FLIP THE TIN - 5 minutes Does your dog show initiative?
This is a view-of-the-world test. Your dog must be able to understand that even though the object disappears from view, it still exists. If the treat has a strong smell, the test would not be conclusive, because scent would give its position away.
What do I need?
A small tin, plastic cup or an empty cardboard box such as a shoe box (make sure that the end of the tin isn't sharp)
A pet treat or toy that isn't too smelly
The walkthrough below describes the stages of the test:
Step 1: Let your dog see you place the treat or toy on a rug or carpet.
Step 2: Place the tin or box over the toy or treat.
Step 3: Leave your dog with the tin or box. Step 4: How does your dog react?
Results:
A - Dog flips tin/box over
B - Dog shows an interest in tin/box, but gives up
C - Dog completely ignores tin/box
If option A - Your dog understands what psychologists call "object permanence". It realises that objects continue to exist even after they have disappeared from view. This is cleverer than you may imagine. To understand this, it must believe in a world beyond its perception.
If option B - Your dog shows signs that it understands that the treat still exists under the vessel. This could be because it can still smell the treat, or it could be because it still imagines it to be there. The latter takes some thought and your dog is being fairly smart. You might also consider trying the test with another vessel or on another surface in case it was just to difficult to flip over.
If option C - Your dog has shown that it doesn't understand the idea that an object exists when it isn't perceived. For many dogs this is a natural response, it takes a leap of imagination to picture a world beyond the one that we see in front of us. We humans act the same way until we are about 9 months old.
