So here's something completely random, but in the spirit of sharing something fun for the new year I thought I'd post this. This is our beagle, Fang, showing who really has the brains in the family. Sadly, after 15 mischievous years he passed away a few months ago, but maybe his little corner on YouTube will help his spirit live on with those who never got to meet him. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnUrNZ-IOdk#GU5U2spHI_4

Jim,

I remember the first time you showed Lori and I that video.  It's as funny now as it was then.

Yes, this one goes back several years and it still makes me smile. :)

Thanks for that Jim.�� Dogs, animals for that matter, are so much smarter than we think.

My last dog was a golden retriever that could unlock the gate to our back yard (moving the latch with his nose).�� I discovered this talent from the guy he chased down the street.

Sometimes its simply amazing what dogs can do.

That is great!

Viva la Fang!

Too funny! Sometimes I wonder if dogs are only ";acting"; when they are around people, and act a completely different way when there is noone around... hmmm?

[quote author=palosjr link=topic=2209.msg11480#msg11480 date=1199337162]
Too funny! Sometimes I wonder if dogs are only ";acting"; when they are around people, and act a completely different way when there is noone around... hmmm?
[/quote]
I'd love to show you the study that proved this true; I can't find it.  But dogs will do whatever they think you want them to do, as long as they interpret it's what you want.  When you're not around, they use their cognitive ability alone, not influenced by trying to please the owner.

I know the study wasn't entirely scientific, but it went like this...  there was a ball under one of three buckets.  The dog got to see it before they were covered.  When the owner wasn't around, the dogs always knew where the ball was.  When the owners prompted them to ";get the ball";, they weren't all that accurate, and were mostly random.  The behavior stemmed from exuberance.

I guess that's why cop-dogs and service-dogs are trained to be calm... 

[quote author=palosjr link=topic=2209.msg11480#msg11480 date=1199337162]
Too funny! Sometimes I wonder if dogs are only ";acting"; when they are around people, and act a completely different way when there is noone around... hmmm?
[/quote]

That's like that Far Side cartoon with the two cows standing upright in the pasture having a conversation. Then a car drives by and you see them standing on all fours acting like cows...