3 Traits That Mean Your Dog is a Genius

3 Traits That Mean Your Dog Is a Genius

Your dog might be smarter than you think. Not because they figured out how to open the pantry, that's just determination.

But scientists have identified three specific traits that separate true canine geniuses from the rest. Curiosity, focus, and self-control.

These "label-learner" dogs can identify hundreds of objects by name alone, which is about as rare as a quiet beagle.

1. Curiosity

Genius dogs spend significantly more time examining new objects than regular dogs. They don't just glance and move on.

They inspect, reconsider, and come back for another look.

If your dog stares at a new toy like it's a puzzle that needs solving instead of immediately shredding it, that's a good sign.

2. Focus

These dogs don't engage in chaotic digging through a basket of toys. They zero in on specific items and stay with them.

While most dogs treat commands like background noise, genius dogs lock in.

If your dog can ignore the squirrel long enough to actually finish what you asked them to do, congratulations, you might have a smart one.

3. Self-Control

From personal experience, my late labrador retriever liked a ball so much that she would not consider anything else, food, water, other dogs, etc., as long as a ball was present. Rest in peace Macy.

Any way. Genius dogs resist that impulse.

They override their preferences to follow instructions, which is the canine equivalent of not eating the entire pizza before your guests arrive.

One dog in the study, Harvey, memorized the names of 203 toys. [InsideBedroom] Most dogs can't even remember where they buried their bone last week.

Researchers say this study is a first step toward developing a "Puppy IQ Test" [InsideBedroom] to identify young dogs with serious learning potential.

Until then, if your dog examines new things, stays focused, and doesn't lose their mind every time a tennis ball appears, you might just have a genius on your hands.