[cripplecreek]

Dogs understand some fairly complex abstract concepts.

For instance when I point at something, the dog looks for what I’m pointing at rather than at my hand.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

The pointing thing is interesting. Most of my dogs have been able to learn to follow my direction and look for what I am pointing at. I had one dear collie dog who just could not get it. He always just stared at the end of my finger.

[Buckeye McFrog]

I will tell my Pit-Shepherd mix “Get Out of the Kitchen!”

And she will go 2 inches over the door threshold into the dining room and plop herself down.

Only thing is....I’ve never taught her where the kitchen begins and ends.

[blam]

"For instance when I point at something, the dog looks for what I’m pointing at rather than at my hand."

You're correct. Our closest non-human relative, the chimpanzee cannot do that.