Nemo and Heidi are definitely more obedient than Melanie, but I have no doubt that if dogs could play chess Melanie would be a grand master before Nemo and Heidi figured out checkers. Melanie can figure out what she wants, plan the steps necessary to get it, and then execute. I emphasize that she can plan out the steps to get it because I feel like that distinguishes her abilities from other dogs'. If it takes three or four separate actions to reach her goal, she will systematically execute each one until she gets what she wants.
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| Often what she wants is the most comfortable place to sleep. |
Here are some examples of Melanie's brilliance:
Mel loves a particular spot on the sofa. Being on the sofa isn't always enough, if she wants the left corner spot nothing else will do. I have seen her get on the sofa (not in "her" spot), then hop off (step one) and run to the back door (step two). At the door, she will start doing her "I gotta go!" bark incessantly (step three) until we finally decide that she must have to go potty, so we get up off the sofa to let her out. As soon as we reach her, she runs back downstairs to the now empty sofa and claims "her" space (step four). It's a humbling experience to be outsmarted by your dog...
Every now and then Mel will decide that a particular toy is the coolest thing ever. Unfortunately, as soon as Mel shows that kind of interest in a play-thing, Heidi decides that she wants the same toy too, so a mini-playful-war of sorts breaks out. Since Mel is all brains and no brawn, they never fight, Mel just outwits Heidi. I have seen Melanie go play enthusiastically with a toy I know she doesn't like (step one) to get Heidi interested in it (step two) and then go take the toy she really wants (step three) and go into another room with it so Heidi doesn't notice that it's the real "favored toy" (step four). Mel actually knows how to pull a bait and switch on someone...
We have an automatic feeder for Nemo so that he gets fed regularly during the day. The first hour that we had it, Mel figured out how to manipulate the feeder to get access to the rest of the food. Nemo's alone with the feeder all day and he still hasn't figured out how to do that.
It's possible that her genius is a product of her seniority. She's an elderbull now and it would make sense that she's just learned a lot over the years and slowly learned how to do those things.
But I tend to think that she's really just an adorable not-so-evil genius and I'm thankful that she's on my side...
Anyone else have a ridiculously clever dog?
I know the feelings you are talking about. My Jamie is amazing to watch. I see her reason out situations in great detail. Luckily she came to me in a time I was active in Search and REscue and she was probably the best dog I have ever worked with. And I have trained SAR dogs all over the country.
ReplyDeleteI wondered much of the time if she could read my mind. Now she is very old, blind and deaf and I still see her work her way through life with a sharp mind unlike any dog I have known.
You and I have been exceptionally blessed.
Bert's My Vickie
When we had Molly, I definitely wondered if she could read my mind sometimes (or at the very least if she'd learned the whole english language!). Mel isn't quite as tuned into us as Molly was though - she's definitely more about getting what she wants rather than doing what we want her to, haha. I forgot to include it in the post, but I definitely remember a time when Melanie outsmarted a dog trainer that we were working with, lol. It was hilarious to watch.
ReplyDeleteI definitely feel very fortunate to have these dogs in my life :)
What a great post! We have a corgi that must be related to your Melanie. She has a medical issue which forces us to feed her a certain food and it is measured exactly with her medication added. She thinks we are starving her ( to see her body- you know different) ,so she will find any means available to supplement her intake with our other dogs rations.She never fails to amaze me with her cleverness.I thought she was special, but I guess she's just a smart dog among many :~)
ReplyDeleteNancy - let's hope our smart and clever dogs never learn about each other. Together, they'd take over the world! (or at least the world's kibble supply) ;)
ReplyDeleteToo funny! Eddie is starting to become pretty smart as well, often to get the best spot on the couch. I loved reading those examples of her brilliance...
ReplyDeleteThat is too funny! I have seen Rufus pull the bait-and-switch with Turk on toys...it's so funny to see the process played out right in front of my eyes! Turk always falls for it...without fail!
ReplyDeleteBoth of our dogs do this type of thing.
ReplyDeleteMacintosh will whine to get "his" spot on the couch (cuddling with me). If Aspen does move then, he'll do the same thing as Melanie- grab a toy to get Aspen interested, then get her to play, then come cuddle with me while Aspen is left thinking "I thought we were going to play".
