FYI: My Dog Is A Very Good Listener, But How Much Can He Understand?

Ha!
This isn't surprising at all!
I've had a Rat Terrior for a couple of years now and she seems to be able to understand everything from body gestures-to-Speaking plain english.

Dogs have been with humans for over 30,000 years (History Channel - The History of Dogs) and they are so in tune with us that they can tell what we are going to do before we do it. It is as if they can hear our thoughts and understand what we are trying to convey to them. I have a boxer and he is, by nature, kinder and more loving than most humans I have come across...he loves everyone - animal and human, but I have noticed that he will not allow anyone with a mental disorder, like mental retardation come close to him or me and he even growls if they get too close. You cannot determine what a person with a mental disorder will do or when they will do it, and I think he can detect that, that is why he is so protective of me when we are around a person with a mental disorder. He can understand everything I say to him, but just like a child, he only listens when it benefits him. If he doesn't want to do something that I ask him to do, he ignores me. He has made himself my best friend and he is possessive of me with both animal and human. I love him more than I love my ex-wife --- okay, you should make that, "I love him a lot more than I do my ex-wife."

I used to have a Jack Russell Terrier. He knew the names of almost all of his toys and enjoyed playing the hot/cold game where you guide someone in finding something by saying hot, cold, cooler, warmer. He was an ace at that.

My Sheltie becomes a genius when food is involved and will obey every command. Once feeding is over, back to ignoring commands. ;)

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In space, no one can hear a tree fall in the forest.

Dogs read body language better than any animal alive, it's part of the pack nature. Domestic dogs have adapted that to us after some evolution. Verbal language isn't so prominent in dealing with humans as our body language, dogs only comprehend single syllables, which is why commands are givin that way. In our sentence and multiple syllable names, dogs clue to the key word and deduce the rest from our body language at the moment. And they are very good at that, it's like lip reading for them. Verbal communication is all Charley Brown to them.

I own 3 Yorkie. One day while watching TV, I had fallen asleep. I woke up a little drowsy and notice one of them typing quickly and focus on the computer, glance at me and the other two Yorkie. I then look to my side and saw the other 2 Yorkie attacking these sticky probes to my head and then I fell asleep again.

Hours later, I woke up and all 3 dogs were sleeping and the nothing was attaché to my head. Then I felt the need to go to the store and buy a bag of dog toys and lots of doggies’ treats...

I thought it was a dream, but looking back now, I am suspicious.....

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Science sees no further than what it can sense, i.e. facts.
Religion sees beyond the senses, i.e. faith.
Open your mind and see!

Haha, oh robot, your posts are awesome. I'm currently trying to decide on a dog breed. Border Collies keep coming up as a favorite choice for people looking for trainable dogs, but the only ones I have ever known in real life are incredibly needy to the point it's annoying. It's a tough choice to decide on a dog breed. There are so many options and crosses and traits to choose from. It could take me years!

DickySimms, please DO NOT GET a Border Collie! They are fantastic dogs, but to say they are too needy is like saying a genius child would be bored in remedial reading. They need to be challenged and exercised because they are THE smartest breed and the epitome of fitness. I have two "working breed" dogs and if you do not have a lot of time to work with them they will find themselves a job you will not be happy with (chewing, digging, barking, running deep tracks around your yard!) There's a reason you see so many Golden Retrievers: they are generally sweet, loving dogs who don't ask a lot from their companions. There's also a reason so many borders end up at the shelter: people think they're cute puppies and get one without thinking it through.
The best thing to do is get a mixed breed rescue from the shelter and find a good trainer to help you get the dog started on the right paw.

I have an Australian Shepherd/Golden Retriever mix. The other night a very naughty St Bernard was running through the neighborhood and would not obey its people. So I called my dog and walked him near the loose dog. As expected the dog did come over but I couldn't get near enough to grab him. Then the St Bernard took off--they are rather quick--and all I said to my dog was "Go get him, Bear". And my dog took off and was bouncing around the St Bernard trying to get him to play and interact. We did distract the dog long enough to grab him this time. I have not trained my dog to do this but his level of understanding in that scenario really impressed me.

I simply talk to my Yorkie as friends all the time and yes in many ways they understand. One does the roll over and sits perfectly. They are all paper trained. As I come home from work, I ask them all to get in the boxes and then I clean the paper. Two of they are completely frighten of lightening and will seek me out to hold them, during a storm. They are there have the emotion of jealousy, if they sense I am giving one too much attention. When I leave them alone during the day, I leave the soft music channel on and when I get home, the radio channel often is moved. These guys are smart!

