TEST 1
The goal of this test:
To measure your dog's problem-solving skills. Can he push open a door to get something he wants on the other side?
You'll need:
l a dog crate
l a treat
Do the test:
1. Put your dog in his crate. Push the door closed, but don't latch it. Show
your dog the treat and call him.
2. If you don't have a crate, put your dog in a room with a door that opens AWAY from him. (The object of this test is to see if he will push a door outward.) Since doors are usually solid, he won't be able to see the treat through the door, so you'll just have to call him and hope that he wants to come to you badly enough that he will push the door.
SCORING
If he pushes the door open and comes out within 10 seconds...
Score 5
If he comes out in 10-30 seconds...
Score 4
If he comes out in 30-60 seconds...
Score 3
If he tries to get out by pushing or pawing the door, but doesn't get out within 60 seconds...
Score 2
If he whines or barks, but doesn't make much of an effort to get out...
Score 1
If he just stays there passively and doesn't seem to care...
Score 0
TEST 2
Now let's reverse the test!
The goal of this test:
To measure your dog's problem-solving skills. Can he PULL open a door to get something he wants on the other side?
Do the test:
1. With your dog watching closely, place the treat INSIDE his crate. Make sure he can see it in there. You may need to use a larger treat than usual, or even a favorite bone or toy.
2. Push the door closed, but don't latch it. Point out the treat to your dog and encourage him to get it.
3. As before, if you don't have a crate, you can use a room where your dog has to pull a door toward himself
SCORING
If he pulls or noses the door open and gets inside within 10 seconds...
Score 5
If he gets inside in 10-30 seconds...
Score 4
If he gets inside in 30-60 seconds...
Score 3
If he tries to get in by pawing or nosing the door, but doesn't do so within 60 seconds...
Score 2
If he whines or barks, but doesn't make much of an effort to get in...
Score 1
If he just stays there passively and doesn't seem to care...
Score 0
TEST 3
The goal of this test:
To measure your dog's problem-solving skills. Can he maneuver his way over an obstacle to get something he wants on the other side?
You'll need:
l a narrow hallway
l a huge pile of pillows and blankets
l a treat
Do the test:
1. Choose a narrow hallway in your home. Pile lots of pillows and blankets across the center of the hallway, blocking it. Make the pile high enough and deep enough that your dog can't simply hop over it, but will actually have to clamber across it. It should be challenging. It should,
however, be stable, so it doesn't tumble too much when he's trying to climb up.
2. Start your dog on the side where he feels most "trapped." In other words, if there are nothing but bedrooms at one end of the hallway, while the other end leads to the major part of your house, start him on the "bedroom" side of the pillows. This will provide him more incentive to
leave his boring space and get back to the rest of the house.
3. Have a helper hold your dog on the side you've chosen for him. You, of course, are on the other side, calling your dog and waving a tasty treat.
SCORING
If he immediately clambers across the pillows...
Score 5
If he comes across in 10-30 seconds...
Score 4
If he comes across in 30-60 seconds...
Score 3
If he makes a few attempts to climb up, but keeps stopping or turning back, and doesn't make it across within 60 seconds...
Score 2
If he whines or barks, but doesn't make much of an effort to cross the pillows...
Score 1
If he just stays there passively and doesn't make any effort...
Score 0