I attend a training group occasionally that meets during the week. I always take Libby even though I am working Ziva because it is at a nice park and they can both go for a long walk afterwards. One of the recent participants had a (the breed is not named to protect the innocent) and brought along a new food puzzle that she got for her dog. Remarked that how smart he is to have figured out the 1st piece of it in 5 minutes(but not the whole thing) and that is why this breed is the premier obedience dog . That was the most frequent topic of the morning. As we were finishing up I was asked by the puzzle owner what it is like to have one quick witted and one slow witted dog. I had to ask, since I live with them both, who they thought the slow witted dog was. “Why Libby of course” Why do you think she is slow witted I asked?
Puzzle owner; Because she just lays in her crate in the van while everyone is out working & never does anything or seems to care she is not doing anything. (Note to you all, never assume intelligence requires great physical activity or an extensive show record).
Me; Not quite sure what to say (though several inappropriate things sprung to mind), the day was saved by a friend who knows Libby VERY well and has witnessed some of the activities she does to amuse herself & our feeble attempts to outsmart her.
My Friend; Why don’t you see how Libby does with the puzzle, she says with a smile on her face?
Puzzle owner; Oh ha, ha, that must be a joke.
I say, yes, let’s give it a try, I know Libby just loves to figure things out-especially if food is involved-I’m hoping she puts her full brain to the task.
Puzzle owner; Well remember, we do need to be out of here by dark-ha, ha, ha.
Me; Wait let me get my camera before we start. Below is the dim witted dogs attempt at the puzzle. I’d say she was brilliant:)
OMG – how many stitches are in your tongue from biting it when Libby was called slow-witted? There is nothing “slow” about this dog!
When we say that Alta-Tollhaus dogs are bred for extreme intelligence, that is not b/s – and Libby is proof-positive of this.
Great job to both of you!
You are the epitome of grace under pressure, Lisa. I am not sure I could have restrained myself. What a class act! You do realize that Libby solved the entire puzzle in 20 seconds. Ten seconds had elapsed before she actually started to solve it. She had eaten everything from all the four sections when the elapsed time showed 30 seconds, so it only took her 20 seconds to solve the puzzle. During the remaining time, she was simply licking the compartments and checking the lids for any additional treats. Nothing is left to chance with Libby. Yes, brilliant.
I was so taken aback that someone would actually say that I was speechless for a moment, but you pick your battles. Actually there are 2 layers to the puzzle. The other dog did in 5 minutes what Libby did in 20 seconds. Then they have to spin the yellow disc on the toy to finish. You can see the little pieces of cheese in small round holes if you look closely The other dog was never able to figure that out. Maybe I will ask her to bring the puzzle again & see how long it takes Z-Evil one. I think the shaping I did when they were younger just makes them used to figuring things out, although I think Libby also gets a genetic boost from her mama 🙂
Ok, now I understand. Libby is smarter than I am. Of course, she has benefited from Allie’s genetics, but I am totally convinced that we can’t compete with certain measures of intelligence that our dogs demonstrate. Libby is off the charts, but with a little more time, I am sure I could figure that out!
That is so cool Lisa!!
Libby did a great job solving the puzzle so quickly.