

got 2 dogs, one pure border collie ( excitable, fast and thick ),others a lab /collie cross ( loyal, friendly but lethal to rabbits etc , etc and loves herding cows!)

Local farmer(s) delighted at having cows retrieved if necessary and reduction in rabbit population.

Don't know how but about 5 minutes before I get home they know and wait at gate. Doesn't matter whether I'm late or early they go to gate 5 mins before I get home. There is no way they can detect the car that early ( I'm on A1M !) but wife swears it's uncanny.

Effective guard dogs as well, very friendly whilst we're about, but had a hire car collected once and keys were in "safe place". Unfortunately I was out so got a call asking were keys behind gate as dog's were out . One guarded gate whilst other patrolled perimeter in case the collection men tried to get around! Don't know why they hate red post vans, other colours no issues but a red van and all hell breaks loose.

They get me out and about and wouldn't be without them.

De tente exists between them and our 2 cats. They chase others but leave ours alone so you have the bizarre site of a ginger cat and 2 dogs coming down the drive to greet you. Dogs have even been known to chase off a neighbors' cat that attacked one of ours and deter their dogs.

[Brian Baker 2Participant @brianbaker2]

Greetings to you all, I have had 4 dogs, all smart, the last two rescue "Westies" from the charity "Westie Rescue", and both loved riding 71/4 trains.

here is Rosie inspecting a new loco on our garden railway, however she hated electric locos, perhaps because of the noise, and tipped them off the track.

regards

Brian

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Bandersnatch on 18/04/2016 22:51:14:

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 18/04/2016 12:04:16:

So clever enough to figure out it's a doorbell, but too dumb to realise it isn't the one that announces the delivery man has arrived with a pocket full of dog chews.

My Sister had two small dogs (Scottie and Westie) . She had a kitchen clock which played a different tune on each hour. The dogs got fed at 5pm and new exactly which tune that was – at which point they became very excited. They more or less ignored all the rest (although sometimes would raise their heads and listen briefly before going back to sleep).

Edit: "heads" was "head" …. didn't want to create any misunderstanding.

Edited By Bandersnatch on 18/04/2016 22:52:59

Two westies one head? A sort of negative Cerebus.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

When I was a young teenager we went on a family holiday camping in Mid Wales.

My youngest brother somehow got a hole bunch of wasps in his hair and was totally freaked out. My mum told me and my other brother to get away from the tent while she got the youngest to sit down and tried to get the wasps out.

Our dachshund came over and bit the wasps out of his hair one by one. He got stung plenty but finished the job. My mum always said she never saw anything remotely like it.

Neil

[davebParticipant @daveb17630]

Posted by Ajohnw on 20/04/2016 18:57:03: Woke up one morning and found teeth marks all round the toilet seat.

I've had holidays like that! Foreign food can be a real killer.

Dave

[Bob Brown 1Participant @bobbrown1]

Lots of talk lately on research the breed before you get a dog, well here is some advice on a handful of breeds that i see and what to expect from their tempera…ment and traits.

Greyhound/lurcher – run (30 seconds) eat, daydream of cat chasing, kick cushions off sofa, stretch ,cuddle, Sleep 23 hours. Repeat.

Collie – rush around EVERYWHERE, keep rushing EVERYWHERE, sleep (30 seconds) eat, chase a ball, chase something else, daydream of agility and fly ball, cuddle, sleep aprox 33 seconds. Repeat.

Springer spaniel – boing, boing boing boing, pant, boing boing boing, pant, eat, deep sleep consisting of lots of twitching and whining due to boingy dreams. Eat lots, boing boing boing, cuddle, sleep, repeat.

Labrador – eat, fart, eat, drink whilst spilling it all over the floor, hold something in mouth and prance around showing off,
bowl into any dog in sight at full speed to say hello! Cuddle whilst shedding needle fine fur,
Sleep as per springer but more farting and dreaming of food, Repeat.

Working cocker – WHOOOOOOSH!!!!!!!!
spin, twist, wall of death around living room, play bow, repeat lots, cuddle, sleep, repeat.

