Comments on: The problem with evaluating dog intelligence http://shibainus.ca/the-problem-with-evaluating-dog-intelligence/ Shassi and Tierce - two Shibas, one Website Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:05:02 -0800 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: jenna http://shibainus.ca/the-problem-with-evaluating-dog-intelligence/comment-page-1/#comment-618 jenna Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:40:28 +0000 http://shibainus.ca/?p=616#comment-618 I thought the SAME thing when I first read that article... obedience does NOT correlate to actual intelligence. I think Coren is referring more to domestic trainability than communication and problem solving skills. On the flip side, in his book How Dogs Think he discusses canine communication skills and the primitive breeds are the superstars in that category. I thought the SAME thing when I first read that article… obedience does NOT correlate to actual intelligence. I think Coren is referring more to domestic trainability than communication and problem solving skills.

On the flip side, in his book How Dogs Think he discusses canine communication skills and the primitive breeds are the superstars in that category.

]]> By: Megan http://shibainus.ca/the-problem-with-evaluating-dog-intelligence/comment-page-1/#comment-610 Megan Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:16:32 +0000 http://shibainus.ca/?p=616#comment-610 Wow. My current dog is a Shih Tzu, and while I am aware of and agree with the widely held view that they are one of the most difficult dogs to train, I have never once thought that he disobeyed out of stupidity. It's really quite the opposite; he's never shown anything but bright alertness and wily calculation when learning words and commands. It has always seemed to me that his mulishness means that he's smart enough to know exactly what he can and can't get away with. Wow. My current dog is a Shih Tzu, and while I am aware of and agree with the widely held view that they are one of the most difficult dogs to train, I have never once thought that he disobeyed out of stupidity. It’s really quite the opposite; he’s never shown anything but bright alertness and wily calculation when learning words and commands. It has always seemed to me that his mulishness means that he’s smart enough to know exactly what he can and can’t get away with.

]]> By: Susan http://shibainus.ca/the-problem-with-evaluating-dog-intelligence/comment-page-1/#comment-606 Susan Sat, 15 Aug 2009 05:40:39 +0000 http://shibainus.ca/?p=616#comment-606 But don't get me wrong, I embrace my canine servitude. I wonder if there's medication for that? But don’t get me wrong, I embrace my canine servitude. I wonder if there’s medication for that?

]]> By: Susan http://shibainus.ca/the-problem-with-evaluating-dog-intelligence/comment-page-1/#comment-605 Susan Sat, 15 Aug 2009 01:26:35 +0000 http://shibainus.ca/?p=616#comment-605 I'm a member of Mensa, and my dogs have occasionally outwitted me. Very embarrassing. One is a Shiba mix, and the other is a Norwegian elkhound mix. Thank goodness, they don't work together, or I'd be in big trouble. I’m a member of Mensa, and my dogs have occasionally outwitted me. Very embarrassing. One is a Shiba mix, and the other is a Norwegian elkhound mix. Thank goodness, they don’t work together, or I’d be in big trouble.

]]> By: Dorothy Hime http://shibainus.ca/the-problem-with-evaluating-dog-intelligence/comment-page-1/#comment-598 Dorothy Hime Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:47:00 +0000 http://shibainus.ca/?p=616#comment-598 I agree with you completely. Shibas are very independent and self assured, perhaps stubborn at times. They may not be so keen to follow orders as other breeds. I have owned several dogs in the past and two <a href="http://www.ilovemyshiba.com" rel="nofollow">Shiba Inu dogs</a> presently. I can attest that because a dog is not predisposed to do tricks and follow orders does not neccessarily correlate to intelligence. I have had dogs that were more easily trained than my Shibas, but not more intelligent. These guys actually reason and conspire together at a level that is really almost scary. I own an invisible fence to keep them from running away. These two guys actually worked together to remove each other's collars in order to run away. I've had one distract me, while the other took my food. Trust me, Shibas are highly resourceful and fiercly independent dogs, and I love them. I agree with you completely. Shibas are very independent and self assured, perhaps stubborn at times. They may not be so keen to follow orders as other breeds. I have owned several dogs in the past and two Shiba Inu dogs presently. I can attest that because a dog is not predisposed to do tricks and follow orders does not neccessarily correlate to intelligence. I have had dogs that were more easily trained than my Shibas, but not more intelligent. These guys actually reason and conspire together at a level that is really almost scary. I own an invisible fence to keep them from running away. These two guys actually worked together to remove each other’s collars in order to run away. I’ve had one distract me, while the other took my food. Trust me, Shibas are highly resourceful and fiercly independent dogs, and I love them.

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