Since the doggie toy and treat incident, I never leave my credit card where they can see it and no longer take naps on the sofa. I have learned my lesson well!

The oldest one sits in my lap as I drive me car and points in the direction of the store, I typically go. One time a car cut me off driving and I could sware she gave the other driver the paw!

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Science sees no further than what it can sense, i.e. facts.
Religion sees beyond the senses, i.e. faith.
Open your mind and see!

I saw this article on popsci a few weeks ago.

That said, I like Huskis.

When I talk to my dog all he hears is;

Blah blah blah FOOD blah blah
Food Blah blah blah FOOD
Blah blah blah Blah blah blah FOOD

My dog likes tennis, swimming. understands Polish and Russian.

You have heard the story of Sparky, Mr. Edison's shaggy dog?

I wonder where Catahoulas placed in the rankings (assuming that someone in the judging had heard of Catahoulas, and was able to provide some.) I have always been impressed with my girls ability to watch and learn. At the age of 5 months old she brought me the sprinkler head from out side and placed it at my feet, indicating that she wanted to play in the hose. He figured out that the water she loved to play in came from the sprinkler head. She quickly understood the laser pointer too, she would chase the dot on the ground but she knew that it was coming from the thing in my hand. When I shut off the beam she didn't search the area, she nosed my hand telling me to turn it back on.

@Prisor Well there weren't MY border collies. They were other people's and I can assure you they probably weren't stimulated as you say. I'm currently looking for a dog that can handle all-the-time training and activity. The smarter the better, basically. Your "Don't get a Border Collie" post may have inadvertently convinced me they could very well be the breed for me, haha. I will be training the dog and it will absolutely be stimulated and consistently. I also live a stone's throw from the dog park in my area. But, as you say, a cross may be in order as this would be my first Border Collie experience. I'm likely not even making my decision this year, still in the research phase.

Dogs are smart. The smartest dog I had could barely be taught a trick, but that was simply because she didn't want to do tricks, in fact if you called her name she would look at you, but not come, she would simply cock her had as if to say "What? Is this really worth my attention?" on the other hand, she would consistently manipulate the real world. For instance, I was in the living room with our other dog, a rather needy and follower type mutt. She was chewing her raw hide. I heard a deep howling and cage rattling from the other room. Thinking the smart dog was in trouble I ran into the other room. She was half in her crate with her paw stuck in the gate. The follower dog soon ran after me to check thing out. Immediately the smart dog looked at the follower, lifted her paw and scrambled into the living room to snatch up the raw hide. She would consistently take advantage of the follower dog's nature. I first witnessed another such trick when the smart dog knocked on the back door to be let in (yes she would knock, she would also look both ways before crossing a street and not go if a car was coming) I came to the door and opened it to let her in. She came half in and barked and the follower dog as if to say... "what are you waiting for?" the follower dog left her rawhide out side and came in. The smart dog, never fully in the house than turned around and retrieved the raw hide. I witnessed her pull this one at least 20 times. There was also the winter trips outside. The smart dog would knock on the sliding door to be let out, then stay out a total of about 4 minutes then ask to be let in. She really liked the cool air, but didn't want to stay out long. We got tired of getting up and ended up ignoring her after the first let out to go to the bathroom. Then later that month she got a rawhide caught in her throat and started yacking it up. This got us moving and we let her outside. (we later had to pull the rawhide out ourselves, it was caught half in) apparently this was enought to teach her the pattern though, because when we proceeded not to let her out every 10 minutes she started to pretend to she needed to throw up! This worked a quite a few times until we figure out it was a trick. Then the very next day the smart dog came up with a new plan to force herself to through up by yacking up so bad! Since apparently she had figured out how to force it she got out whenever she wanted to the rest of the winter (with the occaisonal reminder of what she would do if we crossed her). On the other hand, she also did some very nice things, such as stop her loud barking which was scaring the follower dog and learn to bark softly, make her own bed on her bed chair (by straightening out the blanket with her maw (a long process since she was on the chair while doing it (she even tried to put the blanket over the back of the chair, but decided it was too much of an effort to get past her paws when stand leaning on the chair back))), and always walk between the follower dog and the dogs in back yards while we were walking (since the follower dog was scared of barking back yard dogs)). One of the best dogs I've had. Her name was Sammy and she was a Basset Hound.

