Clever Cocker Spaniel masters kids’ games

By Jack Fifield & Chris Cordner

A brainy Cocker Spaniel called Nancy has been dubbed one of Britain's smartest dogs after winning a game of Connect 4.

Lynn Stacey, 58, filmed assistance dog Nancy, six, successfully getting three in a row on a smaller children’s version of Connect Four.

The curly-haired dog can also pile hoops on a pole and stack different colored cups inside of one another thanks to her training, as well as helping her owner to open doors, get dressed, and push buttons.

Nancy learned many of her tricks from her former best friend, Cocker Spaniel Bella.

The bright pooch knew more than 500 tricks but sadly passed away last year at the age of 13.

Owner Lynn thinks Nancy, who gets recognized by members of the public on walks at the local beach, isn't quite Britain's smartest dog.

The volunteer assistance dog trainer said: “I think Bella had that title, she knew about 500 tricks. Nancy is not quite as good, she’s a bit of a character, a bit of a live wire.

“Bella was very calm and serious about things, she took things very seriously.

“Nancy’s a bit of a live wire, but that’s what makes it fun, that’s her character and her personality.

“Everyone’s really surprised, we popped into Pets at Home today and they were giving her biscuits, and I said ‘Make her do something for it’ and she was doing tricks for them in the shop.”

Lynn, of Sunderland, said she had managed to train Nancy to play Connect by linking together different behaviors.

She said: “First of all, I had to teach her how to hold the token correctly, in her front teeth.

“If she holds it in her whole mouth she’s not going to be able to put it in the slot properly at the top.

“Then you have to teach them separately how to target the frame with their mouth, so they touch the top of the frame with their mouth so they know where they’re going to put the token, then we put it all together.”

Lynn added: “We trawl charity shops for kids toys and kids puzzles that we can do, she can stack the cups all inside of each other.

“She's got her own specific doggy puzzles as well, where you have to open drawers and lift lids, and stuff like that.”