Fudge and Vern Take Their First IQ Test!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

We had a rather boring Easter today, so I decided to open some fun things I purchased at TJ Maxx to test my dog’s intelligence.

First up, were two treat balls (no picture included), one for each of them that I filled with Kibble.  Getting into the package tested my IQ, my strength, and my patience, but that is another discussion.  I will say I always wonder if the manufacturers of some of these toys think we have access to the Incredible Hulk, dynamite, or some sort of sharp object that in addition to opening these packages could also slice off three fingers in the process, because they make these things so hard to open. Once opened, the dogs took their new toys outside, I showed them where the kibble was, did a quick demonstration, and turned to see one of my students eating a leaf.  I don’t want to give too much away too soon, but the student was blonde.  Next, my daughter spent some time rolling the ball around and I told her, because I know how important positive feedback can be to a young mind, how proud I was of her attempts to find the kibble and that I was going to give her a passing grade.  I am sure the reason she told me to be quiet was because she was trying to concentrate.

 

In no time at all, Fudge figured out if she rolled the ball, treats were dispensed. Fudge even seemed to know that rolling it on the sidewalk was smarter than rolling it on stones or leaves.  Several times, she picked the ball up and moved it to a flatter surface. 

Vern, on the other hand, decided his best recourse was to take the ball into the sticker bush, or what is left of our bush, thanks to Vern the landscaper, and try and chew his way directly to the kibble. 

Rolling the ball did not seem to be an option for Vern.  Eventually, I had to take what was left of the ball away from Vern and hand him the kibble from inside. 

Even though one dog used brains and the other brawn, both dogs got the treats out to enjoy, so who is to say which method is better?  I will say that Fudge’s ball did not have to be thrown into the trash and Vern did have to be stopped from eating parts of the ball.

 

Next up, was a wooden toy with treats hidden under moving circular blocks.

The dogs needed to use their paws to slide the covers to the right or the left to get a treat or move a little lever forward or back to open the treat compartment.  Fudge was too fixated on the rolling ball to care about this toy, but Vern was very interested.  In Vern’s defense, I think his paws were just too big for the toy, but we kept trying together to get the compartments to open.  A couple of times I showed him the treat and then covered it to peak his interest and finally it looked like Vern was catching on, because he did manage to get some of the treats out to eat. 

Eventually, he decided that brute strength and some serious chewing might get them out faster and we had to put the toy back in the box before it made its way to the trash bin. 

Again, his humans gave him the treats he did not recover, so Vern does get full credit for training two humans to give him his rewards.  All in all, I decided my dogs are two smart Doodles.

Later, inside the house, Vern tried to take a turn with Fudge's treat ball and Fudge promptly let him know that was not going to happen. Here is Vern right after he got the message.

P.S. Some of the best pictures today were missed by the photographer.  She tried taking several pictures and then started screaming, "what is wrong with this stupid camera?" only to be told the lens cap was still attached. Again, I don't want to name names, but this photographer has just had a discussion written about her by F Parker.  It seems she reminds her of Julia Roberts!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

No wonder the photographer has problems, duh. She apparently can't read since the correct Julia was not named Roberts. Given this, reading the camera manual would be way beyond her skills. Reading the manual is an excellent tool for beginners. In fact right after the most preliminary information is Step 1--remove lens cap! Despite this the photos were fine. The doodles however are smart....In fact Vern's methods are very cagey. No more annoying treat ball and the puzzle isn't likely to plague him often.

Seriously, opening jars, packages etc. has become my bete noire, to revert to French like the other Julia. I keep pliers and assorted tools nearby for help.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I still haven't read that manual, so that explains the lens cap :) My mistake, I thought you said Julia Roberts...LOL!!  I guess I need to get some tools for those packages before I lose some fingers.

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

I read F's discussion late last night so I may be mistaken, but that's not the Julia that I remember her comparing you to...nice try, though!

In January, I visited my son in Durham, NC and was able to meet up with Linda (with Webber & Seda).  One of the places she took me was to a fabulous pet store in Chapel Hill called Phydeaux (pronounced Fido, haha),  We saw the treat balls and she told me how much her darlings liked it, so I purchased one for Knox.  Well, he never could get the hang of it, but our female Jack LOVED it.  This weekend I "gifted" the ball to my parents' female lab and she was all over it!  I would what that says about the male sex....

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

LOL...I think it says a lot :) It was late when you read that discussion, so you are probably confused :)

[Camilla and Darwin]

Verns approach to the treat dispensing toys seems awful familiar.... (stares at box full of broken toys)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

LOL...poor Darwin :)

[Sequoia & Dudley]

Great fun story. I didn't share it with Dudley, though. I don't want him to know the answers before taking the test;)

Thanks for making Easter much less boring. Your Fudge seems mighty smart.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Awww...thank you so much!  I hope Dudley passes the test :)

[Sequoia & Dudley]

Actually I got him the Treat Ball for his birthday (day after Easter). He LOVES it. Carries it everywhere. He looked at it, cradled it in his paws, batted it, tried to open it with his teeth, but by the second day, rolling it to get the treats was routine for him. So thanks for tipping me off to a fun toy. I have put treats in kongs before, but this ball is much, much better.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I am so glad Dudley liked the treat ball! Happy Belated Birthday!!

[Martha & Cooper]

You sure keep me laughing!  Tell Vern that Cooper uses his teeth to get to the treats too, especially on the wooden puzzles!   He tries with his paws, but gets impatient,then nudges with his nose, if that doesn't work, he tries to pick the dang thing up with his teeth. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Martha. Cooper sounds just like Vern :)