Dumb dogs
Focus Questions
1.
2.
Choose five key words from the BtN story.
Researchers have found that over the years, the intelligence of dogs has
a. Increased
b. Decreased
c. Stayed the same
3. Why were wolves and dingoes used in the dog intelligence research?
4. How successful were domestic dogs at problem solving?
5. How did the dingo perform in the tests?
6. What did the researchers found out about the social intelligence of dogs and
wolves?
7. What has happened to the size of dogs’ brains over time?
8. Why do scientists think this has happened?
9. Do you think all dogs can be trained to solve problems? Explain your answer.
10. What was surprising about this story?
Dog IQ
Ask students to think about and record the relationship between dogs and
humans.
Explain what an interdependent relationship is. Humans give dog’s food and
shelter and dogs give humans companionship, affection and work. How does this
relationship compare to those between humans and horses, cats, fish or birds?
What makes the relationship between humans and dogs unique?
Students can then choose one or more of the following activities:
Investigate working dogs and the jobs they do. The following website has a slideshow
with images of working dogs http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/dogs/working.html .
What are the different breeds that are typically used as working dogs? What makes
them suited for the type of work they do? Choose one type of working dog to focus on
and write a narrative about the day in the life of a working dog.
Why is basic obedience training important? What are some commands that all dogs
should be taught? Create an advertisement that encourages all puppy owners to teach
their dog important commands.
Write a persuasive argument responding to the statement: `Dogs are better pets than
cats’. The following website has information about how to structure an exposition
(persuasive argument) and an option to write it online
http://www.writingfun.com/writingfun2010.html
© ABC 2011
EPISODE 6
15TH MARCH 2011
Learning Area
Society and Environment
Key learning
Students will develop an
understanding about
domestic and wild dogs
including working dogs and
the jobs they do.
How do you know if owning a dog is for you? Brainstorm the responsibilities of owning
a dog. Does it fit in with your lifestyle? Consider factors such as who will look after it
when you go on holidays and the time required to exercise it. Interview dog owners
about why they chose to get a dog, what they like and don’t like about it.
Creature Feature. Choose a breed of dog (including wolves or dingoes) and create a
profile. Include information about physical and behavioural characteristics.
 Related Research Links
ABC Catalyst – Dog brain
http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/3154393.htm
ABC Behind the News – Wolves
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3045575.htm
ABC The World Today - Dingoes deemed top dogs, domestics dissed as dunces
http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2010/s2928438.htm
ABC The Animal Attraction – Dog IQ test
http://www.abc.net.au/animals/dog_test/default.htm
Library Thinkquest – Wolf intelligence
http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0212280/intelligence.htm
© ABC 2011