The Dog Daily: Are Dogs Like Human 2-year-olds?

Are Dogs Like Human 2-year-olds?
Jennifer Viegas for The Dog Daily

Are Dogs Like Human 2-year-olds?
Canine Conduct

Children go through the "terrible 2s," a developmental stage characterized by whining, misbehavior and perpetual inquisitiveness.

Dogs do something similar, only they never grow out of it. Canines aren't quite as terrible, however, because they can't throw a decent temper tantrum.

Numerous recent studies compare dogs to human 2-year-olds, both in terms of intelligence and behavior.

Consider the following:

Dogs Do Math

Did you know that your dog is able to count up to four or five? Dogs also notice errors in simple computations, such as 1 + 1 = 1 or 1 + 1 = 3, based on research published in the journal Animal Cognition. Such studies on dogs use images or actual objects, not words.

Canine researcher Dr. Stanley Coren, a psychology professor at the University of British Columbia, agrees that dogs are much smarter than we tend to think. "We all want insight into how our furry companions think, and we want to understand the silly, quirky and apparently irrational behaviors that Lassie or Rover demonstrate," he says. "Their stunning flashes of brilliance and creativity are reminders that they may not be Einsteins but are sure closer to humans than we thought."

Dogs Understand Words

The average dog can learn around 165 words. But canines in the top 20 percent of dog intelligence -- or "super dogs," as Coren calls them -- can learn 250 words.

Is your pet a super dog? Coren lists the seven smartest known breeds:

1. Border collies

2. Poodles

3. German shepherds

4. Golden retrievers

5. Dobermans

6. Shetland sheepdogs

7. Labrador retrievers

Dogs Comprehend Our Complex Visual Signals

Another recent study in Animal Cognition tested dogs, as well as 2- and 3-year-old kids, on their ability to understand various pointing gestures. This was a workout for the scientific team, as they pointed with their elbows, legs, knees, arms and fingers. The dogs tied with the 2-year-olds.

Lead author Gabriella Lakatos, a research assistant at Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest, Hungary, says her team demonstrated "that dogs can understand pointing gestures if a body part protrudes from the body silhouette." If you want your dog to understand your finger pointing, outstretch your entire arm and point as if you're playing to the back row of a large theater.

Dogs Copy Us, for Good and Bad

Your pointing can be productive. Coren said multiple studies show that dogs can solve problems by copying your, or a dog's, behavior. For example, dogs can:

- Learn the location of valued items, such as treats.

- Figure out the fastest routes, such as the quickest way to get to a favorite chair.

- Operate mechanisms, like door latches and simple machines.

- Learn the meaning of words and symbolic concepts, sometimes just by eavesdropping.

Dogs can also deliberately deceive other dogs and people, usually to get a food reward. "And they are nearly as successful in deceiving humans as humans are in deceiving dogs," warns Coren.

Why Two and Not Three or Older?

If dogs are so capable and intelligent, why are they likened to a human 2-year-old and not a 3-year-old or even an adult? The answer appears to be, coincidentally, twofold.

First, Lakatos explains that for her study, older children may have a more complex ability to realize the intention behind the pointing gesture. This gets into being able to imagine the mindset of others, which sometimes allows for predicting behaviors and developing a deeper understanding of that individual's actions and more.

Second, it is likely that interactions during language facilitate understanding. Lack of linguistic ability, therefore, is an IQ-limiting factor in dogs. We humans have a unique propensity for language that, coinciding with brain development, really begins to blossom when we're around 3 years old; dogs go through no such stage.

Humans and Dogs: A Poor Comparison

Even though it can be interesting to see how dogs rate on human-centric tests, Lakatos believes it's a conceptual mistake to judge dogs based on criteria developed for people. "Any behavioral similarity or similar performance between dogs and children should be investigated separately," she says. "To give you an example for a reverse case, nobody has tried to herd a flock of sheep with 2-year-olds."

