It’s no big deal to think your dog is smart — we all know dogs can do things like manipulate yogurt cups and smell cancer — but it takes a special kind of person to look at his dog and think, wait, Is my dog a genius?
We’re exactly those kinds of people.
Of course, you’ll never know if your dog is actually a genius until you take the necessary steps to find out, and that means testing. Fortunately, there’s now a TV show for that (and a really cool site). First, the show: In Is My Dog a Genius? (which premieres Friday, May 15, during Nat Geo WILD’s BarkFest), Duke University dog scientist Dr. Brian Hare of Dognition uses his groundbreaking research to help dog owners better understand their canine companions though simple exercises.
Want to test it out? Here’s how to use nothing more than two pieces of food and hunger to find out if your dog listens to you or ignores you:
Is My Dog a Genius? premieres as part of Nat Geo WILD’s inaugural BarkFest, which features a full slate of dog TV this weekend, including World’s Greatest Dogs, featuring a surfing therapy dog, a bionic dog, and a dog with the world record in scootering; and Unlikely Animal Friends: Barktacular! featuring canine pals like cheetahs, rats, and goats; along with shows like My Dog Ate What?, The Incredible Dr. Pol: Deja Moo!, Cesar 911, and many more.
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