So my dog's figured out how to use simple tools.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

This would be the new collie we rescued a few months back.

He's a chewer and he's been getting stuff that we leave on top of the dining room table. We figured it's because he was pulling off the table cloth, which he was leaving askew, and grabbing stuff that fell on the floor.

So I wander into the kitchen today, and come back in, and there the little bugger is... standing right on the table, wagging his tail, and looking at me like he just discovered a cure for cancer. Turned out he's figured out how to push the wheeled ottoman out from the living room, into the dining room, and using it as a step ladder. This demonstrates tool use on a level of certain parrots, gorillas, and higher-percentile freepers.

So the moral of this story is- I, for one, welcome our handsome new canine overlords.

[jpgray]

1. Herding dogs are pretty smart in general

I had a sheltie that would herd the family around. And the thing -never fucking slept-.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. Oh, this guy sleeps.

Pushes me out of bed too.

[unpossibles]

5. yes they are

I had a mutt (I think she was part border collie and part Belgian shepherd) that could not be contained. She learned how to get over almost any fence, could open the toilet with no problems, and I even saw her control larger dogs by grabbing their collars and twisting them until the other dogs laid down. Like dogs twice her size. My alarm clock broke and I did not replace it for years because she woke me up at the exact same time for years.

I was afraid she'd figure out the fridge one day: it's the same premise as the toilet, just sideways and a bit harder to open.

The other funny thing, if it was just me and her, she would do tricks right the first time with no sass. Perfectly. As soon as I tried to show her new tricks off to people, she acted like she could not even hear me.

She was smarter than 2 or 3 freepers put together. Smart dogs are sometimes harder to train too, I've noticed.

Much like people, I guess.

[Rising Phoenix]

2. hail the canine overlords!

that is one smart puppy

[some guy]

4. That's pretty cool

I'd bet with a little effort you could teach him to use saws, hammers, etc.

He could build that new addition you've always wanted. :P

:hi:

[Richardo]

6. I praise Allah every day that our JRT does not have thumbs...

:scared:

That is a great dog story, Bornagin...

[Louis Cipher]

7. They are our masters.

Why else would we go around picking up their shit?

[Parche]

8. DOGS

Cats are better!!!! :bounce: :hi:

[Deep13]

9. Let me know when he's chisled a hand-axe out of stone.

:evilgrin:

[SammyWinstonJack]

10. Cool that you rescued him and cool that he is so inventive!

:bounce:

[Debi]

11. Could he write that cancer thing down as soon as possible

(probably easier to use the keyboard than to try to hold a pencil).

Could come in handy....:P