Stanley Coren, Phd.
First domesticated 14,000 years ago and originating from wolves, jackals, coyotes and wild dogs, today’s domesticated dogs are the best examples of behavior genetics. Certain breeds can learn many behaviors from each other and from people, Coren said at a presentation Saturday. They are smarter than cats but not as smart as dolphins — or humans, although they are intelligent enough to deceive us to get what they want. For e.g., he showed a clip of a dog stealing a sandwich and soda off a table and framing the cat while the owner answered the door.
Border collies are the smartest breed, according to 208 dog obedience judges from North America, with poodles coming in second. “Poodles are retriever types and people shouldn’t be fooled by the stupid hair cut,” Coren said. Retriever types are in the top 20 percent. Afghans ranked the lowest – “the caboose of dogs,” according to Coren – on trainability.
Using another clip, Coren demonstrated how dogs learn human language, referred to as “receptive language proficiency.” One dog, a terrier, sounded like he was saying “ma-ma” after his owner said the word several times to him.
Another video about St. Bernards showed how they learn to rescue people in wintry conditions. Acting in packs of three, two dogs stay and keep the victim warm (stayers) while the third dog goes for help (goer). To train these dogs, inexperienced St. Bernards go out with experienced ones. The dogs themselves choose whether they want to be a “stayer” or a “goer.”
Coren is of the view that dogs have conscience, citing the fact that they experience REM sleep and appear to dream.
Source: APA 117th Annual Convention
