If a dog is easy to train, does the mean that they are intelligent?

Question

Think about it. I want your opinion and an explanation.

I ask because I think too much, and I don't think being able to sit on command or roll over takes all that much brains.

Answer 1

Maybe it is easy to train because you are a good trainer? Over the years I have found people are what determines a dogs behavior and abilities. Yes, I have run in to dogs that were harder than others and many breeds differ in their willingness. But, dogs in general want to please. A well trained dog is a happy dog and a pleasure to their owner. If your a poor trainer it doesn't matter how intelligent the dog.

Answer 2

Intelligence doesn't necessarily correspond to training. Most dogs that train easily are "smart" but really, training is a matter of repetition. "Practice makes perfect" works for both pets and humans. However, many intelligent dogs are also stubborn, so it takes longer for them to train.

Realize though that "sit" and "roll over" are a foreign language for a dog. It takes some intelligence and repetition for people to learn a foreign language - and some people will never remember simple phrases. So while it may seem like it doesn't take "all that much brains" (I'd suggest that if you wish to prove your intelligence that you choose a more intelligent phrase), it does take a level of comprehension for a dog to connect the foreign words to specific actions or items.

Now, some extremely intelligent dogs can have the comprehension of a toddler. Signs of intelligence in a dog can be seen in its ability to use its paws to hold or manipulate an object, how it quickly it learns its environment, or how it responds to a situation. For example, my mother-in-laws dogs can recognize certain words even if you spell them - like T-R-E-A-T. They don't know any of the basic commands but they recognize things that they want to know.

Answer 3

I would almost think that the higher the intelligence level, the more difficult it would be to train. NOT difficult for the dog to learn, but difficult for the trainer to know how to communicate with the animal.

Notice how all dogs learn very quickly from other dogs? A lot faster then any human could ever teach a new trick. Example.... I've acquired two new dogs in the last 3 years (Bailey and Junior). Bailey learned from my old dog Maverick what her boundaries are as far as the yard goes. When we got Junior (an unruly little beast he was) he learned his boundaries from Bailey.

I don't think it's fair for us to judge based on how the dog learns medial tasks that we humiliate them into doing(roll over, play dead, etc, which my dogs have learned, for the record). These types of things, although probably enjoyed by most dogs due to the fact that they will get a reward, are not natural behavior for them. I think it's more of a communication thing and understanding the dog/pack mentality that will determine how easy or difficult a dog is to train. We have to understand and accept them for what they are, and they aren't humans. I think once you understand "dog" you could train anything.

Answer 4

I seem to think smart dogs are independent and actually need trainer/owner as a friend more than a command giver... Smart dogs are probably harder to train to do tricks... when was the last time you saw a german shep. or a border collie jumping thru hoops? but yet the shepard or collie can guide a blind person around new york city daily with ease...
medial tasks like sit, stay, play dead BORE intelligent dogs... and if trainer/owner doesnt stimulate the dog's mind, the dog often becomes destructive and/or aggressive...
Take a husky for example... very intelligent, very independent... if left un-stimulated, huskies will destroy furniture, the yard, even become aggressive/dominant acting towards their owners... it's NOT cause they are dumb... but cause they are SOOO bored. (like a genius child being stuck in a class with average students)

Answer 5

Not necessecarily. Basset hounds are very intelligent, but are considered difficult to train. This is because they are just not interested in what you are teaching them. You have to get their interest and make it worth their while. They get bored with repetition. They make up variations on the exercises. They want to know what's in it for them. But if it's something that motivates them, they learn very quickly.

Here's an interesting article on the subject.
http://www.flyingdogpress.com/difficult.html

I know some very obedient and easily trained dogs that are as dumb as posts.

Answer 6

They are intelligent because they have the capacity to learn, to understand certain words, and to retain that knowledge over long periods of time.

This may not necessarily be the qualification for High intelligence. But it certainly indicates a greater degree then say fish, or turkeys

Answer 7

It is not the intelligence of the dog but how fast the dog catches on and if you are doing the right training style for the dog.

Answer 8

Dogs are highly intelligent, but not all of them are easy to train. They do adapt quickly to simple tricks like sit and stay. They want to please but the trick abilities are more dependant on the ability to understand animal behaviors of the person teaching them the tricks.

I've always heard that trainers say "dogs that are very smart won't perform tricks." LOL

Answer 9

Intelligence usually means it is harder to train. Trainability does not equal intelligent. Why because they get either bored easily if you use the same method or can think of more ways to get around authority.

Answer 10

A really intelligent dog trains you.
Failing that, they find countless ways to escape the house and yard.
If he's loyal, he'll excel at whatever job you put him to, or he assumes for himself. This would show up in sheep-guarding dogs, who are left to their own devices, blending into their herd of sheep until a coyote or puma approaches.
A somewhat intelligent dog picks up any trick you tell him.
A dumb dog doesn't learn.