Let’s face it, all pet parents are biased! We all think our dogs are the smartest in the world, well maybe not the entire world you get the point! Did you know that there really are known techniques to test your dog’s IQ? Give them a try and prove, once and for all, that they really are the smartest dog in the world. To our pets, these are just fun games to play with their pet parents.
Dog Intelligence: What to Know Before You Start Testing
Before you can test your dog’s IQ, you need to understand the different types of dog intelligence. While some references list three, four, even five, or more types, they all fall under two blanket categories: adaptive and instinctive. You can guess what these mean by their names more or less, but let’s quickly go over them.
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Instinctive Intelligence
Instinct intelligence is exactly what it sounds like: your dog’s natural abilities. Different breeds have different innate talents. For example, Border Collies are naturals when it comes to herding sheep, while German Shepherds have innate talents that make them perfect police or search and rescue dogs, and the “hound” group’s abilities help them excel at hunting.
Adaptive Intelligence
Adaptive (also called adoptive intelligence), depending on the source), on the other hand, refers to your dog’s ability to learn new skills. This is where their trainability comes into play.
The most important thing to remember before you start testing your dog’s IQ is that not all dogs excel at the same things, and I’m not just talking in terms of instinct intelligence.
Just like people, some dogs find it a cinch to learn one new skill but struggle with another. The inability to figure out how to perform a specific skill doesn’t make them “dumb dogs” any more than my inability to figure out how to play the piano makes me a dumb person.
This is a super oversimplified explanation of dog intelligence just to give you a quick overview before you start your dog IQ testing. If you want to learn a little more, I recommend Dr. Stanley Coren‘s book, The Intelligence of Dogs: A Guide to the Thoughts, Emotions, and Inner Lives of Our Canine Companions.
Fun Games to Test Your Dog’s IQ
The following are the common intelligence tests for testing your dog’s IQ. There’s even a scoring system that you can follow to determine your dog’s intelligence.
Just in case you want to know your dog’s score, follow this chart.
- 30 seconds or less–give 3 points;
- 31-60 seconds–give 2 points;
- Tried but fails within the 60 seconds–give 1 point:
- If they don’t try–0 points.
Keep in mind that different animal behaviorists use different scoring methods. So, your dog’s results could be completely different from one test to another.
1. The Towel Toss Test
Here’s a super simple dog IQ test that takes just seconds to do!
What you need:
- A large towel or blanket
- A stopwatch
How to do it
Simply toss the towel over your dog’s head and use the stopwatch to time how long it takes him to escape from underneath it. Seriously, that’s all there is to it!
The scoring is a little different than on the chart above. In this game, he earns top marks for escaping in 15 seconds or less, 2 points if he manages to free himself within 30 seconds, 1 point for escaping after the 30-second mark.
Please use common sense with this test. If you see your dog struggling to escape, take the towel off for him! Likewise, if he seems scared or freaked out.
Upgraded version for super smart dogs:
If your pooch is a real smarty pants (or if you just know he won’t like having something tossed over his head), try tossing the blanket over YOUR head and see how long it takes for your dog to “save” you!
2. The “Find a Treat Under the Blanket” Test
Keep that blanket or towel handy, you’ll need it for this test.
What you need:
- A blanket or towel
- A tasty treat
How to do It:
First, make sure your dog sees the treat. Then hide it under the towel, and time her on how long it takes for her to retrieve it. Use the chart above to determine her score.
Smart dog upgrade:
You can also make this more complicated for your furry genius by hiding the treat under a cup! Line up three identical cups and put the treat under one, then time her on how long it takes her to find it.
3. The “Retrieving the Treat from Beneath” Test
Here’s a quick and easy game that tests your dog’s creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
What you need:
- A treat
- Something low to the ground. What I mean is that you’ll need a low-standing item, couch, bed, or something homemade that they can’t get their bodies under only their paws.
How to do It:
Set the treat under your low-standing object and give your dog the “go ahead” command to let him know that it’s okay to take it. Then, time them on how long it takes him to retrieve it.
The scoring on this one is different: within 2 mins using their paws-4 pts; within 3 min using their paws-3pts; fails within 3 mins but still used paws-2 pts; fails only using their muzzle-1pt; doesn’t even bother-0pts.
Genius dog upgrade:
You can make this even trickier by adding obstacles to the treat. For example, after putting it beneath a table, cover the table with a blanket.
4. The Barrier Test
Here’s another great game that tests your dog’s reasoning and ability to work through problems. It does require a bit more setup on your part, though.
What you need:
- A piece of cardboard (it needs to be bigger and taller than your dog).
- A way to secure the cardboard so that it can stand.
- Tasty treats
How to do it
Take the piece of cardboard and cut a hole about 3-4 inches wide and rectangular. It should be long (almost from the top to the bottom of the cardboard), but not wide enough for your pet to actually go through it. Secure the cardboard somehow so that it is standing and your pet can go around it on either side.
Then toss a toy or treat on the opposite side of the barrier from where your pet is. If she goes around within 30 seconds-3 pts; between 30 seconds to 60 seconds-2 pts; tries to go through the hole or gets stuck in it-1 pt. Just for being so darn cute!
5. Just Follow the Sound of My Voice
I thought that title was pretty creative, eh? This one tests your dog’s language comprehension and overall listening skills.
What you need:
- Just you and your dog!
How to do it:
First, give the “sit” and “stay” commands. Then, with your dog watching you, leave the room that he’s in. Make sure he doesn’t follow you and can’t see where you’ve gone.
At random, say out loud random words, including their name followed by the “come” command. For example, microwave, floor, window, ‘Buddy come’, broom, then see if he responds the first time or if it takes multiple tries.
If they come to their name the first time-5 pts; 2nd time-4 pts; if they come to any other word you say besides their name, give ‘em a pat on the head and call it a day then go snuggle on the couch knowing that they are still the smartest dog in the world to you.
Remember, dog IQ tests are just for fun!
These tests are just meant for fun, so don’t be discouraged if Fido doesn’t score top marks. There could be so many reasons for that beyond “he’s just not the sharpest tool in the box.” A low-scoring dog could just be hungry, tired, or just not in the mood to play.
Or, you could be expecting too much too soon. Even the smartest dog breeds can fail an IQ test if they’ve never learned the basics. For example, you can’t play the last game until your dog knows “sit,” stay,” and “come.”
Even the weather plays a role in how well your pup does! Testing any dog’s brainpower on a blazing hot day when he just wants to chill under the ceiling fan is not going to net good results.
Honestly, at the end of the day, WE know our dogs are the smartest without a test, and that’s really all that matters!
