Is My Dog Dumb? 2025 Vet-Approved 10-Min Cognition Test
Most dogs are not “dumb”, they may be distracted, untrained, or have hearing or vision changes you may not have noticed. Sometimes, they’re just thinking about squirrels. This article provides clear answers. Use this 10-minute, vet- and trainer-approved cognition test to understand your dog’s cognitive state. It uses peer-reviewed tools like the validated CADES dementia scale and the Sustained Gaze Test, which both have high reliability. The test includes simple problem-solving checks you can do at home. Take the test, see what your dog understands, and find step-by-step fixes for low scores.
| Test | What It Measures | Scoring (0 Points) | Scoring (2 Points) | Scoring (4 Points) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Sustained Gaze | Attention / Cognitive Decline | 20–60s | 6–19s | 0–5s |
| 2. Towel Escape | Problem Solving | Under 15s | 16–45s | Over 45s |
| 3. Working Memory | Short-Term Recall (60s) | Correct on 1st try | Correct on 2nd try | Incorrect |
| 4. Insight | Problem-Solving Strategy | Varied strategies | Repeats one strategy | Gives up |
| 5. Spatial Memory | Short-Term Recall (15s) | Under 15s | 16–45s | Over 45s or fails |
| 6. Learnability | New Skill Acquisition | 3 successes (no lure) | 1-2 successes (lure OK) | No clear progress |
| 7. Hearing Screen | Auditory Perception | Responds to both sounds | Inconsistent response | No response |
| 8. Vision Screen | Visual Tracking/Movement | Tracks & moves around well | Delayed or hesitant | Fails to track or bumps |
Start the 10-Min Dog Cognition Test (No prep needed)
Have 10–15 small, high-value treats and a light towel ready. Use a timer on your phone.
- Time Sustained Eye Contact (Sustained Gaze Test)
Sit at your dog’s level and say their name once. When they meet your eyes, hold a soft gaze. Start the timer immediately and stop it when they look away or at 60 seconds.- Score: 0 points = 20–60s; 2 points = 6–19s; 4 points = 0–5s.
- Tip: If your dog finds direct eye contact stressful, skip this and mark N/A. Shorter gaze time is linked to higher cognitive decline ^(1).
- Check Problem Solving: Towel Escape
Gently place a light towel over your dog’s head and shoulders. Start the timer as it covers them. Stop it as soon as their head and shoulders are free.- Score: 0 points = Under 15s; 2 points = 16–45s; 4 points = Over 45s.
- Safety: Stop immediately if your dog panics.
- Test Working Memory: 2 Cups, 60-Second Delay
With your dog watching, place a treat under one of two identical cups. Wait 60 seconds. Release your dog and let them choose.- Score: 0 points = Picks the correct cup on the first try; 2 points = Inspects both, but gets it right on the second try; 4 points = Picks the wrong cup and doesn’t self-correct.
- Test Insight: Inaccessible Treat
Place a treat under a low piece of furniture your dog can’t move, just out of reach. Observe for 60 seconds.- Score: 0 points = Uses varied strategies (pawing, nosing, changing position) and keeps trying; 2 points = Repeats one action that is not working; 4 points = Gives up within 15 seconds or freezes.
- Test Spatial Memory: Simple Hide-and-Seek
While your dog watches, place a treat behind a nearby chair or other small barrier. Wait 15 seconds. Release your dog and time how long it takes them to find it.- Score: 0 points = Under 15s; 2 points = 16–45s; 4 points = Over 45s or fails to find it.
- Test Learnability: Teach “Touch” in 2 Minutes
Hold your open palm 2–3 inches from your dog’s nose. The moment their nose touches your palm, mark the behavior with a “Yes!” and give them a treat. Repeat, trying to fade any lure by the end of the two minutes.- Score: 0 points = Performs 3 successful nose-to-palm touches without a lure; 2 points = Gets 1-2 touches or still needs a lure; 4 points = Makes no clear progress.
- Quick Hearing Screen (30 seconds)
Stand 3–4 feet behind your dog. Quietly jingle keys or crinkle a bag. Note if they turn their head. Then, try a higher-pitched sound like a soft whistle. Test both sides.- Score: 0 points = Turns toward both sounds from both sides; 2 points = Inconsistent responses; 4 points = No response, especially to the high-pitched sound.
- Note: A formal BAER hearing test for dogs is the standard for a definitive diagnosis. This non-painful, 15-minute test uses small electrodes and sounds played through earphones to measure the brain’s response to sound. It can be done while the dog is awake or lightly sedated.
