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!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Sherri, That is a very good theory about Vern and Winnie. Maybe they are jeniuses geniuses after all....LOL!!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Congratulations Vern for training your family to give you treats. Sorry Fudge didn't get the message. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

LOL, Bonnie :)

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

I love you Vern! You are just like Chloe with the destructive approach! Fudge you keep that new ball away from him!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jennifer, I do have faith in Fudge. She loves taking those balls right out of his mouth :) Vern says, "way to go, Chloe!!"

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Aw, Vern, don't look so sad, buddy! In the language of today's educators, "we all learn differently" and you simply think "outside the box." That doesn't mean you aren't just as smart as your sister. ;)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Karen, I was thinking the same thing...Vern is a creative thinker :) LOL Vern says, "thank you!!" 

[Katie and Sophie]

My girls have found a new method to get the most treats out the fastest.  They take their treat balls up to the top of the staircase and drop it down so all the treats fall out as it bounces down the steps.  Then they follow it down the steps, eating the treats as they go, so they can bring it back up to the top and do it again.  Once they are confident all the treats are out they bring their balls back to me and give me a look that could only mean "more please!"

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Wow....you have some smarties on your hands :) How cute!!

[Donna K & Quincy]

Quincy had the same treat ball and it looked exactly like Vern's before it found it's way to the trash, need I say more?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

LOL....Fudge's ball is starting to look the same. Vern found it and worked his magic :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

So far the Orbee Orbo toys which can also be used for treats have survived around here.

http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Dog-Large-Orbee-Tuff-Green/dp/B000FPBN...