Ultimately Aspen does the same thing, but not nearly as often. And like Melanie, she may not be the most obedient, but she sure is smart. Especially when it comes to getting what she wants!
She is hysterical. I always knew she was my favorite -- now I know why!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how they act dumb when you ask them to do something, but suddenly wise up when they want something badly enough ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat a smartypants!
ReplyDeleteBilly has got the brains to figure things out - he picks up new tricks in a flash - but he's also wildly impatient and will favor brawn over brains if its quicker that way.
I've had several dogs through out the years, but never one that is really smart and clever, just sweet and lovable. I Do however have a cat that is clever like that. Little-Bit will be snoozing peacefully on a chair by the woodburner and Oliver will decide he wants that specific chair. He sneaks up to the chair and wops Bitty over the head, waking him up and starting a fight. They tussle for a while, Bitty jumps off (he gives in way too quickly) and runs to another room. Now that the chair is empty, Oliver jumps up, settles in and takes a nap all warm and snuggly.
ReplyDeleteOur Roxy has some very similar traits :) It's very humbling to fall for the same couch trick time and time again, lol You think "I" would get smarter after awhile but noooo. And I swear she laughs at me to with a certain woof she has, lol
ReplyDeleteI love your pictures of her all snuggled up. What a sweetheart!
Im so impressed! Love that Mel!
ReplyDeleteWow she's a smarty pants! We too have a smarter-than-average pitty, and there are days when I worry how smart he is! He too pulls the bait and switch on our fosters. I am amazing that Mel can get you guys off the sofa, now THAT is genius (on her part, haha). She's such a smarty...good thing she loves you!
ReplyDeleteOscar pulls that EXACT same trick with the couch! The amazing thing is that we keep falling for it!!
ReplyDeleteI definitely think Izzy is a smartypants, but she doesn't quite know how to harness it. She is still in those teenage years and talks back to us, but I'm sure she'll start being able to oursmart us soon!
ReplyDeleteWe have this in our house too. Odi's whole world revolves around us. Mya on the other hand is extremely independent.
ReplyDeleteaaaaaah! i love it when the older sibling one-ups the little guys. the chow can outsmart her pit bull brother within 30 seconds. and yes, she has trained us to give her treats. she'll walk up to us and sit, lay, pop up, beg, dance on her back legs and then turn around. then she sits and wags her tail, as if to say, "i figured out the process, now give me treats."
ReplyDeleteMelanie does sound super smart. Between you and me, Pip has never been known for his brain! Adorable and charming, yes! Smart, well ...
ReplyDeleteKristin (Pip's mom)
My dog likes to think she's smart, but I am grateful her brains are just quick enough to make her easy to train, but not so quick that she makes me feel stupid on a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteBut she has shaped us to do all sorts of things for her, things we never intend. It's maddening and yet I keep doing them because she's just so dang cute!
That top photo is just so adorable. You can tell she's got a scheme in the works.
What a great post! Loved reading those examples of Melanie's cleverness. Lady does that bait and switch to get her favorite toy too, and it works every time.
ReplyDeleteBless Lucky and Katie's hearts, they're so sweet, but no match for her intelligence. I remember when we got those "treat balls" that the dog has to roll around in order to get the treats to fall out. Lady figured it out in about 60 seconds, and it took Lucky weeks. I had to run interference the first 6 or 7 times we played with them. Lady would grab her ball, run off into the living room and roll it around and get the treats out. Then while I was still in the kitchen modeling for Lucky what he needed to do to get the treats to fall out, Lady would come trotting back in, grab his ball and run off with it. I'd have to go retrieve it and keep her away while continuing to practice with Lucky. He's got it now though! Now we're teaching Katie. :)
And another thought - I honestly do wonder if dogs can read our minds. Or pick up on our energy and intention somehow, if not our actual thoughts. There have been times that I could not explain their behavior any other way...
ReplyDeleteHaha - I loved reading about Melanie's brilliance! Dogs are pretty amazing. I'm pretty sure our dog Dudley is a lot smarter than Roxy is. But Roxy's got her adorable-ness going for her. :)
ReplyDeleteYes everyone is more obedient than BC but he is sneakier than the rest
ReplyDeleteStop on by for a visit
Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com