- Quick Vision Screen (30 seconds)
In good light, drop a small cotton ball about a foot in front of your dog’s eyes. Watch if they track its movement smoothly. Then guide them through a simple path with rearranged furniture and watch for any bumping.- Score: 0 points = Tracks the cotton ball and moves through the path easily; 2 points = Delayed tracking or hesitates on the path; 4 points = Doesn’t track the cotton ball or bumps into objects.
- Note: For more tips, you can explore various at-home dog vision tests.
Score Your Dog Now (Printable Scorecard + Instant Results)
| 10-Min Cognition Scorecard | Score (0, 2, or 4) |
|---|---|
| 1. Sustained Gaze | |
| 2. Towel Escape | |
| 3. Working Memory (Cups) | |
| 4. Insight (Inaccessible Treat) | |
| 5. Spatial Memory (Hide-and-Seek) | |
| 6. Learnability (Touch) | |
| 7. Hearing Screen | |
| 8. Vision Screen | |
| TOTAL SCORE (out of 32) |
- Download Printable Scorecard PDF
- Copy Google Sheet Version
Total Score Meanings:
| Total Score | Meaning & Next Steps |
|---|---|
| 0–7 | Bright & Typical. Your dog is sharp. Keep their mind active. Check our Home page for ideas. |
| 8–15 | Watchlist. Nothing alarming, but re-test in 1–3 months. Use the training fixes below to sharpen their skills. |
| 16–23 | Mild Concern. Start enrichment now. Complete the CADES screen below. If these changes persist for 2–4 weeks, book a vet check. |
| 24–32 | Likely Sensory/Cognitive Issue. This signals a probable decline. Complete the CADES screen and schedule a vet visit to rule out medical problems. |
Add CADES Mini-Screen to Flag Senior Dementia Risk
The Canine Dementia Scale (CADES) is a questionnaire vets use to diagnose and stage canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD), which resembles Alzheimer’s in dogs ^(2). CCD can appear in 28% of dogs aged 11–12 and 68% of dogs aged 15–16.
For each behavior, score how often it happens using the scale below.
| Score | Frequency |
|---|---|
| 0 | Never |
| 1 | 1-2 times per month |
| 2 | 1 time per week |
| 3 | 2-3 times per week |
| 4 | 4-6 times per week |
| 5 | Daily or more |
- Disorientation: Gets lost in familiar places or stuck in corners.
- Social Changes: Less interested in petting, greetings, or playing with you.
- Sleep-Wake Changes: Restless at night, but sleeps more during the day.
- House Soiling: Has accidents in the house in familiar areas.
- Aimless Wandering: Paces or wanders without purpose.
- New Anxiety: Shows new fear, irritability, or separation anxiety.
- Recognition Failure: Fails to recognize familiar people or other pets.
Add up your total score. You can find the complete validated CADES questionnaire for a full assessment.
- CADES Official Scoring: 0–7 (Normal), 8–23 (Mild CCD), 24–44 (Moderate CCD), 45+ (Severe CCD).
- Vet Rule: If your 10-min test score is ≥16 OR your CADES score is ≥8, schedule a vet visit within the next 2–4 weeks. For complex behavioral issues, your vet may recommend a specialist, such as a board-certified veterinary behaviorist found through the DACVB ^(3).
Behavior Decoder: What Low Scores Really Mean
So, what do these scores actually mean? Think of them as clues.
| What a Low Score Flags… | It’s a Clue About… |
|---|---|
| Low gaze + struggle with new cues. | Attention or working memory. |
| Poor towel escape + gives up on treat. | Problem-solving skills or frustration tolerance. |
| Wrong cup choice + slow hide-and-seek. | Spatial and working memory. |
| Fails hearing screen. | Possible hearing loss; not just “ignoring” you. |
| Fails vision screen. | Possible vision loss; not just clumsiness. |
Caution: A bad day can affect scores. Pain from arthritis, anxiety, or disinterest in the treats can lead to poor performance. Many behaviors owners perceive as a lack of intelligence are often common dog behavior issues that can be addressed with training or management. Re-test on a calm day with better rewards before making conclusions.
Step-by-Step Training Fixes Based on Results
If your dog scored in the 8-15, 16-23, or 24-32 ranges, use these specific exercises to address the skills they struggled with. For one-on-one help, you can find a certified professional in your area using the CCPDT’s resources ^(4).
- Boost Attention and Engagement
- Use 30–60 second micro-training sessions 3–5 times a day.
- Reinforce eye contact by marking and rewarding any glance at your face. Build up to 3–5 seconds.
- Use “Touch” (hand-targeting) to help them focus. Learn more with our Positive reinforcement basics.
