Intelligence is demonstrated in how quickly your puppy understands what you want him to do. However, temperament and personality determine whether or not he’ll do as you ask.
A little obedience is worth piles of intelligence. To find out how intelligent your puppy is, watch him play. What does he do? Does he carry objects in his mouth? If so, does he carry particular ones or almost anything? If you bring in a new toy, then hide it under a towel, does your puppy wander away or look for it?
When you have guests your puppy has met before, how does he react to them? Does he remember them or hide behind your legs?
How does your puppy use his paws? Does he use them to retrieve the ball that just rolled under the couch, or are paws strictly for walking?
When your puppy hears an unfamiliar sound, how does he react? Does he hide or seek out the source?
The more involved your puppy is, the more intelligent he’s likely to be. If your puppy isn’t that sharp, don’t worry. He wants to please you, so give him plenty of encouragement and gentle repetition. Socialize at a slow and gentle pace to foster his confidence. Always use praise to encourage the appropriate behavior and supervise him if you don’t completely trust him. Taking a proactive approach to this training will create a loving bond between you and your canine friend and boost his self confidence.
