Is Your Dog a Genius? Vets reveal five tests to gauge canine intelligence

Scientists and veterinarians say five established tests can help determine whether a dog is exceptionally smart, but they caution that viral challenges circulating online do not reliably measure canine intelligence. Across labs and clinics, experts say the tests assess problem solving, memory, social understanding, and impulse control, revealing strengths that vary by breed and by individual dog. The tests are part of a broader effort to standardize how researchers study canine cognition and to help owners understand their pets beyond viral memes.

One widely shared exercise is the towel test, in which a towel or blanket is placed over a dog's head to observe how quickly it works the fabric away. While proponents say the exercise taps problem solving, some veterinarians warn it can be stressful or frightening for shy dogs. Dr Zazie Todd, a pet psychology expert, notes that a dog facing a new challenge is being tested for its problem solving, but she adds that the towel method is not ideal for every dog. For a safer at home alternative that still probes planning, many owners use a muffin pan with treats in some holes and a tennis ball placed on top, inviting the dog to discover a way to retrieve the snack. The towel challenge has gone viral on social platforms, but researchers caution that a single stunt does not prove a dog is highly intelligent.

Another core test focuses on the ability to learn and recall. In the hidden treat test, owners hide a treat in a location and then let the dog search. If the treats are moved or repeated, dogs typically show how quickly they adapt and remember, with some dogs going straight to the correct spot after a few trials. Dr Todd says this task helps gauge memory and flexible problem solving, especially when treats are hidden in the same place across rounds so the dog learns its location. A simple at home setup involves hiding the treat in the same spot each time to see how quickly the dog redirects its search behavior.

The cup test described as a variation of the classic shell game asks a dog to identify a treat hidden under one of two cups, with the cups swapped to test the dog’s ability to follow cues. Dr Juliane Kaminski, director of the Dog Cognition Centre at the University of Portsmouth, explains that a dog can demonstrate social cognition by using human signals such as pointing or gaze to pick the correct cup. When the cups are moved around, the test becomes more challenging and taps the dog’s understanding of the physical world as well as its capacity for tracking changing locations. Some dogs struggle with this task because they may not fully grasp object permanence, the idea that objects exist even when not visible, a finding that researchers say highlights a distinction between perception and enduring knowledge.

The trust test, which has circulated widely on social media in the form of the wall test, involves guiding a dog toward a barrier to see whether it stops itself from colliding. Experts caution that this test is harsh and does not align with conventional cognitive assessments, warning that it may not reveal meaningful aspects of intelligence. Dr Kaminski notes that the test does not illuminate a coherent cognitive function and can be misinterpreted as a measure of willpower. For those seeking a more informative approach, researchers suggest presenting an unsolvable task and observing how long the dog looks to a human for help. Dr Katriina Tiira, a dog psychologist at the University of Helsinki, emphasizes that a dog’s willingness to seek human guidance in unsolvable situations is a strong predictor of trainability rather than a measure of solving difficult problems alone.

The barrier challenge, part of the standardized SmartDog Battery developed by Dr Tiira and colleagues, provides another window into canine cognition. The V-detour test assesses spatial reasoning by requiring a dog to navigate around a barrier to reach visible treats. In addition, the test suite evaluates inhibitory control, the ability to suppress impulses when faced with a tempting outcome. Dr Tiira notes that faster solvers in this test can be more impulsive at home, underscoring a disconnect between laboratory measures and everyday behavior. This finding echoes broader observations in canine cognition that rapid problem solving does not always translate to flawless impulse management in daily life.

Beyond tests, scientists point to the long arc of dog domestication. A genetic analysis of ancient remains suggests dogs were domesticated in a single event by humans in Eurasia roughly 20,000 to 40,000 years ago. Dr Krishna Veeramah, an assistant professor of evolution at Stony Brook University, explains that the domestication process likely occurred gradually as a population of wolves living near prehistoric camps favored tameness and cooperation with humans. While this history helps explain dogs’ propensity to read human cues, researchers stress that cognition is highly individualized and context dependent, with performance on one task not determining overall intelligence.

Experts caution that while intelligence tests can illuminate certain cognitive traits, they should be interpreted with care. Viral clips and one off challenges should not be used to label a dog as genius or dull. Instead, owners are encouraged to observe how their pets respond to cues, how they solve problems, and how they seek help when confronted with a task they cannot immediately solve. The five tests described by researchers are meant to complement everyday observation rather than replace professional assessment or breed-specific tendencies. The science of canine cognition continues to evolve as researchers refine standardized tasks and share robust findings with dog owners around the world.