- Sharpen Working Memory
- Play the “2 cups” game daily. Start with a 5-second delay and slowly add 5 seconds every few sessions.
- Keep it easy enough for them to win most of the time. End the game while they’re still eager to play.
- Grow Problem-Solving Confidence
- Start with easy puzzles like a snuffle mat before moving to more difficult interactive dog puzzle toys like the DogBrick (Level 2) or DogTwister (Level 3).
- Create a “success ladder”: do three easy puzzles, then one medium one, and end with an easy win.
- Praise effort, not just success. Don’t let your dog get frustrated.
- Improve Impulse Control
- Teach a 3-second “wait” at doorways and for food bowls. Use a clear release cue like “Okay!”
- Practice “leave it” with boring items first, then gradually increase the temptation over a week.
- Support Senior and Sensitive Dogs
- Keep furniture in the same place and use nightlights in hallways.
- Use scent markers (a tiny bit of vanilla extract) on key spots like doorways or steps.
- Switch to hand signals and touch cues if their hearing is fading.
Red Flags: When to See the Vet Now
Go to the vet within 24–72 hours if you see:
- Sudden disorientation, getting stuck, or failure to recognize you.
- Sudden head tilt, loss of balance, circling, or rapid, darting eye movements.
- Sudden hearing or vision loss, especially if one-sided, or signs of eye pain (redness, squinting).
- Any combination of symptoms from the CADES screen that appeared quickly and are getting worse.
Decision Tree:
| Condition(s) | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Quick-Test Score ≥24 OR fails any sensory screen | Book a vet visit. |
| Quick-Test Score 16–23 AND CADES Score ≥8 | Book a vet visit and start enrichment. |
| Quick-Test Score ≤15 AND CADES Score ≤7 | Monitor every 3 months and provide daily enrichment. |
According to the AVMA and AAHA, senior dogs (age 7+) should have vet checkups twice a year ^(5). For more information, see the AVMA senior dog care page and AAHA guidelines on cognitive dysfunction. Research on diets like Purina Bright Mind shows nutrition can also be important.
Breed and Age Norms: Set Fair Expectations
Cognition changes with age, but each dog is different.
| Age Group | Typical Cognitive Patterns |
|---|---|
| Puppies (<9 months) | Lower sustained gaze and slower to learn new cues. High curiosity and play drive dominate. |
| Adults (1–7 years) | Peak performance in problem-solving and learning speed. This is their prime. |
| Seniors (8+ years) | Slower on memory tasks and attention can vary. Individual differences are significant. |
- Size Notes: Large breeds may show signs of decline 2-3 years earlier, but it often progresses more slowly. Small breeds have a higher risk for severe dementia in very old age.
- The Golden Rule: Compare your dog to their own past performance, not a list of “smartest breeds.” Progress is what matters.
Set Up Your Test Space and Rewards (For the Re-Test)
- Pick a quiet, familiar room. Turn off the TV and reduce distractions.
- Use pea-sized, high-value treats your dog loves, like cheese or chicken. This is not the time for boring kibble.
- Test when your dog is alert, not tired after a walk or groggy from a nap.
- Keep each task under 90 seconds to avoid burnout.
- Log your scores immediately in your scorecard or sheet.
Save Your Results and Plan Re-Tests
- Save your scores to track trends: monthly for seniors, quarterly for adults.
- Note other factors that can affect scores: pain, medication changes, sleep quality, and major life events.
- Look for steady or improving trends. A drop that lasts for more than a month should be investigated.
- Use a Training journal template to keep everything in one place.
FAQs
1. Does a low score mean my dog is dumb?
No. It flags a performance gap. It could be a training issue, low motivation, a sensory problem (hearing/vision loss), or a medical condition. It is a starting point, not a final judgment.
2. Are some dog breeds just less smart?
Breeds have different working styles. Some are bred for independent work, like hounds, while others are bred for cooperation, like retrievers. A ‘stubborn’ dog might be a good problem-solver who does not see the point in your test. Compare your dog to themself over time.
3. What are 5 abnormal dog behaviors?
Key red flags are: 1) getting lost or stuck in familiar places, 2) new, unexplained house soiling, 3) a reversed sleep-wake cycle, 4) no longer recognizing family members, and 5) new, unprovoked anxiety or irritability.
4. How do I test if my dog is smart?
Test for functional skills instead of “smartness.” Use this article’s 10-minute test to check problem-solving (towel test), memory (cup game), and learnability (“touch” cue). This provides a practical baseline you can use.
References
^(1) https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-99837-x
^(2) https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2021.819135/full
^(3) https://www.dacvb.org
^(4) https://www.ccpdt.org/resources/
^(5) https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/senior-pet-care
