Day 56 - The Boy's a Genius.

While walking Minty Mutt this morning, Clever Bird decided to keep Baggy's brain occupied. She tried to work out how many words Mint understands. She lost count. And track.

Mint
Okay
Wait
No
Good boy
Clever lad
Heel
Don't pull
Slowly
Gently
Sit
Down
Stay
Lie
Settle
Back
Over
Move
Out
In
Off
Now
On
Bed
Chewie
Ball
Find
Cheese
Sausage
Starfish
Collar
Wee-wee
Doo-doo
Go
Quiet (although this is generally ignored, unless Calum says it)
Shut up (likewise)
Come
Here
Quick
Shake
Mind
Stop
Enough
Dad
Fetch
Bring
Drop
Leave
Drink
Food
Paw
This way
That way
Go straight
Round
Over
Through
Up
Jump

And sign language for a lot of those commands. Not just the obvious ones like sit, stay etc. either. Ones like, off, down, enough. Contrary to some "experts", he also understands when Furry Mama points at something, or in a direction.

He also understands full sentences. No really he does.

What's this?
Who is it?
Go on your bed.
Get out of the way.
I'm just going to do the Boys now (cue hop on his bed and wait for a chewie)
Would you like a cup of tea?
Make your mind up.
Would you like a tummy tickle?
What are you doing?
Really? I don't think so!
I won't be very long.
Do you want to come with us?
Anytime now would be good.
Your decision.
That (noise) was me.

He'll even make a decision when given choices.

"Do you want to go on your bed or go out? I don't care which, but please get out of my way".
"Either lie down here, or go into the other room, Minty, or you're going to get trodden on".
"Do you want to go out or would you rather stay here and have a chewie?"

And more that Clever Bird will remember as soon as she posts this blog. Furry Mama is very proud of the lad. He is not a mutt at all. By definition he isn't, as he's a Pedigree German Shepherd. But neither is he as far as brains go. He is a seriously clever dog. A lot of what he understands, Furry Mama did not teach him. He's picked it up because she speaks to him all the time and clearly repeats herself a lot. Yes bloggees, Furry Mama is very proud of her mutt.

The Domestic Goddess just wishes that he had a self cleaning device in his fur. Especially when it's as muddy as it is at the moment. But she wouldn't change him for the world............