Ever wonder what your dog’s IQ is? Here’s a way to test it
Of course, you love your dog no matter what their IQ is, but if you want to know how you can test it, you might find this interesting!
But, before you read this, remember that a dog’s intelligence is highly subjective when it comes to a pet parent and their dog’s relationship.
While your dog might not excel at problem-solving skills, he might possess other talents that will make they a genius in your eyes.
There are two types of dog intelligence. Instinctive and adaptive intelligence.
Instinctive intelligence is the natural ability that is inherent to the breed or type of dog. This is a type of intelligence that, for instance, makes terriers commonly good at hunting small animals and bloodhounds good at finding things via their excellent scent.
Adaptive intelligence is the ability of a dog to learn. This includes performing certain tasks, socialisation, and language comprehension. A dog could be stronger in one category than another.
Below are some tasks from the Petinsurance.com.au team that you can do with your dog to test their IQ. These tasks are designed to evaluate a dog’s ability to learn and retain information and establish his problem-solving ability.
Task 1
Place a large towel or blanket over your dog’s head. This task will provide insight into your dog’s ability to solve problems.
Scoring
3 points | If they figure out how to free themselves in under fifteen seconds |
2 points | If it took longer than fifteen seconds and under thirty seconds |
1 point | If it takes them more than thirty seconds |
Task 2
Place three empty cups upside down in a row. While your dog watches, place a treat under one of the containers. Distract them for a few seconds, then let them look for the treat. This test helps determine how well your dog can learn and retain information.
Scoring
3 points | if they go straight to the container where the treat is hidden |
2 points | if they check one empty container before finding the right one |
1 point | if they check both wrong containers before locating the treat |
Task 3
In your dog’s favourite room where their favourite spot is, rearrange the furniture when they are out of the room. This task is designed to test their reasoning and cognition skills.
Scoring
3 points | If your dog comes back into the room and goes straight to their favourite spot |
2 points | If it takes them a short time to investigate before finding their spot |
1 point | If they gives up and finds a new spot |
Task 4
Underneath a piece of furniture, low enough to the ground that only your dog’s paw can fit, place a treat within their paw’s reach. This task will test your dog’s reasoning and problem-solving skills.
Scoring
3 points | If it takes them under a minute to get the treat |
2 points | If they try to fit their head into the space first without using their paws |
1 point | If they give up before getting the treat |
Task 5
At a time when you don’t normally take your dog for a walk, pick up their leash while they are watching. This task tests your dog’s ability to make and retain associations.
Scoring
3 points | If they immediately make the association and becomes excited |
2 points | If you need to walk to the door before, they get excited |
1 point | If they don’t seem to understand what is going on. |
Task 6
Build a cardboard barrier taller than your dog and about 5 feet wide. Cut out a small window in the middle of it, small enough that they can see through it but not get through the hole. Stand behind your dog and throw a treat over the barrier so that it falls behind it. This task will help measure reasoning and problem-solving ability.
Scoring
3 points | If they take less than 30 seconds to figure out that they need to walk around the barrier to get to the treat |
2 points | If they take longer than 30 seconds |
1 point | If they try to climb through the window or bulldoze their way through the barrier instead of going around |
Get ready, here’s the results…
More than 15 points – Congratulations, your dog is a genius!
Between 13 and 15 points – Not Einstein but still as smart cookie
Between 9 and 12 points – They won’t be the class valedictorian, but they will get by ok
Between 6 and 8 points – Your dog needs a little assistance when trying to figure things out
Tests aren’t infallible and some dogs are simply stubborn, and their lack of cooperation probably has nothing to do with their intelligence. Some also say the smartest dogs are the ones that have their parents wrapped around their paws and get a treat when they don’t need to even work for it! So don’t despair if your dog scores low, he might be smarter than all of us think!