Steve Dale and the Puppy Pros

Steve Dale -- pet expert and certified dog behavior consultant -- and the Puppy Pros share their expertise in the following dog training vidoes ... Why brushing your dog daily is important for you and your pup ... This one command will help save your dog's life ... and more ...

Westminster Dog Show Expert Shares Training Secrets
Darcy Lockman for The Dog Daily

While non-show dogs don�t need to be as comfortable with the human touch as Westminster wannabes, they can nonetheless learn something from Westminster training and grooming standards. In this article, professional dog handler Clint Livingston of Denver shares his tips for helping your puppy dog achieve best in its own show

Signs of Illness in Your Dog
Darcy Lockman for The Dog Daily

When your dog is ill, the sooner you intervene, the better. While lethargy and changes in appetite and elimination patterns are easily detectable, other signs of illness may slip under the radar for months on end. Dr. Trisha Joyce, a veterinarian at NYC Veterinary Specialists, offers advice on what you should watch out for to ensure your pet stays healthy.

Canine Heart Disease - A Silent Killer
Susan McCullough for The Dog Daily

More dogs than people suffer from heart disease. According to Novartis Animal Health, 25 percent of dogs over the age of seven have the most extreme form of heart disease -- heart failure. By contrast, the National Institutes of Health estimates that only 6.4 percent of men and 2.5 percent of women between the ages of 65 and 74 suffered from the same condition

Exercise With Your Dog to Prevent Obesity
Jennifer Viegas for The Dog Daily

According to the National Pet Obesity Awareness Day Study conducted by 95 veterinary clinics nationwide, more than 44 percent of all dogs are overweight or downright obese. The fat stats for people in America are even higher, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that around 67 percent of adults are heavier than they should be

Health Clues in Your Dog's Behavior
Susan McCullough for The Dog Daily

Here are some common apparent canine behavioral problems and their possible medical causes

Is Your 'Natural' Dog Food Truly Natural
Elizabeth Wasserman for The Dog Daily

You are probably concerned about putting 'natural,' or minimally processed, foods on your dinner table, and that standard now extends to what's in Fido's bowl. That's why you look for recognizable ingredients, such as chicken and carrots, when choosing commercial food for your dog. However, there's still some confusion about what constitutes a 'natural' dog food.

Vitamins and Minerals Your Dog Needs
Kim Boatman for The Dog Daily

Is improving your health on your list of new year's resolutions? This year, don't forget to include your dog on that list as well. But first, find out which vitamins and minerals your canine needs and where to find them.

Selecting the Best Kibble for Your Dog
Karen Asp for The Dog Daily

Selecting the right kibble for your dog can be an overwhelming task. After all, there are dozens of choices on the market these days. To help simplify your decision, ask yourself these seven questions

Canine Conduct - Sniffing and Whiffing
Amanda Harrison for The Dog Daily

Is your dog like a shopaholic at a rummage sale, smelling anything and everything that comes its way? You are not alone. As every dog knows, the best way to get the scoop on anything is through its nose.

Veterinary Research on Compulsive Behavior Could Benefit Dogs and People
Steve Dale

It turns out that your dog's brain isn't all that different from your own. Dr. Nicholas Dodman, director of the behavior clinic at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA, has been studying compulsive behaviors in dogs, horses and cats for decades. And for years he's been encouraging using these animal models to help understand what's going on with people

Animal Books for Your Pet-Loving Friends and Relatives
Steve Dale

Searching for last-minute gifts? How about books for your pet-loving friends and relatives, or maybe as presents to yourself? Here are some suggestions:

Scoop the Poop! Your Neighbors Will Thank You
Steve Dale

Already it's happening -- it snows and people don't pick up after their dogs. Doesn't that stuff carry disease?

For more Pet Stories and Articles, Click Here to Visit our Pets Section

About the Author

Jennifer Viegas is the managing editor of The Dog Daily. She has written more than 20 books on animal, health and science-related topics.