Murphy, You're Smarter Than We Thought....

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think that everyone knows that we've never considered Murphy to be the sharpest knife in the drawer.  He's always been a "slow learner".  That's okay, because he's a goofy, affectionate, and very sweet boy who loves his Mama like crazy.  At least 10 times a day I just shake my head and say "Murph, Murph, Murph, why did you do that?".  He just gives me his "naughty boy" look and I end up laughing.  Well over the past couple of days we've started to think that our Murphy may be way smarter than we thought. 

It started a couple of days ago when we went for one of our long walks.  I put his Gentle Leader on him, and he was not a happy camper.  He thought maybe this was going to be one of our "off leash" walks, but we can't to that on this particular trail.  So he staged a "sit down strike".  Every few steps he'd just "sit down" or stop in his tracks.  My trainer has told me that he can never "win" one of these little challenges, so I just keep walking, which means he has to get up and walk with me.  Anyway, so we're walking and after a while my DH and Guinness get behind us to let a biker pass by.  That's when the DH says "wow, Murph's pooping little poops as he's walking".  Sure enough this little stinker was dropping "pellets" all along the path.  Okay, so what do we do about this?  We backtracked and found that there must have been about 10 of these little poops.  We have only one poop bag, and we start trying to pick them up (actually DH is picking them up), but it's pretty tough with just one  bag.  So I told DH to just kick them to the side of the path since they were really small, which he started doing.  When we had kicked the last one off the path we see a serious jogger heading toward us, and he's running just off the bath...DH says it's easier on the knees than running on the pavement.  This poor guy was destined to step in every one of the poops....I'm sure he wouldn't even see them.  Meanwhile DH and I were moving pretty fast with the boys back to the car...we didn't want to see this guy when he realized what was going on.  So, in hindsight we're thinking that this was Murph's way of getting back at us for making him wear that GL....passive aggressive, but pretty smart.

Then a couple of nights ago he demonstrated some amazing problem solving skills.  I got really sick of the dog toys being all over the house, so I bought a basket with a lid to store them in.  The plan was that I would leave out a couple toys and a couple of antlers, and the rest would stay in the closed basket.  I'd change up the toys every few days.  So I went around the house and collected them all.  Murph was watching this and acting very confused and a little agitated.   Anyway, I got them all "put away", at which point Murph starts pacing around the basket and smelling.  He knows the toys are inside and he wants them out.  He kept looking at the basket and then at me.  I was just sitting here on my computer and not paying attention.  Next thing I notice is Murph trying to figure out how to open the lid.  He tried a few different "techniques" and then he decided his big nose was the tool he needed.  HE DID IT...he actually figured it out.  I thought this was just brilliant of Murph (I have low expectations) and was bragging to his trainer about it....that's when he brought me back to reality.  He said "but Jane, didn't you buy this basket so he WOULDN'T be able to get the toys?".....of yea, maybe I have to rethink my pride and excitement.  Anyway, here's a quick video of Murphy's really smart "trick".

[Melody & Bruin]

Bruin wants to know when the training classes begin  :o)  !!!

 

[Linda and Murphy]

Well done Murphy!!

[Ellen, Brûlée, and Tira]

Poor jogger! Oopsie!
In my classroom, Murphy would be noted as a student with "overlooked potential". Maybe provide him with additional challenges... No more low expectations! Raise the bar for Murphy! Not only learn to put away his toys, but to work against the clock and try for a PB time!

[Donna K & Quincy]

Murphy's report card to this point would have said, Murphy is not working to his ability and would do better if he would just apply himself. He just didn't have the right motivation before. WTG Murphy!

[Jennifer and Jack]

In all fairness to Murphy, he didn't know that the toys were put away so he couldn't have them.... He is so stinking cute, Jack would do the same things if I took his toys away unless i put them out of his reach.

 

Murphy you are so super smart and your mommy loves you so much. We all know you are a lot smarter then you let on...

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Very smart, Murph!!!!!  We had a Springer Spaniel who we thought was just 'ditzy' but we finally realized she was very smart and got out of things by acting dumb!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

You and DH can now rename that particular trail "TURD TRAIL" ha ha

I think you should take the lid off and teach him to put the toys away, and when you are done with that I will send you Daisy to teach her the same.

 

[Anna and Achilles]

What a clever pup!!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Murphy, I don't care what anyone says....I think you are a genius..LOL! Now, teach him to put those toys back in the basket and you have succeeded where I failed with my own children!!! Way to go, Murphy!!!

[Rose Ann and Amante]

Funny! Caution, It always the ones we don't expect!!