Understanding Human Words – A genius dog may recognize and respond to a variety of human commands and words, even without the use of treats.
Quick Learners – Dogs that pick up new tricks or commands quickly, within just a few repetitions, often exhibit higher cognitive abilities.
Social Intelligence – A dog with strong social skills—like understanding human emotions or knowing when to seek attention—shows emotional intelligence.
Memory – A "genius" dog may be able to remember certain routines, commands, or even faces and locations, demonstrating advanced memory skills.
Communication Skills – If your dog can use different methods to communicate (barking, body language, or fetching an object), they likely have an advanced understanding of how to interact with you.
Curiosity and Attention to Detail – Intelligent dogs tend to be very curious, showing interest in new things and paying attention to their environment, which suggests a higher level of cognition.