Studies have consistently shown how intelligent dogs are. They have advanced memory skills and can even read and react appropriately to their humans' voice commands, gestures, and actions. According to research, a dog's IQ is 100, similar to a 2-year-old's.

According to several behavioural measures, dogs' mental abilities are very similar to that of a 2-year old. There are different types of intelligence a dog may possess depending on their breed. 

The Three Types of Dog Intelligence

Depending on the dog's breed and genetics, they may be more intelligent than you think. There are three main types of dog intelligence. 

Instinct Intelligence

Their breed type can be used to infer their innate intellect. Guard dogs protect property, retrievers fetch, hounds track or chase, border collies herd livestock, pointers locate birds by pointing, and companion dogs are sensitive to social cues from people and comfort us when we are sad or upset.

Adaptive Intelligence

In essence, adaptive intelligence measures how much a dog can teach himself. It entails problem-solving, gaining knowledge from experience in his environment, and other activities. Adaptive intelligence can differ among individuals of the same breed.

Working and Obedience Intelligence 

Working and obedience intelligence, based on what a dog can learn to perform when given instructions by people or dog owners, is the intelligence most similar to what we may refer to as school-learning ability. It matters because if dogs didn't respond to human commands, they wouldn't be able to carry out the practical functions humans first valued them for, implying that they would never have been domesticated and wouldn't be living among us now.

How are Dog IQ Tests Done?

These tests are specifically designed to evaluate your dog's ability to learn and retain information. 

The Towel Test

Give your dog a large towel or blanket to explore and become used to. When it is cozy, put it over your dog's head. This exercise will show you how clever your dog is at problem-solving.

If your dog manages to free himself in less than fifteen seconds, give him three points; if it takes him between fifteen and thirty seconds, give him two points; and if it takes him more than thirty seconds, give him one point.

The Hidden Treat Test

Place a treat on the ground and cover it with a cloth. Please find out how long the dog takes to receive the treat by getting your stopwatch.

Giving your dog three points for calculating in under fifteen seconds, two points for calculating in between fifteen and sixty seconds, and one point for calculating in more than sixty seconds.

Which Cup?

Put two or three empty cups or buckets in a row and turn them upside down. Put a reward under one of the containers as your dog observes. Before letting him go in search of the treat, divert him for a short while. This will test your dog's memory and reveal how well-versed they are in information acquisition and retention.

Points are awarded if the player travels directly to the container containing the treat, checks one empty container before discovering the correct one, and investigates both incorrect containers before discovering the treat.

Problem-Solving

Place a treat or dog food within reach of your dog's paw below a piece of furniture that is low enough to the ground for only his paw to fit. This exercise will test your dog's logic and problem-solving abilities.

If it takes your dog less than a minute to reach for the dog treat using only his paw, award him three points. Give him two points if he tries to fit his head into the space first or utilizes both his paws and his nose, and one point if he completely gives up.

Beyond the Barrier

This will involve imagination, but it's still a useful exam to offer your dog. A large cardboard barricade with a slit that you can use to show your dog a reward must be too high for the dog to leap over and too narrow for the dog to fit through.

For exactly 60 seconds, as the handler, you must maintain to encourage the dog to get the treat before ceasing. Use your stopwatch to time the dog and assign a score based on that.

If it takes your dog 30 seconds or less to realize that he needs to walk around the barrier to collect the treat, award him three points. Give him two points if it takes him longer than 30 seconds to figure it out; subtract one point if he attempts to scale the window or bulldoze through the barrier instead of going around it.

How are These Tests Scored?

A specific scoring system is used in order to determine their IQ

Scoring System

13 to 15 points - Genius

9 to 12 points - Smart

5 to 8 points - Potential Smart

1 to 4 points - Your dog may require assistance navigating and completing tasks.

How Can You Improve Your Dog's Score?

Find your dog the treat they will most like. They won't work as hard if they are not motivated by the reward. This can include genuine meat, cheese, or any other delectable treats.

Puzzle games are fun! Through play, interactive dog toys test your dog's capacity for problem-solving and develop its cognitive talents.

Give them some time. Being diligent does not yield results immediately, so be patient with your dog and keep training.