DickySimms, My apologies if you are that conscientious and can spend that kind of time with your dog, but I still think a border is an very ambitious choice. My two are aussies and they need an hour long walk every day just to take the edge off. We add mental challenges like training new tricks as another way to really tax their energy, so if you are going to work with your new dog full time, more power to you. I love my aussies, but a border is more dog that I think I can handle. If you still choose to go this way find a reputable breeder. They will want to know if you want a "performance dog" or a pet and they will do their best to match the temperament of the dog with your handling ability. A good trainer is also critical, it's the difference between having a great companion for life and a problem child. Good luck and enjoy whichever pup you choose. Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole!

DickySimms, per Robot post, I am inclined to point out that, while diminuative and fragile, Yorkies are very intelligent canines! We've had a few in my lifetime, and they are very interactive and fun, albeit breakable. Low-maintainance small-breed dogs are great for companions, and you could do a LOT worse than a Yorkshire!

Another point of intelligence of Yorkie is not only with humans, but also among other dogs.

My first loves to play with through the toy and retrieve it and tug and war. But the tug and war goes on with the second Yorkie which is highly clever and a thief. She is a little smaller, faster and quicker. When the opportunity presents itself, she will steal the toy from the first Yorkie and take it under my TV cabinet, of which only she can fit. She will pop her head out from front, then left, then right with the toy, shaking it and teasing the first Yorkie. The first York runs to all directions, but is always too late and the second Yorkie takes it to another place, shakes the toy and growls, laughing... Occasionally she will dart out of the cabinet, buz around all the room with the first Yorkie in full chase behind her. She then rounds the corner to the TV cabinet and darts under it again. The second Yorkie is at full speed trying to and her rear brakes do not work so well, crashes into the TV cabinet. At the end, the second Yorkie pops her head out at the other end of the cabinet and shakes the toy, growls and laughs..

Mean while the third Yorkie will sit on the sofa or next to me and just watch the whole event. She is completely attaché to me and if anyone disturbs her or tries to move her away from the side of my leg, including myself, she grows and bites. Luckily her bite is useless or she never hurts. She is all growls monstrous in her desire to be pampered, but in reality, she is extremely sweet and gentle and desires to be calm most of the time.

Also the third Yorkie will pay complete attention, if you decide to talk to her and make a conversation. She focuses very hard in trying to understand me. I have this baby gate that blocks the way up to the second floor. It sits onto of the first step, making it actually taller. She in her desire, SUPER leg powers will just leap over the baby gate and continue following me up the steps. If you say how small she is and how extremely tall the baby gate is comparison, it is really amazing.

The first Yorkie was first to own and as I watch TV programs and movies, she actually will sits next to me and watches the TV too. She participates in the program, grows, focuses’ and sometimes gets upset to the program.

Yorkie are a very intelligent dog, social and I enjoy their unique personalities very much!

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Science sees no further than what it can sense, i.e. facts.
Religion sees beyond the senses, i.e. faith.
Open your mind and see!

One last comment for DickySimms, then I'll shut up. I totally admire your very wise decision to research the breeds before choosing. I'd suggest you visit an agility trial in your area (check out AKC, ASCA and NADAC sites for any upcoming trials, late spring is peak season.) You'll get to see just how smart and athletic some of these dogs are. You can talk to the handlers and research reputable breeders and trainers to help you decide which dog is right for you. Again, sorry if I jumped to a conclusion, but I'm very protective of these guys and while borders really are the smartest and most athletic, they are certainly not for most people. Again, good luck and you sound like you'll make a very good companion.

Hank Simon

@DickySimms - A Golden Retriever is easy to train and gentle. A Labrador Retriever is also easy to train, and forgiving of mistakes. Going to a Lab Rescue and asking for a 2 - 5 year old adult ca make life simpler.

My personal choice is a 'Golden' Lab-German Shepherd mix. Someone should create a designer dog of these, because they have the sharp intelligence of a Shepherd, with the natural friendliness of a Lab...excellent family pets.

I adore Labradors and German Sheppard. These are awesome intelligent family dogs. Get them as tiny as you can and be calm with them and discipline in this calm and you will have a calm dog. This is the only problem I see with these dogs. On occasion they are raised in a hyper type life style and then later the owners ignore them, because they raised them this way. Dogs grow and reflect they personality of the owner. Plus you must assume the posture of being the alpha dog and always be in control.

.............................
Science sees no further than what it can sense, i.e. facts.
Religion sees beyond the senses, i.e. faith.
Open your mind and see!