Smart Doodles

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Today I was sitting at my kitchen table peeling apples for my famous apple pie and looked up to see Bexter trying to hit his paw on the refrigerator water dispenser lever.  WTD?  I didn't know what he was up to at first; I just thought he was getting into mischief.  (I know, I know...The dog is smarter than his owner) Then, I  noticed that his water dish was out of water and realized he was attempting to get himself a drink.  He has seen me fill his water dish with that fridge water dispenser a million times.  I guess he figured, "Mom, if you're not going to get me a drink, I'll just get one myself." 

 

Now I know that these doodles are known for being smart (which is one of the reasons why I picked one).  Then, I read about Lucy & Ethel letting themselves out the door.  I started thinking...What smart things have your doodles done that have surprised you?

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Murphy's talent is retrieving a ball and ALWAYS bringing it rightback to us, dropping it within inches of our feet or hand. We decided he can estimate where to drop it so it will roll right within our reach. We don't have to take a step. If its more than arms length away, he will immediately pick it back up and move it the few inches it needs to be for us to comfotably reach it. This has always amazed me!
Bella, well she is smart enough to distract Murphy when she wants what he has, open most doors in the house to get in or out of a room, and wiggle her snout under you hand so you rub her. They are all so smart!

[Pat and Traveler]

I LOVE this ball-retrieving talent!!!  Especially when I'm chasing Trav yelling drop it, drop it...  LOL

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

DH started doing this training with him from practically day one. He's had 3 yrs to perfect it. I can sit on the couch and barely move my arm to reach for a ball he returns to me on the couch, not proud to say, some nights it is all the energy I can muster to keep throwing with even this minimal effort. So I
I think he learned quick if he wants to play he has to make it as easy as possible for the old girl.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

 

It always amazes me how smart they are.  All three of our doodles have shown their intelligence.  But we are most proud of Mariner.  This is a dog that survived a brain truama as a puppy.  He was blind and now can see, although not perfectly.  He is on medication to control his seizures - seizure free now for over a year.  After his accident he re-learned how to do everything, from walking to eating and peeing.

 

We normally leave our front door open so only the screen/storm door is closed.  Often the latch does not fully engage (we have also removed the automatic closer).The other day Sharon's hands were full with  groceries and could not open the door.  Mariner took his paws and was able to pull the door open.  If you think about it - he did real problem solving.  First he realized Sharon couldn't open the door by herself and then he figured out he could get it open.  This all comes from a dog that has a brain injury. 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

that's amazing!

[BG and Gavin]

Remarkable Andy!  Mariner is a special dood for sure!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Peri can open a door if it has a levered knob.  Easy. She does it all the time at my parents' house. 

IF it is a normal doorknob and she is ready to go through it, she jumps in the air and puts both of her paws on either side and mimics EXACTLY what we do to open the door.  She can't do it, but she tries. And she looks like a human using two hands to turn a knob.  She is ridiculously smart.

 I caught a pic of it:

[Pat and Traveler]

What a smart girl!! 

[BG and Gavin]

"Darn, no opposal thumbs!"

[Heather Martinez]

Such smart doodles! Teddy once ran into the screen door to our patio when it was closed. The next few times he wanted to go out, he put his paw up where the screen would be and waved it to see if the screen was there before trying to go through!

[Arron (Shadow)]

heck I know people that aren't that smart!