Talk of the Town: How smart is that doggie in the window?

Ever wonder why some dogs are so smart that they can herd sheep, rescue people from avalanches, or sniff out drugs for the Border Patrol, yet some can’t even seem to grasp “sit” and “stay”?

While there are many ways to define intelligence, a dog’s problem-solving abilities are perhaps one of the best ways to determine how mentally adept they really are.

Perhaps your dog may not know how to fetch, but does he automatically know that it’s time to take a walk whenever you pick up the leash?

According to a report by MSNBC and Warren Eckstein, the “Today” show pet expert, that shows a kind of intelligence, too.

As with the intelligence tests developed for humans, the IQ tests for dogs have limitations. Just like in humans, there are different kinds of intelligence.

For dogs, there are two basic kinds: instinctive and adoptive intelligence.

Instinctive intelligence comes with the breed and the type of dog, so certain dogs and dog breeds have inherent differences in natural ability. For example, some dogs, such as Greyhounds and Russian wolfhounds, are sight hounds and will fare better at sight-oriented tests.

Other breeds, such as bloodhounds and beagles, use their noses to solve problems, and will therefore probably be better at scent-oriented problem- solving tests.

But there is also a learning ability, and this can include environmental learning, social learning, language comprehension, and task learning.

Below are some tests that you can do with your dog, as well as a scoring system to keep track of intelligence. The experts suggest that you shouldn’t necessarily try to do these tests all in one day. Your dog may become overwhelmed and not understand why you’re sending them through all these strange and bizarre actions.

Make these tests fun for your dog. Treat them like games! And always (no matter how high or low they score) give them lots of love and positive attention afterward.

Towel test:

Take a large towel or blanket and gently place it over your dog’s head.

If he frees himself from the towel in less than 15 seconds, give him 3 points. If it takes 15-30 seconds, 2 points. Longer than 30 seconds earns 1 point.

Bucket test:

Place a dog treat or a favorite toy under one of three buckets placed next to each other. Let the dog know which bucket the treat is under, than turn the dog away for a few seconds. Then, let her find the treat. If she immediately goes to the correct bucket give her 3 points. If she takes two attempts, score 2 points. If your dog looks under the other two buckets first, score 1 point.

Favorite spot:

With your dog out of the room, rearrange the furniture. When he re-enters the room, if he goes directly to his favorite spot give him 3 points. If it takes him 30 seconds to investigate before he finds his spot, give him 2 points. If he decides on a new area completely, score 1 point.

Chair puzzle:

Place a treat under a table or chair low enough so your dog can only fit her paw and cannot fit her head. If your dog figures how to reach the treat within one minute, score 3 points. If she uses her paws and nose, score 2 points. If your dog gives up, score 1 point.

Go for a walk!

On a day or time you normally don’t walk your dog, quietly pick up your keys, and his leash while he’s watching you. If he gets excited immediately, score 3 points. If you have to walk to the door before he knows it’s time to go out, score 2 points. If he sits and just looks confused give him 1 point.

Scoring and results:

13 points or higher - Brilliant!

10 to 12 points - Well above average

7 to 9 - Average

4 to 6 points - Below average

1 to 3 points -A little doggie bonehead! Not most clever kibble in the bag, but we still love ‘em!

This testing can be fun, and can give you a general idea about your dog’s intelligence, but wise pet owners maintain their own criteria. Your dog may not be eligible for Mensa, or even win first place at a dog trial. In fact, he may even lose his favorite ball once in awhile, but when it comes to making us happy and feel good, most of our pets are just downright at the top of the class!

Well done to the Santa Cruz Shoestring Players and their very successful run last weekend of “The impostures of Scapin!”

This Moliere three-act farce, directed by Susan Voorhees and Ray Hathaway, was the very first production presented by the new group of thespians who only started up in January of this year.

Spearheaded by the talented and hard-working Susan Voorhees, a retired teacher who headed the drama club in Sahuarita High School for many years, the Shoestring Players performed their debut production in the rehearsal studio at the Performing Arts and Learning Center in Green Valley.

The audience at Saturday’s performance loved the production, offering the cast and crew a standing ovation at the end of the show.

Actor Jerry McAllister, as Argante, did exceptionally well considering he stepped into his role several weeks after the show was in rehearsal. Michael Guzman played Argante’s son Octave, Jordan Noble played his daughter Zerbinette and Brandon George played Silvestre, Octave’s valet. All three of these actors have ties to Sahuarita High School and have worked with both directors before. All three did an outstanding job with character interpretation and memorizing the loads of lines in a very wordy and clever script.

Actor Ray Leiter portrayed the porter, a character who lived to imbibe “just a little too much.” He was convincing, indeed!

First-time actor Jerry Schultz as G/ronte was delightful and shone in his first production.