Terrier *insert type*. – bark, bark, yap, bark, destroy a furry toy and dissect innards, bark at tele, bark at postman, bark at the world in general, eat, cuddle, sleep whilst barking, repeat.

Staffie – cuddle, fart, cuddle, eat, cuddle, fart, make a cackling noise, cuddle, sleep, repeat.

Cross breeds – any of the above in any order at any time but will love a cuddle, repeat!

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

Cleverness, we were out on a shoot and we were walking the Kale and the dogs were put in and all you could see was Kale wobbling about as they pushed through. Suddenly up goes my Airedale, 'Stotting ' like a bambi, this must be his way of seeing where he was going. in seconds we had all sorts of dogs stotting all over the Kale as we all fell about laughing. A great day.

Clive

[NJHParticipant @njh]

Bob

1) I think you need to re-assess the food that you are giving to your dogs – there does to seem to be a large amount of farting going on! (…and our Staffie never farts)

2) I'm only qualified to comment on :-

1) Staffies : Cuddle, eat, check out garden for cats, cuddle, make cackling noise, greet Postie, lick a few ears, progress destruction of indestructible dog toy, go bananas when a walk is suggested, cuddle, sleep – repeat.

2) Whippets : Whizz about at the speed of light, flop down to regain strength, whizz around etc. – repeat

Dogs – I can't imagine a life without them – a faithful companion and constant source of amusement.

Norman

 

 

Edited By NJH on 21/04/2016 14:32:02

[Another JohnSParticipant @anotherjohns]

Dogs are, much like "Artificial Intelligence" software, complementary to our minds' way of processing. I do enjoy watching them problem solve.

I read fairly recently, where it was posited that (at least here in North America) dogs/wolves domesticated us, not the other way around – we had the height to see and could climb – useful attributes for pack hunting.

Something to think about…

John.

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

Never mind dogs, I.m still trying to stop crows getting in and stealing the hen eggs. 6 ft high wire fence, ribbons and streamers all over, looks like a fairground. Collecting eggs every hour is best at the moment but tiring. I think they know that I have no longer got a shotgun

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

> (…and our Staffie never farts)

That's a first, perhaps you could breed a new strain.

When my stepson's lets rip you have to done a noddy suit.

Neil

[AjohnwParticipant @ajohnw51620]

Sheperd's. Sleep between bursts of energy. Watch what ever is going on carefully. Most likely to miss behave when they can't be seen – knowing what they shouldn't do helps a bit. Some people call them sly due to this. Their idea of saying I like you might be a nip rather than a lick. Periodically will go to each end of their territory and bark loudly. Likes to creep up behind people who call and can't see them and bark to make them jump. If some one calls who is nervous of dogs they sense it and think they must be up to no good and usually growl. Have to be careful about that. Very considerate about children which can be a problem – sitting on a bench on a high street and a tiny tot walks by so dog licks side of kiddies face. Some parents can get very upset. If they like a tousle with another dog in the park owners can get upset as they can be a bit rough, other dog rolls over and gives up and is very likely to get a nip as a result. They have had a name for biting in the past – all down to nipping. Go out for a while when they feel that they should be going too and they may go wolf mode and howl. Some will sample any food – down to owners really. Big problem as lots and lots of things will cause them to sick it all up. I'm reminded of a 1/2lb of butter. Best thing to do is to stick to dog foods and not let them try anything else. They are pretty intelligent dogs in an odd sort of way and are a bit aloof but let people know when they want a fuss or to play.

They like company. Both of the ones we have had will follow me around and watch what I am doing for hours. It's often said that only people who are around all day should have them. It can be useful – bad behaviour – out into the garden for a hour or two. Usually they know why that has happened and don't even start barking – the usual way they persuade people to let them back in the house. If they do something wrong they will skulk around knowing that they are going to get a good telling off.

Powerful strong dogs as well which can make handling difficult for some. It's surprising given how skinny they are under their coat. Many will train very well but it can be hard going.

