Dogs in Society: The Versatile and Intelligent Companions for Work and Play"

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Dogs serve vital roles in society beyond companionship, including assistance for the disabled, search and rescue operations, and law enforcement tasks like drug detection. The discussion raises questions about canine intelligence, particularly in relation to their problem-solving abilities. While some dogs may struggle with specific tests designed to measure intelligence, this does not necessarily diminish their overall cognitive capabilities, especially when compared to other animals. The conversation also explores the distinction between learning and insight, suggesting that in some contexts, learned behavior may be more advantageous than instinctual responses. Ultimately, the value of a dog's intelligence may be better assessed through their practical applications in various working roles rather than through standardized testing.
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Dogs in society are not only used as companion animals, but as working animals...helping the blind/disabled, searching for injured/dead, drug sniffing, etc. I've always thought dogs were very intelligent, but after reading the following article it makes me wonder.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&call_pageid=971358637177&c=Article&cid=1106349010470
 
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Another's Eyes said:
I've always thought dogs were very intelligent,

Intelligent compared to what?
Does failing that test make them any less intelligent? (perhaps compared to a human, but how about compared to the rest of the animal kingdom?)
How often does finding food-on-a-string-in-a-box come up in their evolutionary history?

(from the link)
Many of the dogs eventually figured out what to do, but that ultimate success was more a matter of learning, not insight. But in the end, does it matter?

In some cases, could "learning" be more intelligent than "insight"? (e.g., if insight=instinct)
 
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