Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks -- a trainer in New Zealand is teaching man's best friend to drive -- really!
The SPCA in Auckland thought it would be a good way to showcase how smart rescue dogs are and perhaps improve their adoption rate. So they called on animal trainer, Mark Vette, who was up for the challenge.
Out of a pool of seven dogs, Vette chose "Monty," "Ginny" and "Porter." Monty is an 18-month-old giant schnauzer whose owners turned him in when he became "too much for them to handle."
Ginny is a 1-year-old whippet mix rescued from abusive owners, and someone found 10-month-old Porter roaming the streets.
Vette explained their strategy.
"No animal has ever driven a car before so what we're going to do is we're going to do a straight and we're going to head off, so we'll start the car, get into position, brake on, gear in place, back onto the steering wheel, accelerator, take off and head along the straight and then stop," he said.
At first, they started with lots of indoor training with a fake car, using clicker-reinforced targets to teach the dogs how to shift gears, use a brake and steer.
"When we chain behaviors together, in this case we've got 10 behaviors we're all putting together, so each behavior is a trained behavior, and then you put them into a sequence. 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," Vette said.
Five weeks later, Monty was ready to try the real thing -- on a closed track, of course. Monty hopped right in behind the wheel, put the car into gear, on command, then waited for the trainer to order "A" for accelerator.
Then he was off! Monty was driving...some might say a little better than what we sometimes see on Tampa Bay roads!
Monty and the other "drivers" will show off their new skill on national television in New Zealand on December 10th. Vette says after that "test drive," his roving rescue rovers just might be in huge demand. Says Vette, "It will be Dial-a-Dog" the week after this!"
Thursday, May 16 2013 11:06 PM EDT2013-05-17 03:06:37 GMT
Florida provides state funded security for visiting politicians and dignitaries, even when they arrive with their own security.
Florida provides state funded security for visiting politicians and dignitaries, even when they arrive with their own security. Florida has been doing it for years, whether out-of-state politicians -- mostly governors -- come here for business or pleasure.
Thursday, May 16 2013 10:21 PM EDT2013-05-17 02:21:34 GMT
The Florida Army National Guard Honor Guard Team appears at more than 5,000 funerals each year. They raise, lower, fold and fly the American flag day after day.
The Florida Army National Guard Honor Guard Team appears at more than 5,000 funerals each year. They raise, lower, fold and fly the American flag day after day. They know Old Glory pretty well, and want to spread the word about how to properly display and handle our national symbol.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:10 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:10:55 GMT
The bottle has just one ingredient, so you'd think the process would be simple. However, making everyday orange juice requires an army of people, acres of machinery, and a lot of time.
The bottle has just one ingredient, so you'd think the process would be simple. However, making everyday orange juice requires an army of people, acres of machinery, and a lot of time.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 9:43 PM EDT2013-05-16 01:43:06 GMT
An unmanned Atlas V rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Wednesday, hauling the latest GPS satellite into orbit for the military.
An unmanned Atlas V rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Wednesday, hauling the latest GPS satellite into orbit for the military.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 5:11 PM EDT2013-05-14 21:11:26 GMT
During his five months in space, Canadian astronaut Col. Chris Hadfield captivated the Twitterverse with photo after photo of our home planet, taken from orbit.
During his five months in space, Canadian astronaut Col. Chris Hadfield captivated the Twitterverse with photo after photo of our home planet, taken from orbit.
Monday, April 22 2013 11:43 AM EDT2013-04-22 15:43:20 GMT
A company contracted by NASA to deliver supplies to the International Space Station successfully launched a rocket from the Virginia coast in a test of its ability to send a cargo ship aloft.
A company contracted by NASA to deliver supplies to the International Space Station successfully launched a rocket from the Virginia coast in a test of its ability to send a cargo ship aloft.
Monday, April 15 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-04-15 22:45:40 GMT
Two explosions shattered the finish of the Boston Marathon on Monday, sending authorities out on the course to carry away the injured while stragglers in the 26.2-mile race were rerouted away from the smoking site.
Two explosions shattered the finish of the Boston Marathon on Monday, sending authorities out on the course to carry away the injured while stragglers in the 26.2-mile race were rerouted away from the smoking site.
Tuesday, April 9 2013 4:00 PM EDT2013-04-09 20:00:35 GMT
Crews finally pulled a sunken beer truck out of the Manatee River. The driver had escaped serious injury after losing control on I-75 and crashing during bad weather.
Crews finally pulled a sunken beer truck out of the Manatee River. The driver had escaped serious injury after losing control on I-75 and crashing during bad weather.
Wednesday, March 27 2013 10:58 PM EDT2013-03-28 02:58:24 GMT
Researchers at USF have located at least 50 unmarked graves at the old Dozier School for Boys, and on Wednesday, Sen. Bill Nelson himself will tour the facility.
Wednesday was the first time the media was allowed inside the "White House" at the Dozier School for Boys in Marianna. It's where men say they were beaten and tortured as young boys -- and there appear to be bloody handprints backing up their stories.
Monday, March 25 2013 4:44 PM EDT2013-03-25 20:44:08 GMT
James Hinchcliffe overtook Helio Castroneves with 26 laps remaining and held on to win his first career victory at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
James Hinchcliffe overtook Helio Castroneves with 26 laps remaining and held on to win his first career victory at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
Monday, February 25 2013 8:49 AM EST2013-02-25 13:49:49 GMT
Hollywood's brightest stars turned out for the Academy Awards on Sunday. From the best dressed to the most forgettable, here's a look at Tinseltown's biggest night from the red carpet.
Hollywood's brightest stars turned out for the Academy Awards on Sunday. From the best dressed to the most forgettable, here's a look at Tinseltown's biggest night from the red carpet.
