How to Test Your Dog's Intelligence

In the realm of animal intelligence research, even defining the topic of study is a complex task. Many fundamental questions remain unanswered, and debates persist about the interpretation of results from various experiments. Therefore, remember that no matter how low your dog scores, you can still confidently believe it is the smartest dog in the world!

Hide a treat under a towel. Let your dog see its favorite treat. Place the food on the ground in front of the dog. Cover it with the towel. Start the timer and observe how long it takes for the dog to retrieve the treat:

• 30 seconds or less: 3 points
• 31–60 seconds: 2 points
• Attempts but fails within 60 seconds: 1 point
• Does not attempt to find it: 0 points

Find a stopwatch. You'll need a timer that measures seconds to carry out these tests. These tests are designed to assess a dog's problem-solving ability and adaptability to different environments.

Throw a cloth over the dog's head. Allow the dog to smell a large towel or a small blanket. Throw the cloth or blanket so that it covers the dog's head completely. Start the timer and see how long it takes the dog to escape. Record the score:

• 30 seconds or less: 3 points
• 31–120 seconds: 2 points
• Attempts but fails in 120 seconds: 1 point — and remember to help the dog remove the cloth!
• Does not attempt to escape: 0 points
• You can practice by throwing the cloth onto a chair. The cloth should fall quickly and smoothly.

Conduct the test with a low gap. For this test, you need a gap that is low to the ground, where the dog can fit its paws but not its snout. You can use a sofa chair or create the gap by placing two books and a wide plank. Add a heavy object on top of the plank so the dog cannot easily lift it.

Try the puzzle game experiment. Place a treat under a plank or a sofa, where the dog can see it but not reach it with its snout. Push the treat in deep so the dog can’t access it. Encourage the dog to retrieve the reward and time the result:

• Success within 2 minutes (using paw): 4 points
• Success within 3 minutes (using paw): 3 points
• Failure within 3 minutes (but using paw): 2 points
• Failure and only using snout: 1 point
• Does not attempt: 0 points

Teach the dog to find the reward. The next experiment is designed to test the dog’s memory rather than its problem-solving skills. For this test, the dog needs to understand what's happening. Place a plastic cup over a treat, then instruct the dog to find it. Lift the cup to reveal the reward and repeat this eight or ten times until the dog learns that the treat is under the cup.

Test your dog's memory. Place 3 plastic cups or buckets on the floor, spaced about 30 cm apart. Hide a treat under one cup and make sure your dog sees it. Take the dog out of the room for 30 seconds, then return. Encourage your dog to find the treat.

• Find the cup with the treat on the first try: 2 points
• Find the treat within 2 minutes: 1 point
• Fail to find the treat: 0 points

Evaluate the results. Add up all of the dog's points and assess its performance:

• 11–12 points: A true canine genius
• 8–10 points: An outstanding pupil
• 4–7 points: Your dog is of average intelligence
• 1–3 points: Just likes to bark, not think much
• 0 points: You might as well have tested the intelligence of a broom

Turn the test into a game. Don't just be an impartial judge—your dog’s school is now open! However, if your dog isn’t interested, it won’t engage with the challenge. Encourage your dog with gestures or a smile to keep its focus, but be careful not to get it overly excited to the point where it forgets what it’s supposed to do.

Select a special reward. Your dog needs to cooperate during the experiment, so you’ll need to choose a reward that is irresistible. A treat with a strong smell is best since your dog will recognize and eat it quickly. Cut the food into small pieces, about the size of a pea, if you're planning to complete all the tests in one session.

• Small pieces of sausage, fried chicken, or cheese are good options.
• Avoid dry, odorless food when conducting the memory test.

To conduct a dog owner's experiment, the test is most effective when the dog has had ample time with the tester. A dog might not fully exhibit its capabilities if it has not lived with the tester for at least three months.

Test the intelligence of the puppy again once it has matured. Puppies under one year old may not be as 'intelligent' or obedient as adult dogs.

Train the dog to hunt for treasures. Instruct the dog to stay still while you 'hide' a reward inside a box or under a table. As the dog finds it, hide the next reward in a more challenging location. Once the dog becomes better at it, you can hide the reward without the dog seeing and place it behind multiple obstacles.

Teach the command 'new trick.' This is a great way to challenge your dog. It works best if you’ve previously trained your dog with a clicker. Use the clicker, say 'new trick,' and reward the dog after each trick. Repeat the phrase 'new trick' immediately and only reward when the dog does something completely new. Continue until your dog runs out of tricks or begins to get confused.

Purchase brain-stimulating toys for the dog. Since you can't be with the dog all day to train it, give it 'homework' in the form of interactive toys. These toys hide rewards inside that won’t come out unless the dog solves the puzzle. Some toys even emit commands automatically, but be cautious if your dog has a tendency to chew on these toys.

• You can find dog brain games online or on mobile devices to enjoy with your dog.
• Don’t get frustrated if your dog doesn't succeed the first time! Keep trying!

• Only use a thin blanket that the dog can easily move under. Don’t suffocate puppies or small dogs with thick blankets.

• Dog
• Stopwatch
• Blanket or towel
• Treats or toys
• 3 identical buckets or cups – the same is preferred