When buying any dog as a puppy it's probably best to not buy the biggest in the pack or the most timid one. The big one may be a bitch or a dog. We have always had bitches but don't mind cleaning the mess up when they come into season. In fact when they see us cleaning up they help. I have mixed feeling about just having a dog spayed to get round this but do what many show people do. Have them done when they are 6 or 7 years old as they may get cancer. Pretty likely actually. Puppies shorten a bitches life so not too many litters. One or two far apart is best. We have never had one but have been tempted a couple of times. It's best to try and find a good pedigree stud if people do that. Expensive but gives more control of what the puppies are likely to turn out like. They are often show dogs but personality is most important.

John

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[NJHParticipant @njh]

"> (…and our Staffie never farts)

That's a first, perhaps you could breed a new strain.

When my stepson's lets rip you have to done a noddy suit."

 

I don't think it has anything to do with breeding but does have much to do with diet. We mostly feed a dried food – Royal Canin, Burns or James Wellbeloved for example – and peace ( and good air quality) reigns!

At present though we are in the process of a feeding "field trial". She had a visit to the vet on Monday for a few issues ( £250 ish!!!) which included the extraction of a couple of teeth – hence she is on soft (and expensive) food . So far we have not noticed any air pollution issues but, as they say, we are holding our breath!

Norman

 

 

Edited By NJH on 21/04/2016 16:46:12

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

We looked after a Pug, boy, he could fart for France and I knew a trick or two so went and bought some charcoal biscuits and in a couple of days he was fine. So much so he would want to be with me all the time, they are ugly dogs and it seems he latched onto me and would do all I asked him to do. Took him to the fields and he raced about very happy to be out there. Maybe his wind was causing him distress?

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by NJH on 21/04/2016 16:38:49:

"> (…and our Staffie never farts)

That's a first, perhaps you could breed a new strain.

When my stepson's lets rip you have to done a noddy suit."

I don't think it has anything to do with breeding but does have much to do with diet. We mostly feed a dried food – Royal Canin, Burns or James Wellbeloved for example – and peace ( and good air quality) reigns!

At present though we are in the process of a feeding "field trial". She had a visit to the vet on Monday for a few issues ( £250 ish!!!) which included the extraction of a couple of teeth – hence she is on soft (and expensive) food . So far we have not noticed any air pollution issues but, as they say, we are holding our breath!

Gavin changed from dry to wet to address 'air pollution issues'. I think every dog is different

Neil

[NJHParticipant @njh]

John

We went through the "breeding" thing with our first Staffie – what a performance! ( I will gloss over the details of the mating) but we ended up with five pups – 4 bitches and one dog. In preparation we had laid vinyl sheet flooring in the kitchen where it was warm and set up the bed there and we were there at the delivery. Very cute pups and mum ( although it was her first litter) dealt with them fine. They all prospered and grew quickly…… one morning though I came downstairs to find that they had managed to pull the vinyl sheet FROM UNDER THE COOKER!! and then proceeded over a short period to rip it all to pieces.

Having the pups was a great experience, we kept one for ourselves and ( after a bit of a anxious period) sold the other four. ( If you don't know about Staffies I can assure you that keeping an eye on 5 young mischievous pups is exhausting! ) In the end though it was a great experience, we gained another dog and made a few bob. This was some years ago and both are now long gone however our current bitch – as featured in my avatar – is related. We got her from the breeder of our original dog. She came down to stay for the weekend and brought two pups with her for us to see. The one you see on the left took one look at us and quickly decided that we were a soft touch and that she would stay!

Norman

[Sam Longley 1Participant @samlongley1]

Posted by NJH on 21/04/2016 14:14:31:

Bob

1) I think you need to re-assess the food that you are giving to your dogs – there does to seem to be a large amount of farting going on!

Edited By NJH on 21/04/2016 14:32:02

Hmmm!!!!—-Do you think I should stop feeding the mother in law dog food then ?

[NJHParticipant @njh]

Sam

No I think you should be respectful and courteous to your Mother in Law and feed her only the finest, most succulent and expensive foods, that she likes.

( Don't think I'm going to give you any assistance in hassling the dear old lady !)

N

[davebParticipant @daveb17630]

My father in law had a terrier, the family used to buy the dog soft squeaky toys, he loved these, took him about 10 seconds to get the squeaker out. They moved to rural Kent, the dog got into next door's chicken run and took all the squeakers out. Neighbour wasn't impressed, nor was FIL when he got the bill.

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