You can learn about intelligence by studying puppies.
Too often, we treat intelligence and potential like they are binary outcomes. Someone is either smart or they’re not. They’re either capable of doing something or they’re not. But the reality is more nuanced.
A longitudinal study by Duke University’s Canine Cognition Lab challenges our traditional views on development and potential. The results show that a puppy’s mind doesn’t develop consistently or at a predictable pace. It’s more like a series of independent systems clicking into gear at different times.
The researchers tracked more than 100 service-dog-in-training puppies for five years, testing them every two weeks starting from age eight weeks until 20 weeks. By 16 weeks, the puppies had already developed 9 out of 10 of the cognitive skills tested, including memory and impulse control. These skills emerged independently; a puppy might have an incredible working memory but struggle with social cues, or vice versa.
This result mirrors the Multiple Intelligences Theory described by psychologist Howard Gardner in his 1983 book “Frames of Mind.” Garner suggests that a single IQ score is too limiting to be useful and instead proposes that human cognitive ability should be broken down into eight distinct modalities. Puppies and humans might develop cognition similarly.
Many childhood educators suggest that “more is better” when it comes to early exposure. However, the Duke study found that puppies raised on a bustling college campus showed no cognitive advantage over those raised in standard homes. Hyper-socialization doesn’t seem to accelerate learning in puppies; it’s unlikely to do it in children either.
One of the most interesting tests in this study involved a locked container with a treat inside. The puppy’s reaction to this “impossible task” was a good predictor to its future role:
- Service Dogs: Puppies that quickly abandon the struggle and make eye contact with a human to ask for help were much more likely to succeed in service roles. This social tendency is a prerequisite for dogs that must work in close, communicative partnerships with humans.
- Detection Dogs: Conversely, puppies that ignore humans and independently try to solve the problem were better suited for detection work (like sniffing out explosives). These are situations in which independent problem-solving and tenacity are essential.
The lesson for those of us in business is clear. We often look for the smartest/most accomplished candidate but we are likely better off looking for the right profile. The best candidate is the one who is the best fit.
And remember, regardless of whether you’re training a puppy or building a team, talent isn’t a single trait. It’s a collection of independent skills, each with its own timeline to develop.
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