We’ve always maintained that the only thing keeping dogs from ruling the world are opposable thumbs.  Now we’re not so sure. Check out the videos below,

Though the police officer in the first video didn’t want to be put on You Tube, his dog’s cleverness made the video go viral back in 2009 when a crew from onetencrew films captured the industrious Greenburgh, New York police dog demonstrating his ability to open a car door, get in, then close the door after himself.  

The dog is “Patriot,” so named by the second grade class of the Sacred Heart School in Hartsdale, NY as a tribute to those who perished in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Patriot began his seventeen week training academy in 2003 and upon graduation was assigned to the Patrol Division where he tracked narcotics detection, apprehended numerous suspects, and made many successful “hits” on drug locations. Sadly, Patriot passed away in 2013 at the age of twelve and was laid to rest at Hartsdale Pet Cemetery.

Far from being a “one off,” far too many dog owners have been chagrined to discover their dogs’ ability to open doors. One of our favorites is “General,” a ten year old Great Pyrenees who decided he’d had enough of the Aquia-Garrison Animal Hospital in Virginia where he’d been boarded while his family was on vacation.

General opened three different doors with his mouth and nose before his great escape. An alert went out as soon as he was discovered to be missing, but security cameras caught the whole thing on video. He showed up in a neighbor’s yard 15 hours later, none the worse for wear.

And finally, we share a video that some believe was taken in South America because the bird singing in the background is a Great Kiskadee. The owners had set up the camera after they couldn’t figure out how this dog kept getting out of its run.

 

Thumbs? Dogs don’t need no stinking thumbs.  

Do you live with a canine Houdini?

Thumbnail image of  “Patriot” from the Greenburgh Police Department