Tossing a ball to a dog so he can grasp it. Tossing a ball to a dog so he will f

Tossing a ball to a dog so he can grasp it.

Tossing a ball to a dog so he will fetch (return) it for more play (human behavior), rather than chase him to obtain it (dog behavior) as play.

Bouncing a ball off a wall so the dog can catch it on the bounce, and then return it.

Tossing a ball on a slanted roof so the dog can catch it as it rolls off, and then return it.

Tossing a ball over the house so the dog must run around the house to find, and fetch it – especially if he can’t hear it bounce – and then return it.

It’s been surprisingly difficult to train a dog to do the last one. Although I suspect that’s because our house was quite complicated – requiring the dog leave the front yard, enter the courtyard, turn left, cross the courtyard, exit the courtyard, turn right, run down the side of the house, enter the back yard from a corner, and then find it.

I had to do it in steps. Further back every time.

The Golden much smarter than the Pointer – who would just sit there confused.

Retaining state, and recursive processing is extremely difficult. Man cannot imagine not doing it. Dog needs training to do it. A crow can do it given the opportunity. An octopus can do it.

But it’s pretty hard.