Quote: michael_wise

Seriously, though. This kind of stuff really makes you wonder "what" dogs know and what kind of thought they are capable of.

Doesn't make ME wonder. I ALWAYS assume my dogs are smarter than I think they are. They have proved that many times.

I always think I am the one inadequately communicating with them.

 Quote: jenni williams

there are no two ways about it; he went over there to get help.

I will never forget when I was about 8 years old, I was outside riding my bike. A farm-style collie that I had never seen before or since (I live in the city, so this dog must have come from another neighbourhood) came running up and was very, very clearly trying to get me to follow him somewhere. Of course, being a little kid, my mom wouldn't let me just up and follow some strange dog.

The dog tried a few more times to "get through" to me and finally, with a look of mixed exasperation and desperation, ran off to find someone else.

I always wonder what had happened to his family that he was trying to get help.

Smart little bugger, that Widget! Who says only BIG dogs can get the job done?!

He will be lording this one over Caleb for many years, I fear.

Many people think I am insane (for many reasons...) b/c I give them so much credit for rational thought and decision making. But I can't deny what I have seen over the years. Dogs are far smarter than we give them credit for, and I think they would rise to the occasion even more often if we would open our minds.

Angela...oh, I hope that poor dog found someone to follow him!

I know that this is a dog forum but........people would be surprized to hear about the 'smarts' that horses posses as well.

Put it in "non dog related" chat. I know of some very smart horses. I have 3 horses. One of mine is highly intelligent and acts more like a dog, learns things super fast, and seems quite capable of rational thought, one is more "normal"- not stupid, but more motivated by normal horse "drives" than my dog-like freak, and one is only a baby, so I haven't decided where he falls yet.

I do think dogs are pretty unique in the level of communication they are capable of understanding, however. Horses may be intelligent, but dogs are generally speaking, more "into" humans and trying to cohabitate/communicate as partners. I think this probably has to do with predators vs. prey animals.

GREAT job, Widget!!! I hope there is a big, (not too big) juicy, raw meaty bone in your future!

Didn't mean to highjack the tread to go to another. But I will just say that 'my boy' is more dog-like also. He's an old man now. Will be 27 yr old the end of July.

Now back to 'the widget'.................

 Quote: jenni williams

Put it in "non dog related" chat. I know of some very smart horses. I have 3 horses. One of mine is highly intelligent and acts more like a dog, learns things super fast, and seems quite capable of rational thought, one is more "normal"- not stupid, but more motivated by normal horse "drives" than my dog-like freak, and one is only a baby, so I haven't decided where he falls yet.

I do think dogs are pretty unique in the level of communication they are capable of understanding, however. Horses may be intelligent, but dogs are generally speaking, more "into" humans and trying to cohabitate/communicate as partners. I think this probably has to do with predators vs. prey animals.

Jenni,

Just gotta pop in here and tell you that your little Chi is great and congrats.

My little ankle biter always alerts me anytime my grandson leaves his room at night (he likes to come to the couch). She will bark, bark, bark, until I go check it out.

She is a real barky dog and I have considered a bark collar, but then I realized that I had more work to do with her before that. After all, there are times I WANT her to bark.

But with the grandson, she is always alert to ANYTHING different he does and tells me.

I have two horses, too, and one is like your 'smart' horse. He acts dog like and I can just nod my head yes or no and he acts like he knows. There are times, that if I have him 'tied' (I just drop the reins on the ground) and if he starts to move a leg, he will look at me and I give him a look like you would a child meaning "now, don't you do that" and he will stop and stand there.

Simply amazing.

Widget says there is no such thing as too big if you are talking about RMBs. You'd be surprised how heavy a bone a 6lb dog can drag if he puts his mind to it! ;-)I feel a bit guilty, actually. I didn't really treat him to anything special. I wasn't really that surprised. The situation was a bit of a shock, but his reaction wasn't that shocking. I guess I need to do something special for him. Maybe take him to McDonald's. He's a big fan of their burgers.

Nora, that's how my weirdo horse is. I can shoot him a look and he will react. He also is like a kid in that he will misbehave for attention if I am on the phone. He has picked up my entire tack box and dumped it on the ground because I was ignoring him. As soon as I hang up and go back to talking to HIM, he's an angel. Spoiled, I know. Everyone guesses that he's around 4-5. They keep telling me he'll calm down and grow up. Then I tell them he's 14, and they don't have much to say. We should probably move this thread to "non dog related" b/c we are really getting off topic now...

Someone should start a horse thread. I'd like to see pics of people's horses.