Dog Walkers
Dog owners always claim that their animals aren’t stupid.
I look at the behaviours of people’s dogs and fail to see how they could possibly be personified or considered anything other than dully running around and satisfying basic needs.
For example, take a look at this quick contradiction: the intelligence of pet dogs is “exhibited” by a dog’s ability to learn how to do ‘tricks’ – that’s the ability to recognise an event and respond accordingly. The ability to learn that certain effects follow certain causes is pretty much a vital natural trait. The dog is commanded to sit. It sits. It gets praised.
Then how about this one: the dog fetches a ball, it brings the ball back, it loses its catch, only to have to chase it again.
If a wild dog brought its kill and dropped it at the feet of anyone, it’d starve to death. A friend’s dog keeps a ball and hoards it, growling if anyone approaches. I think this is more intelligent behaviour than if it dropped it into an outstretched hand. But that’s what owners will strive to train a dog to do.
In that respect, a dog’s “intelligence” is measured in its ability and willingness to defy common sense. In light of this, I’d reconsider the use of the word “intelligent” to describe a well-trained dog…
Try “faithful” instead?