Golden Retriever’s Blinking Communication Skill Captures Hearts
A golden retriever named Wally has captured the hearts and minds of internet users worldwide with his extraordinary ability to understand and respond to humans in a seemingly human-like way.
In a recent Instagram video, Wally demonstrated his unique talent by blinking to communicate his desire for a Chicken.
The video shared on Instagram on September 25 under the username @wally.meets.world shows Wally standing near a bag of chicken on his owner’s kitchen cabinet. As the owner asked the dog if he wanted some chicken, Wally stared at his owner with a look that suggested he understood the question. Then the owner prompted the dog to blink if he wanted the chicken, and to everyone’s astonishment, the dog immediately complied, blinking his eyes in a clear affirmative.
“Is there something that you want? Chicken? You want some chicken? the dog owner could be heard asking from behind the camera, “Blink if you want some chicken.”
The dog owner expressed her amazement at the dog’s action in the caption writing: “You can’t convince me there isn’t a human trapped in there somewhere. Wally uses blinking to communicate with us at the time, it usually means yes.”
The footage has quickly gone viral, receiving over 4 million views and thousands of comments. Many viewers were astonished at the dog’s intelligence and the apparent depth of his understanding. Many also shared their similar experience with their dogs.
“Literally me and my mini poodle. Instead he sits for yes and licks his lips for yes,” one user shared. ” Wow, my Golden Blinks or give the silent “woof” to respond yes. thought he was the only one that communicate with his eyes lol,” another added.
Wally’s case however has thrown a light on the remarkable intelligence of golden retrievers and their exceptional capacity to learn and communicate through trained actions.
Stanley Coren, a neuropsychological researcher and writer on the intelligence, mental abilities, and history of dogs, placed Golden Retrievers fourth on his ranking of dog breeds based on working/obedience intelligence.
Golden Retrievers possess a remarkable ability to understand and respond to human cues. Their intelligence allows them to excel in various roles, from family companions to working dogs.
Golden Retrievers are highly trainable due to their eagerness to please. They are quick learners and can grasp complex commands with consistent training. Their natural intelligence enables them to connect verbal cues with specific actions, making them adept at tasks such as retrieving, guiding, and even performing therapeutic work.
One of the most striking examples of a Golden Retriever’s intelligence is their ability to understand body language. They can often pick up on subtle cues, such as a pointing finger or a nod, and respond accordingly.
Wally’s blinking behavior is a fascinating example of how Golden retrievers can learn to associate specific actions with desired outcomes. Through consistent training and repetition, Wally’s owner has conditioned him to understand the connection between blinking and receiving a treat. This doesn’t necessarily mean Wally grasps the abstract concept of “yes” or “chicken.” It’s more likely that he recognizes blinking as a reliable way to get a reward. This intuitive understanding allows them to work seamlessly with their human partners in various activities.
In addition to their intelligence, Golden Retrievers possess a strong sense of empathy. They are often described as “people-pleasers” because they are sensitive to human emotions and strive to make their owners happy. This empathy, combined with their intelligence, makes them excellent therapy dogs. They can provide comfort and companionship to people in need, helping to reduce stress and anxiety.
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