"Why did the dog's owner think his dog was a great mathematician? When he asked the dog what six minus six was, the dog said nothing." Yes. Owning a smart dog can be great fun. The dog who knows when to bark and when to shut up. The dog who knows that you take him on a walk and not the other way round. Or are you stuck with a dog with a bird brain? Some dogs are smarter, wiser and sharper than others. They may learn faster, retain more, and seem to understand more than you would like them to!
The variation in intelligence can be accounted for in numerous ways. Genetics or breeding have a lot to do with things. Purebred animals are bred for specific traits and skills. A low-grade breeder can cost the animal their intellectual edge leading to a pet that is laid back and might not appear motivated to do anything exceptional; they can act like a perpetual kid, have little or no attention span, act hyper-sensitive or hyper-responsive.
Here are some things that will help you increase the IQ of your pet, it may take longer in an old pet but you will definitely benefit:
TOYS Increasing intelligence could be compared to raising a baby. As they develop they are more responsive to different things. You have to expose them to the world bit by bit, introduce them to new toys, colors, and tastes. Chew items from animal parts, manufactured chew items, balls, rope toys, squeaky toys of various shapes, sizes and materials, Frisbees, Kong toys, dumb-bells, and others may be used.
DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS & PEOPLE Many animals are never taken into new environments or into a house because they do not behave properly. This is primarily due to lack of socialization or because the level of distraction is too high for them to handle. Trips to see friends can be great. The pet gets to meet new people and has new experiences. Introduction to a wide variety of people is important. This means men, women and children. They should be of different ages, dressing habits, and voices. Hats, sunglasses, and a variety of accessories are necessary to keep your animal more calm later in life.
OTHER ANIMALS Everyone needs friends. Introduce pets on neutral ground and monitore closely. A park of different neighborhood is a good idea for dogs. The pets will often take the initiative to make friends on their own by scenting each other or just having visual contact with each other. Once the pets know each other and LIKE each other, you may want to go for a visit and visa-versa. Always first introduce them on the most neutral ground, i.e., the yard or least frequented room and be sure monitor it closely. In puppy-hood there is more chance of a friendship blooming, if adult dogs like each other then nothing like that.
VOCABULARY This is one of the most important roles you have with your pet, teaching them to understand. When you talk to your animals and explain things, it is much like you do with a child. For example, tell your dog what things are called when he first sees them.
FORMAL TRAINING Both owners and animals benefit from training. Learning to learn is exciting for an animal; it is also exciting for the owner! Learning is fun for an animal and it opens up their understanding of what you want of them. It can teach you proper communication with your animal and how to actually be effective. The basics are good to start with at home and then branch out to other areas slowly.
