There are many canine IQ tests in books and many appear on the internet and because of breed differences and testing variables, it could well be impossible to create a scientifically valid IQ test for dogs – but who cares? It’s fun seeing how inventive your pooch can be.
You will note that, in some of these tests your pup’s body length is used to standardise test distances used with each assessment. This is an attempt to cater for pups of different sizes and to give better consistency with the results.
Set Up and Qualification
- Mark a ‘start’ line on the ground by using a piece of chalk or similar.
- Measure the distance of your puppy from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail (where the tail joins the spine) and ask your assistant to hold your dog four puppy-lengths from the start line.
- Let your puppy smell its favourite food treat, then place the treat on the ground on the start line. Encourage your pup to ‘SEEK’ the treat. Repeat three times.
- If your pup picks up the food each time within five seconds, your pup has proven it is a pig and has thus qualified to compete in the test!!!
Test 1 – Toilet roll turmoil
You will need three toilet-roll cores, a small quantity of food treats (e.g. Eukanuba Smart Puppy Food) and an assistant (and your dog!).
- Place the three toilet roll cores, side by side, on the start line.
- Place one food treat in the centre of one of the toilet roll cores.
- Your assistant releases the puppy as you encourage it to ‘SEEK’ the food.
- Use a stop watch to time how long it takes your pup to retrieve the treat from inside the toilet-roll core. Start timing at the moment your pup crosses the start line.
Repeat three times, noting the time for each.
Test 2 – The Puppy Cup
This test is similar to Toilet Roll Turmoil except that the pup can see the food, not smell the food. It is a more difficult test.
For this test you will need three disposable see-through plastic cups of the type commonly available from supermarkets for party supplies.
1. Place the three cups, side by side, on the start line.
2. Let your pup see you place a food treat under one of the cups.
3. Your assistant releases the puppy as you encourage it to ‘SEEK’ the food.
4. Use a stop watch to time how long it takes your pup find and then to retrieve the treat from under the cup. Start timing at the moment your pup crosses the start line.
Repeat three times, noting the time for each.
Test 3 – In the News
For this test you will need several sheets of newspaper and your dog’s favourite food treat.
Teaching the Routine
- Place a sheet of newspaper opened flat on the ground on the start line. Have your pup held by your assistant.
- Drop or place a food treat in the middle of the piece of the newspaper and use the word ‘SEEK’ to encourage your pup to get the food. Repeat three times
- This will teach your pup to expect a find a food treat on the newspaper.
Testing Your Pup
- Now place the food treat in the centre of the newspaper but fold the newspaper in half to hide the treat.
- Again encourage your pup to ‘SEEK’ the food treat and time his or her attempt starting at the moment the pup crosses the start line.
Repeat three times, noting the time for each.
Test 4 – Carton Quiz
For this test, you will need a clean three-litre plastic milk carton. Cut a large, round, oval hole in one side of the carton, essentially cutting out the label. Do this by inserting a sharp knife into the side of the carton to create a slit and then insert a pair of scissors into the slit to cut the hole. Be sure there are no sharp edges on the rim of the hole.
Teaching the Routine
- Place the carton on the ground, cut surface down on the starting line.
- Place a food treat onto the surface of the carton and encourage your pup to ‘SEEK’ the food treat.
- Repeat three times to teach the new routine.
Testing Your Pup
- Now stand the carton vertically with the cut surface facing away from the pup.
- Place a food treat inside the carton and encourage your pup to ‘SEEK’ the food treat.
- Time your pup’s attempt but don’t distract the pup with your laughing!
Repeat three times, noting the time for each.
Test 5 – Hide and Sneaky
For this test you need yourself, an assistant and your pup.
Teaching the Routine
- Your assistant holds your pup at the end of your hallway.
- Walk off into your bedroom and hide behind your bed.
- Call your pup enthusiastically and when your delighted pup finds you, praise it and give it a food treat.
Repeat three times.
Testing Your Pup
- Now hide in a different location in your bedroom such as in your wardrobe.
- Call your pup.
- Use a stop watch to determine how long it takes your pup to find you in the new location.
Repeat three times, noting the time for each.
How Clever is Your Pup?
Now let’s determine if your pooch has the intellect of a Canine Einstein or door mat on a bad hair day!
For each test, take the fastest score of your three measurements. You will have five scores. Add them together to get an overall score.
Overall score below 15 seconds – You have a Canine Einstein. Contact the Guinness Book of World Records for inclusion in the next edition!
Overall score between 15 and 25 seconds.
Your pooch is a Mensa Mutt. Enroll him or her at University – it’s a scholar.
Overall score between 25 and 35 seconds.
You have a normal pet with normal intelligence. Give it a big hug.
Overall score between 35 and 60 seconds.
Well cerebral dexterity may not be its strong point but it has enough intelligence to find a food bowl at 10 paces and that’s all life requires!
Overall score longer than 60 seconds.
You were testing the door mat. Now repeat the test with a real dog.