Dogs can be pretty bright if they work for you.
My dog would salivate if I spoke one of these words:
“icecream.” ( a special treat)
“beer” ( he loved a cup of beer after hunting game when it was wet and cold.) He would lap it up and immediately hit the sack for a long sleep.
He also developed a distatse for men in uniform becaus of the mailman. He thought anyone in a uniform was the mailman....led to a few situations with border officers when crossing into Canada ......He would go all rowsey bowsey.
Dogs are great. Cesar Millan, a/k/a “The Dog Whisperer” is quite good in handling dogs and I have used his techniques effectively several times. Friends of mine are astonished that when I visit, their rambunctious spaniels obey when I order them to settle down. I will have to keep that beer trick in mind.