December 5, 2012
Can you teach an old dog new tricks? Yes. Can you teach a rescued animal shelter how to drive a car? YES!!!!
Trainers in Auckland, New Zealand have worked these dogs through weeks of indoor training on simulators learning how to shift, brake and steer. Three shelter dogs, unwanted by many, were eventually able to slip behind the wheel of a Cooper Mini and hit the road.
"In this case we've got ten behaviors we're all putting together, so each behavior is a trained behavior, and then you put them into a sequence," explained trainer Mark Vette. "So it's a lot to do, and for the dog to actually start to get an idea of what actually is happening takes quite a long time."
Here is more on these incredible pups from CNN/Worlds Breaking News
Now if we could only teach the cats how to drive too, then we could have a whole new sport of animal racing! This time the animals would be cars! Ok, that is silly, but you would watch wouldn't you?
If you are Inspired by this story to finally adopt an animal in need, please visit one of these great local animal rescues:
Humane Society of Centrail Illinois
"Happy Holidays" from my wonderful rescue dog Harley, who will continue to ride in the back seat for now.
--Susan Saunders 12/05/12