Sahuarita High School grad Brian Downing is a veteran of many shows. He and Michael Guzman had a fight scene that included a sword and it was certainly one of the most energetic stunts I’ve seen on a Green Valley stage in a long, long time. They received a huge applause for this well-staged choreographed scene.

Mother and daughter actresses, Laura Acosta and daughter Marisa Acosta were adorable. Marisa played Hyacintha, lover of Octave, and Laura played N/rine, her nurse.

The Green Valley Oscar goes to seasoned actor Hal Streib who played Scapin. With more lines than should be allowed (I mean he had a ton of lines!), Hal carried off the role with finesse, bringing the character alive and serving to tie all the others together in a clever plot.

I loved the costumes and the simple but effective set.

Others to praise for this fine production are pianist Mary Lee Taylor who entertained with the music of Scott Joplin; Phil Wenstrand for sets (he covered all the costs), lighting and sound; DD Jay, stage manager; Bill Dannhauser, creative consultant; and costume folks Sue Voorhees, Kay Otto, Barbara Brown, DD Jay, Margaret Severson and Elizabeth Raybould.

The Santa Cruz Shoestring Players wish to extend a special thanks to Bill and Tammi Stevens of W.F. Stevens Financial Advisors, LLC for being the drama group’s very first donors.

All Gold or Blue Star Mothers or any other organization interested in placing a wreath on Memorial Day, May 26, at the Green Valley Mortuary & Cemetery should call Marvin Garaway at 360-9511.

Garaway, along with the American Legion Post #66 is organizing the wreath ceremony, as well as the Color Guard. Those groups wishing to be part of the Memorial Day color guard lineup should contact Garaway at the same number to guarantee a place and to be included in the printed program to be distributed on the day.

Casting for the Valley Players’ May show, “I Hate Hamlet” has been completed, according to director Susan Ford.

“I Hate Hamlet,” a staged reading sponsored by Green Valley Recreation and open to the public, will be presented Thursday, Friday and Saturday (May 15-17) at 7 p.m. with an additional fourth performance (matinee) at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 17, all in the West Center. Refreshments will be available during intermission.

Tickets for the show are $7 for GVR members and $8, non-GVR. Tickets will go on sale from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., May 5-8 and 12-14 at the West Center. Only 100 seats are available for each performance.

“I Hate Hamlet” is a contemporary comedy involving an actor (Andrew) who has just been cast as Hamlet. Coincidentally, he is living in an apartment where the great Hamlet performer John Barrymore once lived. Andrew’s girlfriend, Deirdre, and his real estate agent, Felicia, suggest conducting a seance to call up Barrymore’s ghost so that he can offer acting advice to Andrew for his challenging role.

As it turns out, Andrew’s New York theater agent, Lillian, reveals that she once had an affair with Barrymore in the very apartment where Andrew lives.

Barrymore’s ghost appears and dramatic mayhem follows!

The action becomes more hilarious with the entrance of Andrew’s deal-making friend from Los Angeles, spouting the laid-back hype of the coast and offering Andrew a fabulous new TV deal worth millions of dollars.

The laughs are nonstop as Andrew wrestles with his conscience, Barrymore, his sword, and the fact that he fails as Hamlet in Central Park.

Jim McCarr will appear as Andrew and Barrymore’s ghost will be played by Jay Kobler. Judy Libby will perform the role of Deirdre with Berdette Robison taking the part of Felicia. Appearing as Lillian and Gary will be Neysa Dickey and John Crosthwaite.

Since “I Hate Hamlet” will be rehearsed and presented in its entirety as a staged reading, roles for two narrators have been created and will be read by Diane Vernon and Karen Soper.

Stage manager for the production is Mary S. Lynn. Music and sound effects from the New York production of “I Hate Hamlet” have been obtained and will add appropriate atmosphere to the performances. The play, being produced through special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, was originally produced at the Walter Kerr Theatre in New York City in April 1991.

Calling all Vidalia onion connoisseurs! These very popular Georgia-grown sweet onions go on sale today, May 2 through Saturday, May 17, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Green Valley branch of Commerce Bank on the corner of Esperanza Boulevard and La Canada Drive. A $10 donation will get you a 10-pound bag of sweet Vidalia onions.

The Vidalia onion sale is sponsored by the Green Valley Shrine Club under the direction of Jim Gibson, who says the money raised from the sale of the onions will go to the local Shrine club organizational expenses.

Gibson thanks bank manager Kevin Jordan for his support for the onion fundraiser.

The Vidalia onion was named Georgia’s official state vegetable by the state legislature in 1990.

The Shriners of North America is a philanthropic fraternity.

Today, there are 22 Shriners Hospitals for children, 18 of which specialize in orthopedic care, treating injuries and problem of bones, joints and muscles, as well as complicated conditions, such as brittle bone disease, spina bifida and cerebral palsy.

Stop at Commerce Bank and buy those onions, folks. Look for the Shriner banner alongside the Commerce Bank sign.

rford@gvnews.com | 547-9740