Just how smart are these dogs???

[Teresa]

So Hudson has a very big dog bed...you will see it in some of the pics I have posted. This was actually my past Bouvier's bed so its for a giant dog. Hudson has always loved this bed and from the 2nd week he was with me, he would curl up in the bed or....fight with it. He would grab it at the corner and try to pull it around the house...it was great exercise for him! Well, last night, he figured out how to undo the zipper. Not just a little....all the way down one side, around the corner and then down the second side. From there he pulled out the interior bed. He wasn't destructive in anyway, he just wanted to do it. I patiently put it all together, thinking that it was an accident....you know, he pulled the zipper by mistake and just kept tugging at it. After I put it together I took him out for our evening walk, came back home, made some tea, walked into the living room and what do I find...the dog bed pulled apart again. He very clearly has figured out that if he undoes the zipper he can pull out the inside....not really sure why he is obsessed doing this, but he loves it.

Leaves are finally coming off of the trees here and he is having so much fun chasing them - unless they scare him first! You never know when those leaves are going to start ganging up and blowing towards you all at once!

The last update I have for now is he lost the last of his front baby teeth. The two last top ones fell out today. It looked so sore yesterday - two little teeth hanging off the gums - I kept thinking how much it must have hurt when he was eating. I wanted to try to pull them out but just left them to come out on their own and they did today.

Its a cold windy rainy fall day here, but its invigorating to go out for a long walk and then into the cosy warmth of the house and fireplace. I'm going to go have a cup of tea now - Hudson is actually relaxing right now.

Hope everyone is doing well with their puppies!

[Jackie]

I find they are way too smart. I'm amazed at some of the things they do. Beckett loves to chase the leaves too when we go for a walk. I'm so glad I got a doodle!!!

[Sandy]

Way, way too smart!! Toby can figure out how to get in anywhere....especially spots that are barricaded off. That being said, I hope this cleverness results, soon, in the cessation of nipping. I am very, very over that. I know it's a normal part of growing up, but I hope it's a short phase. And oh yes, hopefully smart enough to start letting me know, everytime, when he has to pee soon. Fortunately the occasional accident that he has is on linoleum or ceramic. :)

[Penny, Comiskey & Beemer]

The other day it rained here. I felt bad that Comiskey insisted on going out in the cold rain....so when she came in I dried her with a towel....and put a cushion on the hearth and of course lit the fireplace.....very cozy

Fast forward to the next day.....she came in from a chilly outdoors.....sat on the cushion on the hearth and started to bark.....I wasn't even in the same room....so I went to check on her......nothing....so I left the room.....barking began again.....but this time...she was holding the key to turn on the gas on the fireplace....I had forgotton to remove it the day before.....

Needless to say I turned on the fireplace.....and she went to sleep.....oh those gas bills are going to be nasty......

Am I being played or what.....Comiskey acts like she can't remember the command "come" half the time....but the key to the fireplace!!!!!!

[Teresa]

Oh my goodness! That is absolutely hilarious. Yes, the things that they like they really learn quickly. The other thing I can't get over is their sense of where "home" is. I have several different walks that I take Hudson on - so a different route most days. Yet, I can't believe how as soon as we start in the direction back "home" he takes the lead. I can see his mind working all the time. I have done obedience classes with previous dogs - with my purebreds I even worked them in official trials. I think I will definately look at agility classes after we finish all the basic/advanced obedience classes. This is a mind that will need to be worked.

Keep the flame low on the fireplace - that may help with your gas bills!!

[karen]

Hi from Soleil and Karen..I cannot believe it when I read what everyone's pups are doing. These dogs are smart! When we are out on walks on different routes and I tell her we are going home, she always wants to show me where we live by grabbing the lead. She also is a little bit of a show off at puppy classes. It is fun to have another doodle in the class with us. She is getting to be more fun each day. She has not lost her teeth yet - I am sure she will soon. We have also found a fleecy harness that works really well for her when she is riding in the car (Petco). Has anyone had their doodle trimmed yet? She will be 5 months on 11/7. Right now she has that "paw in the socket" look which is cute. Keep enjoying your pups!

[j u l i e]

these dogs are incredibly smart breeds!! i've only been with taylor for a week and all he wants to do is learn tricks!!or maybe its justthat he'll do anything for a treat but he just picks up a trick in a few minutes. he's learned sit, down, up, dance, paw, pound, wave, speak, kisses, crawl, turn, and if i hide a treat in one had he uses his hand to tell me which hand it's in.... i'm going to try and get a video of it so i can upload it. he's pretty amazing!!