You said you've had his vision checked but what about his hearing? Also, I have to say that like people, all animals have varying intelligence. I know here is a user on here who has a "special dog" but I believe he has a birth defect/deformed skull. Otherwise maybe just love him as he is! I'd just be careful if he reacts badly to people coming in unannounced.
My first stupid dog
I've had four dogs in the past and almost a year ago picked up my newest. He was 8 months old and a rescue dog. His past is unknown, but he was found running with a pack of grown hunting dogs, all of which had seemed to be abandoned. He was the youngest among them, and quite scrawny, and the fact he was able to survive and that his disposition was still domestic suggests he was not out with them for long--perhaps a week.
Anyway, he doesn't show signs of trauma from his time in the wild. The only negative from picking him up late is that he isn't quite as cat friendly as a dog who was raised by cats from the time he was a puppy, but he's shown dramatic improvements on this front.
The point of my posting is this: this is my first stupid dog. All of my other dogs have been reasonably intelligent, with a Newfoundland and cocker spaniel being the most intelligent, a beagle being not far behind, and a slightly less intelligent Irish setter who was lightyears more intelligent than the new dog: a beagle mix of some sort.
I don't think he's 'retarded'. He doesn't have a chromosome disorder. His coordination is average. He's just so much dumber than my next dumbest dog that I wonder if normal dog intelligence varies much more wildly than I had previously experienced and assumed to be the case. Initially I felt his vision was poor, but then I realized his vision is about average for a dog--it's that he doesn't rely on context as much as a typical dog would to compensate for the species' less-than-stellar eyesight. If he sees someone walk by an open doorway of a room he's in, he doesn't use contextual clues (e.g. this person is in my house and I did not smell a stranger) to determine that this is probably not a threat. He goes insane barking and crying. It's the same when someone walks into the backyard from the back door when he's outside. He barks or cowers assuming it's a stranger, then lights up when you're close enough to identify as a friend--speaking to him from afar is not enough to identify oneself as he doesn't connect tone with identity. He also catches a ball about as well as most dogs. Conclusion: I don't think his vision is any worse than the average dog.
Here's the more significant red flag and the reason I registered here: he doesn't know any words. He hasn't picked up a single word. I thought he knew "dinner," but then I realized I could say any word in my "dog voice" around that time of day and he would run to the kitchen. He might know his name (I really hope he does...), but I'm not sure that counts.
He tries very hard to understand, so this isn't a lack of attention or focus. I've never seen a dog **** his head so often.
I'm not looking for solutions and I love him regardless, but I'm curious as to if others have had normal but very stupid dogs? I realize he isn't even two years old yet and I know he'll improve some, but this is hardly my first dog, and a non-existent vocabulary at this age is exceptional. I mean, this dog is an absolute moron. He's in a good environment and has a great life, so please do not fear for him based on my frankness
Anyway, he doesn't show signs of trauma from his time in the wild. The only negative from picking him up late is that he isn't quite as cat friendly as a dog who was raised by cats from the time he was a puppy, but he's shown dramatic improvements on this front.
The point of my posting is this: this is my first stupid dog. All of my other dogs have been reasonably intelligent, with a Newfoundland and cocker spaniel being the most intelligent, a beagle being not far behind, and a slightly less intelligent Irish setter who was lightyears more intelligent than the new dog: a beagle mix of some sort.
I don't think he's 'retarded'. He doesn't have a chromosome disorder. His coordination is average. He's just so much dumber than my next dumbest dog that I wonder if normal dog intelligence varies much more wildly than I had previously experienced and assumed to be the case. Initially I felt his vision was poor, but then I realized his vision is about average for a dog--it's that he doesn't rely on context as much as a typical dog would to compensate for the species' less-than-stellar eyesight. If he sees someone walk by an open doorway of a room he's in, he doesn't use contextual clues (e.g. this person is in my house and I did not smell a stranger) to determine that this is probably not a threat. He goes insane barking and crying. It's the same when someone walks into the backyard from the back door when he's outside. He barks or cowers assuming it's a stranger, then lights up when you're close enough to identify as a friend--speaking to him from afar is not enough to identify oneself as he doesn't connect tone with identity. He also catches a ball about as well as most dogs. Conclusion: I don't think his vision is any worse than the average dog.
