Im constantly enthralled with this topic!
Lady knows when Im coming home. she is home with my parents and siblings and will lay in a certain place while Im gone only getting up to get a drink or walk to another place. But my mom noticed, a few years ago, that she would get up and walk restlessly back and forth from the door and looking expectantly about 5-10 minutes before I pull up. Thats when Im starting towards home from school, work or the store (smallish town. I know for certain that it isnt just the routine that shes learned because it was first noticed on the first day of a night class when I came home a little earlier than expected. I think dogs have a connection to their person that we cant really understand.

Maybe, just maybe this will work. This is the response I got on the inquiry.

Hi Melissa,

You're right. I did the interview. I'm forwarding this to Gary Mantz who helped arrange it. We'll try to figure it out for you. Thanks for the kind words. I miss you guys, too.

Frank

My parents have a cat "Fang" that, while showing many signs of autism, is extremely fond of my father, more loyal than most dogs. Among other things, Fang recognizes his voice on the telephone and the sound his car makes when he pulls into their driveway.

One can also say my father's name, and Fang will go look for him. Noone taught her any of this.

My dog Redhead had learned to find hidden objects. No big deal, granted.

But once while I was demonstrating this skill to some friends, I hid an object in a plastic sack. I had never hidden anything there before. Redhead searched in vain, until someone told him "it's in the sack." He made a beeline for the sack and found the object.

We decided that he must have followed our line of sight. So the next time, we hid an object in the bathroom, where we could not see it.

Redhead again searched until someone said "bathroom." At this, Redhead bolted for the bathroom to find the object and get his treat.

At this, I resolved to tell that dog my secrets no more. Unlike Fang, he'd betray me for a dog biscuit.

Hey, folks,

We are wandering afield a bit....

The next poster will have to get back to some kind of training question or answer ..... otherwise it's in danger of being closed (as a "cute dog" topic).

Training board!