My assistant Ronnie and I spend a couple of hours at ” Best Friend Pet Supply” Fun day to support the local cat rescue by offering a free IQ treat for dogs .There were lots of laughs, tailwags , treats and surprises . I thought I would share these simple exercises with you so that you can share them on long, dark evenings with your pooch. Have fun ! XX Martina

EXERCISE # 1

This is a test of problem solving. For this you need an empty can (about the size of a typical condensed soup can), some desirable tidbit of food, and a stopwatch (or watch with a sweep second hand). First, show the dog the bit of food and let him sniff it. Now pretend that you are some sort of silent movie actor, and with a great show put the tidbit on the ground and invert the empty can over it. Now start the stopwatch and encourage the dog to get the bait.

If the dog knocks the can out of the way and gets the tidbit in 5 seconds or less, score 5,

15 seconds or less scores 4,

30 seconds or less scores 3,

60 seconds or less scores 2.

If the dog tries once or twice, sniffing around the can but does not get the bait after a minute score 1.

If the dog makes no effort to obtain the bait score 0.

Exercise #2

This is a measure of problem solving. For this problem you need a large bath towel, a small blanket, or some form of heavy cloth of a similar size. First make sure that the dog is awake and reasonably active, then let him sniff the towel. (This next part may require one or two practice tries without the dog present.) Now, with a quick, smooth motion, throw the towel over the dog’s head so that the head and front shoulders are completely covered. Start the stop watch and remain silent as you watch.

If the dog frees itself in 15 seconds or less score 5,

30 seconds or less score 4,

60 seconds or less score 3, 2 minutes or less score 2,

If the dog has not removed the towel after 2 minutes score 1.

Exercise #3

This next test of problem solving is similar to Test 1, but a bit more difficult. The major difference is that this test demands a bit more cleverness at manipulating objects. The test requires a hand towel or a dish towel (not the large bath towel used in Test 4). Show the dog a tidbit. This tidbit should not be too small in physical size. A dog biscuit is perfect for this task. Let the dog sniff it and make sure that it looks at the tidbit for about 5 seconds. At the end of that time, with great exaggerated acting, place the food on the floor and, while the dog watches, throw the towel over it. Now start the stopwatch and encourage the dog to get the bait.

If it retrieves it in 15 seconds or less, score 5,

Gets it in 30 seconds or less scores 4,

In 60 seconds or less scores 3,

In 2 minutes scores 2.

If the dog tries to retrieve it but then gives up, scores 1.

If the dog doesn’t even try to retrieve it within 2 minutes, score 0.

THER E were just 2 dogs out of 30 that scored the total of 15 ppoints. The big majority of dogs scored between 8-12 points  and had a real hard time retrieving treats from under the towl .

HOW DID YOUR DOG DO?