Here's the more significant red flag and the reason I registered here: he doesn't know any words. He hasn't picked up a single word. I thought he knew "dinner," but then I realized I could say any word in my "dog voice" around that time of day and he would run to the kitchen. He might know his name (I really hope he does...), but I'm not sure that counts.
He tries very hard to understand, so this isn't a lack of attention or focus. I've never seen a dog **** his head so often.
I'm not looking for solutions and I love him regardless, but I'm curious as to if others have had normal but very stupid dogs? I realize he isn't even two years old yet and I know he'll improve some, but this is hardly my first dog, and a non-existent vocabulary at this age is exceptional. I mean, this dog is an absolute moron. He's in a good environment and has a great life, so please do not fear for him based on my frankness
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There's certainly a range in intelligence, but honestly he doesn't sound really all that abnormal or dumb...
Not understanding words is far more common than you think. Dogs learn body language (hand gestures/signals and other physical cues), tone, and contextual cues far more quickly than words. I see it all the time in students. When hand signals and other gestures are suddenly removed, the dog doesn't understand. Ask for something new in a context the dog previously was asked for one behavior only, and the dog is completely confused. This is often because the owner did not correctly train a word or verbal cue.
As far as the reactivity, I would likely have sight and hearing checked by vet if you haven't already. But it's not unusual for sensitive dogs to react to the sudden appearance of something they aren't super comfy with. I understand he's barking at you, but think of this more as a startle response. Nothing is there, then Bam! Person! He startles and then calms down in a second when he realizes you're you, not the boogeyman.
Not understanding words is far more common than you think. Dogs learn body language (hand gestures/signals and other physical cues), tone, and contextual cues far more quickly than words. I see it all the time in students. When hand signals and other gestures are suddenly removed, the dog doesn't understand. Ask for something new in a context the dog previously was asked for one behavior only, and the dog is completely confused. This is often because the owner did not correctly train a word or verbal cue.
As far as the reactivity, I would likely have sight and hearing checked by vet if you haven't already. But it's not unusual for sensitive dogs to react to the sudden appearance of something they aren't super comfy with. I understand he's barking at you, but think of this more as a startle response. Nothing is there, then Bam! Person! He startles and then calms down in a second when he realizes you're you, not the boogeyman.
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@ralphonzo does your dog at least look intelligent.:thumbsup: ...lol.
This is what I have. lol:
HaHa with his most dorkiest look:
(you can also see how on the right, that eye is larger than the other one.)
His head is also pretty narrow...should be much broader than what it is.
In the one, you can see how short his muzzle is...it should be a bit longer than that.
And here he is looking rather pretty, I think : )
The dog next to him is Jaya, she's partly feral. She has a hard time learning just due to sheer fear of human beings, she was pretty abused by her former owner, but she's getting better, slowly but surely. I've had her for about 3 years now and gaining her trust. A dog can't learn anything in a fearful state of mind, but every so often I see progress with her and it thrills me to no end.
Stormy
This is what I have. lol:
HaHa with his most dorkiest look:
(you can also see how on the right, that eye is larger than the other one.)
His head is also pretty narrow...should be much broader than what it is.
In the one, you can see how short his muzzle is...it should be a bit longer than that.
And here he is looking rather pretty, I think : )
The dog next to him is Jaya, she's partly feral. She has a hard time learning just due to sheer fear of human beings, she was pretty abused by her former owner, but she's getting better, slowly but surely. I've had her for about 3 years now and gaining her trust. A dog can't learn anything in a fearful state of mind, but every so often I see progress with her and it thrills me to no end.
Stormy
Does this answer your question?
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Ok, so I deliberately posted one of his worst pictures just to embarrass him... He doesn't look especially smart. He has sort of a small head and small eyes and doesn't look much like my old beagle, but the vet thinks he looks normal. His face isn't very expressive for whatever reason so he often looks the same despite mood differences, which is pretty funny.
