Is your dog a genius? 3 easy IQ tests you can do in your living room đ§ đŸ
Updated 17 October 2026
In short: these three games (the towel, the treat under the furniture, the toy names) are inspired by tests popularised by psychologist Stanley Coren. They show how your dog solves a problem, but they aren't scientific IQ tests: motivation, breed and habit matter a lot. Good to know: learning the names of several toys is rare, even with training.
What do you need?
- A large, clean, light towel.
- Favourite treats, cut into small pieces.
- Two toys your dog knows.
- A timer (your phone will do).
Do the tests when your dog is relaxed, without forcing anything. If it seems worried (tail low, trying to escape), stop: it's a game. See calming signals.
What are the 3 tests?
What it shows: persistence in an unusual situation.
Lay the towel gently over its head and shoulders, start the timer and stay close. Under 15 seconds: very quick. After a minute: take it off and praise your dog.
What it shows: problem solving and use of the paws.
Slide a treat under a low piece of furniture, far enough that its nose can't reach. Give it three minutes at most, then help.
What it shows: understanding of words.
Put two known toys 3 m away and ask for one by name, keeping still (don't look at the toy). Repeat several times, swapping their positions.
What does science say about dog intelligence?
A living-room test measures my dog's IQ.
FALSEIt gives an idea of how it solves a problem on that day. Motivation for treats, familiarity with games and breed strongly affect the result.
All dogs can learn their toys' names.
FALSEIn a Hungarian study (Fugazza et al., 2021), most of 40 dogs trained for three months didn't learn two toy names. Only a few "gifted" dogs, nearly all Border Collies, manage it.
Some dogs know over 1,000 words.
TRUEChaser, a Border Collie, learned the names of 1,022 objects (Pilley and Reid, 2011). An exceptional case, after years of daily training.
Looking at your human when stuck is a sign of being dim.
FALSEIt's a typical social strategy of pet dogs: they've learned that humans are a good solution.
How can you stimulate your dog's mind?
- Scent gamesHide treats around the house or in a rolled-up towel.
- Puzzle toysA stuffable toy keeps it busy and calm.
- New tricksA few minutes a day, with rewards.
- Varied walksLet it sniff: it's real mental exercise.
More ideas: preventing boredom and scent-based dog sports.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my dog is intelligent?
Watch how it solves everyday problems. Home tests are games, not scientific measurements.
What is the most intelligent dog breed?
The Border Collie tops Stanley Coren's obedience ranking, but that ranking mostly measures how easily dogs learn cues.
How many words does a dog understand?
It varies enormously. Most respond to a few dozen words and gestures; a rare few learn hundreds of object names.
My dog fails every test, is that a problem?
Not at all. Motivation and context matter a lot, and these tests say nothing about its kindness or your bond.
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