Are puppies smart enough to do this?

[plaster8]

We just got a golden retriever puppy, which we are housetraining. She gets a treat when she goes to the bathroom outside, which she has gotten pretty good at doing.

However, a couple of times tonight I could swear she just squatted for a few seconds, didn't pee, then came over to collect her reward. It was dark, I couldn't see that well, and I can't tell if she actually peed or not.

So are puppies smart enough to pull someting like that? Or am I just losing my mind in the midst of all the whining/barking/pooping/peeing? (Having a puppy has made me wonder if my wife and I will ever have a kid -- this is a LOT of work.)

[siccjay]

I would say yes, they could do that.

[LBJ]

I'm positive that they are smart enough to do that. I have a dog and when it takes something it shouldn't take, we give it a treat to drop the object. I know he steals and grabs wrappers, trash, etc. just to collect the treat.

[zephed]

Yes.

[tdarko]

yes.

i have a border collie and i am certain it is smarter than most people on this forum.

[mantasm]

They're definitely smart enough to do this. It won't take long before she figures out she only gets a treat when she squats and goes to the bathroom on the grass and nowhere else.

[theBruiser500]

that is awesome and part of why dogs (golden retrievews in particular) are better than cats

[invictus33]

Ever hear of Pavlov?

[Jeff W]

[ QUOTE ]
I have a dog and when it takes something it shouldn't take, we give it a treat to drop the object.

[/ QUOTE ]

Your training method is retarded. You are rewarding the dog for misbehavior.

That is some seriously messed up stuff. Awesome, though. Got a good laugh out of it.