I think HaHa actually looks pretty cute, but yeah, you can kind of tell there's something going on there.
Ok, so I deliberately posted one of his worst pictures just to embarrass him... He doesn't look especially smart. He has sort of a small head and small eyes and doesn't look much like my old beagle, but the vet thinks he looks normal. His face isn't very expressive for whatever reason so he often looks the same despite mood differences, which is pretty funny.
I think HaHa actually looks pretty cute, but yeah, you can kind of tell there's something going on there.
Personally I don't think your dog necessarily is dumb or abnormal, as people mentioned above, it is quite normal for dogs not to recognise words, but you could train him other ways as well. If you have all medical issues ruled out then I think you can find some other methods to train himAlso your dog is adorable
Also your dog is adorableI have a dumb dog. I mean really dumb. Chess is 7 and knows more phrases, words, gestures and routines than I can count. Then I have Reese. She's 14 and I've had her over 10 years. She knows to wait til I say ok for her food, and if you tell her to sit(with a treat only) she'll either sit or lay down. And she knows her name. That's literally it. She doesn't pay attention and runs into walls, rocks and doors. She can't be house trained, although I did eventually manage to crate train her. But she is the happiest, sweetest dog I've ever met, and I wouldn't trade her for anything. She bounces around like a little rabbit, always happy to see what comes next. Some dogs are just lacking in the brains department
Try teaching him things with hand signals, this might work a lot better for your dog. Dogs pick up on them much easier anyway.
Dogs pick up on them much easier anyway.Thanks to all of you who have voiced positive sentiments (that's nearly everyone). I realize there are advocates here, and advocacy has its place. I think if I were complaining about my dog, voicing frustration, demanding solutions and suggesting I was about ready to give up on him, then someone should put me in my place. However, given all I've said here, I don't think anyone should pity my dog. There are few better places he could be.
I don't think there's anti-hound bias in this thread... I had a beagle who was quite smart. I do know they can be exceptionally stubborn (anything they smell takes priority over anything they hear, see, even feel) and I've had that experience before, and the solution was simple: just let her be stubborn. I'm here to serve, not the other way around. I know plenty of people will disagree with that, and I would certainly be taking the wrong approach if I sought to utilize my dogs in ways traditional to their breed (or in any way at all), but I didn't have a problem with having a stubborn, sometimes gripy old lady of a beagle in the past, nor will I have a problem with a dumb beagle(ish) today. Dogs are only here a short time compared to the average human, so I don't mind accommodating them as I'm not after the perfect dog, whatever that is. Maybe you shouldn't coddle the troublesome kid because of what he might become later, but my dog is relatively inconsequential to the outside world. He's not going to grow up to be in and out of jail with a 12-page rap sheet
About the picture: he never looks like that. That was the worst (among the funniest) photo I've ever taken of him. He's usually submissive in a confusing situation (unless the perceived stranger is black--he's a flagrant racist), but otherwise happy and outgoing. His relatively flat affect I think I mostly base on the minimal movement of his brows compared my old beagle, whose eyes spoke volumes. This is probably just his genetics and not his attitude. I don't see much of my old dog in him, though he is undeniably part beagle. As for figures walking by doorways, he really only reacts to them a couple times a week. It's not that common.
I have to say I think Chess is the perfect name for a dumb dog
I don't think there's anti-hound bias in this thread... I had a beagle who was quite smart. I do know they can be exceptionally stubborn (anything they smell takes priority over anything they hear, see, even feel) and I've had that experience before, and the solution was simple: just let her be stubborn. I'm here to serve, not the other way around. I know plenty of people will disagree with that, and I would certainly be taking the wrong approach if I sought to utilize my dogs in ways traditional to their breed (or in any way at all), but I didn't have a problem with having a stubborn, sometimes gripy old lady of a beagle in the past, nor will I have a problem with a dumb beagle(ish) today. Dogs are only here a short time compared to the average human, so I don't mind accommodating them as I'm not after the perfect dog, whatever that is. Maybe you shouldn't coddle the troublesome kid because of what he might become later, but my dog is relatively inconsequential to the outside world. He's not going to grow up to be in and out of jail with a 12-page rap sheet
About the picture: he never looks like that. That was the worst (among the funniest) photo I've ever taken of him. He's usually submissive in a confusing situation (unless the perceived stranger is black--he's a flagrant racist), but otherwise happy and outgoing. His relatively flat affect I think I mostly base on the minimal movement of his brows compared my old beagle, whose eyes spoke volumes. This is probably just his genetics and not his attitude. I don't see much of my old dog in him, though he is undeniably part beagle. As for figures walking by doorways, he really only reacts to them a couple times a week. It's not that common.
