Wag The Tail # 7-Dog Intelligence Test-Brainiac or Dummy

In the human world there has always been a brouhaha about Intelligence Tests that they are culturally insensitive and that these instruments do not take into account socioeconomic status and environment. Critics of these tests contend that they are subjective measurements of some one's cultural standards against another. i.e. the elites against the average Joe. And as a professor told me many moons ago. "Figures don't lie but liars do figure." Hence we should take the results with a grain of salt as they may be subjective.

We should also look at Canine Intelligence Tests with a wary eye instead of a jaundiced one; never completely believing or disbelieving the results but taking into account the entire canine. There is a Canine Intelligence Test that is the gold standard in the marketplace called the American Temperament Testing Society or as its called the ATTS. There is also a derivative of that test which you can give your dog in the privacy of your own home and doesn't require a visit to the Sigmund Freud of the Canine World.

THe American Temperament Testing Society developed a test in 1977 and ran it on thousands of dogs for several years. The test simulated a dog's walk through the park to measure stability, shyness, aggressiveness, friendliness and its protective nature toward himself and owner. Hence intelligence includes social adaptability. They also released a list of the Brainiacs which can be found at Suit 101.Com.

Pet owners can take the initiative by testing the dog at home if they want to

by measuring the following behaviors as outlined in the book THE DOG BEHAVIOR ANSWER BOOK: By ARDEN MOORE

1. The Towel Test-Place a large bath towel over the dog's head if he  removes it  in 20 seconds he's a brainiac if not he's something else.

2. The Bucket Test-Get three empty buckets, place a treat under one while your dog is watching distract him for 30 seconds then return his attention back to the buckets;  if he finds the treat without knocking over any of the other buckets then he's a Einstein.

3. The Leash Test-Pick up a leash and keys in front of him at a time other than his normal walk regimen and if he comes to you as if he wants to go walking then he's in Mensa.

There are Intelligence Tests on the market for dogs but there should be a caveat here about the validity of IQ tests on dogs and humans for intelligence is basically how an organixm reacts to his environment. Therefore a pooche's behavior would be different in Buckingham Palace than on the front lines in Afghanistan.