Beau The K9 Math Wizz

Beau the "canine calculator"

Beau, a 12 year old Labrador Retriever from Montana is not only a skilled hunter, but also a skilled mathematician! David Madsen, Beau's owner taught Beau to count since he was a puppy. David used biscuits as a reward, but to receive his reward, Beau had to bark the corresponding number of times with the number of biscuits laid out for him. Madsen described Beau as "super smart" and said that "I've had dogs all my life, but this dog is different.. He caught on that rewards were associated with the correct number of barks." Beau has become a celebrity at the Flathead lake resort in Montana where he and his family spend the summer. Since learning basic math skills, Beau has now mastered some addition, subtraction, division, and even square roots! Madsen claims that his "canine calculator" as he calls Beau, is correct about 85% of the time, while performing impromptu demonstrations at local restaurants, and for people at the park. Don't believe me? Ask Chris Ricciardi, chief of the Finley Point-Yellow Bay, Montana Fire Department, he will vouch for Beau's skills. "Dave will say, 'What's two and three?' Then the dog will go, 'Bark, bark ... bark, bark, bark,'" said Chris Ricciardi who also added that " This dog is amazing!" Beau had a chance to take his special talent nationwide when he auditioned in Savannah, Georgia for the "Stupid Pet Tricks" segment on the CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman." Unfortunately Beau did not make the cut, but his auditions were aired which got the eye of the the locals making him the talk of the town. On another occasion, when asked how many girls were nearby, Beau barked twice, correct. Then he was asked how many boys? Beau barked five times even though there were only four boys, but it was then that Madsen realised that Beau is male and he was including himself!
I think that Beau's story and talent is incredible! Any animal that can be taught such "human" skills is extraordinary. Kudos to David Madsen, Beau's owner who has obviously spent many hours training with Beau.  I love hearing of stories like this where animals have learn unique skills because it inspires me to at least attempt to train my stubborn Airedale Terrier Kayto! I know, from at experience that training a dog is very hard and takes a lot of patience. Clearly David Mansen loves his dog very much to have spent so much time training him, which I think is really cool. Dogs are a "man's best friend" as they say. I think that Dacid should keep entering Beau in talent competitions as I think that he could potentially win which would be awesome.

 Sources: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/17/us-dog-math-idUSTRE77G3CS20110817

REUTERS, "Montana Dog Becomes Local Celebrity For His Math Skills", August 17, 2011, By Laura Zuckerman