I have to say I think Chess is the perfect name for a dumb dog
Dogs are color blind so they can't be "racist". At the very most they can perceive certain colors, however, I don't believe those colors would make him capable of differing between you - your black friend - or someone with gray skin.I don't think there's anti-hound bias in this thread... I had a beagle who was quite smart. I do know they can be exceptionally stubborn (anything they smell takes priority over anything they hear, see, even feel) and I've had that experience before, and the solution was simple: just let her be stubborn. I'm here to serve, not the other way around. I know plenty of people will disagree with that, and I would certainly be taking the wrong approach if I sought to utilize my dogs in ways traditional to their breed (or in any way at all), but I didn't have a problem with having a stubborn, sometimes gripy old lady of a beagle in the past, nor will I have a problem with a dumb beagle(ish) today. Dogs are only here a short time compared to the average human, so I don't mind accommodating them as I'm not after the perfect dog, whatever that is. Maybe you shouldn't coddle the troublesome kid because of what he might become later, but my dog is relatively inconsequential to the outside world. He's not going to grow up to be in and out of jail with a 12-page rap sheet
About the picture: he never looks like that. That was the worst (among the funniest) photo I've ever taken of him. He's usually submissive in a confusing situation (unless the perceived stranger is black--he's a flagrant racist), but otherwise happy and outgoing. His relatively flat affect I think I mostly base on the minimal movement of his brows compared my old beagle, whose eyes spoke volumes. This is probably just his genetics and not his attitude. I don't see much of my old dog in him, though he is undeniably part beagle. As for figures walking by doorways, he really only reacts to them a couple times a week. It's not that common.
I have to say I think Chess is the perfect name for a dumb dog
So if he is cowering at your black friend it is more than likely your friend's approach, smell, size, sex, voice (loud person), or body language that is making the dog cower.
Cowering at confusion can you clarify what you mean? Sudden loud noises, screaming, crashing & banging. Dogs are generally extremely perceptive - they have ears & noses that hear & smell many times better than ours - so if he is "confused" about just simple things [e.g. coming & going from the car] he lacks confidence and/or is stressed. Makes sense why he isn't learning.
The dog is part beagle. He is more a hunting beagle type than a show or pet beagle type. The differences between the two types can be quite different because simply put hunting dogs are not bred to look pretty, they are bred to work.
As for your prior beagle being "stubborn" - beagles aren't stubborn. Hounds aren't stubborn. They need a handler who can redirect their attention - usually through simple clicker & treat training & repeat [because as I said, hounds are smart - they get bored with the same old play fetch & will find ways to entertain themselves] - away from whatever catches their attention.
I have a greyhound, Nemo, who was a former racing dog. So he has quite a bit of hunting instinct in him, without it he would have been "useless" as a racing dog. Greyhounds are sight hounds - he used to zero in on squirrels & cats and anything smaller than him like a heat seeking missile. If he is wearing his vest / backsack [which has his ball & a water bottle] and "working" he is focused only on his job. Took a lot to redirect him, however, I'd rather have a properly trained dog than one trying to rip my arm off every time a cat ran across the road. Vest off - then it is time to chase squirrels in the backyard.
I repeat get a trainer involved or figure out something to train the dog. Not all dogs respond to the same training method - that the stray is probably from hunting lines means he'll be "stupider" [aka stubboner, in all actuality smarter] than other types. Give him a job. If he is from hunting lines like his looks appear he needs a job. A hunting beagle isn't going to be happy with a pat on the head & good boy.
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