Their Dog Won’t Come Whenever He’s Called, But He’s Not Deaf. Then They Realize The Truth…

by pawbuzz on in Dogs 47

Stanley is a very special Golden Retriever, in more ways than one.

Imgur user KCN1 uploaded this adorable story about his family’s rescue pup, and when you hear it you’ll understand why the internet is falling in love with Stanley.


Source: Stanley

Stanley was a mystery dog, adopted at age five from a rescue home in Florida. His owner describes the moment they met at the foster home:

“He was sleeping on top of their dining room table. They called his name and he didn’t budge so we went over to him instead. He was very sweet, gave lots of kisses, then jumped off the table and trotted to the front door. We took that as a sign that he wanted to come home with us although, it’s entirely possible that he just had to pee.”

Despite some quirks – it was clear Stanley had never really been trained – the Golden Retriever was adorable. He got along fantastically well with his new family, even the cats.


Source: Stanley and some new friends

Stanley just couldn’t seem to get his training right, though. Basic commands were met with blank, surprised stares. Christmas ornaments became snacks. After bringing up another Golden with model behavior, Stanley’s owners were a little bit concerned…maybe this dog just didn’t respond to their teaching style?

‘Well, fair enough,’ thought Stanley’s new owners. They brought in some outside help.

After a few weeks with no results, the professional trainer suggested that Stanley get his ears checked – maybe the lovable guy had a hearing problem? He passed the hearing test with flying colors, and a few days later the new trainer decided she needed to focus on “more promising clients”.

The next trainer lasted three months, declaring Stanley “mentally challenged” as she left without any progress to show. Stanley was just a lovable, fluffy ball of quirky behavior and bad manners. His owner described some of his stranger habits:

Stanley collects the same three items around the house (remote control, my daughter’s care bear, and my left slipper) at the same time, EVERY day. He carries each item upstairs and places it under the bed in the guest room. If he can’t locate one of the items, he becomes visibly stressed and paces around for hours frantically looking for it. Basically, it ruins his day. So we make it a point to leave theses things where he is used to finding them. At least I always know where to find them.


Source: Stanley and his favorite toy

A friend who had recently adopted a dog recommended a book called Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh – it included a dog that sounded just like Stanley. The book includes a “Doggie IQ test”, which Stanley’s owner decided it might be time to try.

The first step: call out the dog’s name to see how it responds…

The second: put a blanket over the dog, to see if it’s smart enough to shake it off…

The third: show your dog a treat before hiding it under a cup, to see if it’s smart enough to knock the cup over…

Just to be sure, the owner gave the IQ test to his other Golden Retriever. She passed all three steps with ease.

Even with all of Stanley’s very special behavior, his owner’s still love him and appreciate him for who he is. As the owner heartwarmingly concludes,

“If my dog was human, he would probably be riding the short bus. But he’s become a wonderful part of our family and we will always love him… No matter what.”

Love Stanley’s story? Please SHARE this with your friends and family.



47 thoughts on “Their Dog Won’t Come Whenever He’s Called, But He’s Not Deaf. Then They Realize The Truth…”

  2. Ross Timmins

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    Title isn’t really relevant. Dog won’t obey basic commands, even under guidance from a$#%&!@*trainer. OWNER SAYS Stanley collects the same three items around the house (remote control, my daughter’s care bear, and my left slipper) at the same time, EVERY day. He carries each item upstairs and places it under the bed in the guest room. If he can’t locate one of the items, he becomes visibly stressed and paces around for hours frantically looking for it. Basically, it ruins his day. So we make it a point to leave theses things where he is used to finding them.

  8. Lisa DiBartolomeo

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    These people accepted the fact that he’s not trainable and kept him anyway. They made the choice to be his family and gave him a loving home. They didn’t dump him back at the rescue, so they’re OK on my book.
    I had a dog who could not understand basic commands and rules. We went through 4 different trainers before we admitted he was learning disabled. We loved him, that’s all that matters.

  10. Janet Lynn Carter

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    If he was human I would say that he has some type of autism. By his action every day of getting the three items and placing them in a safe place to him. I would bet that this dog is a very intelligent dog maybe smarter that us Humans. Also I if you can find out if Stanley was his name as a puppy. I have heard incidents of rescue dogs not coming simply because they don’t understand that they have a new name but if they do here the name they were given first they do respond. Also keep trying different training methods he may just learn differently that other dogs. Hope this helps.

  12. Ann O' Grady

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    I have golden retriever too his gorgeous he won’t come over to me for attention until he brings a gift with him, he comes with teddy, or a sock, he loves sock or a biscuit whatever he finds he brings it in his mouth to me, I think it’s so cute, he is adorable boy Cody, I leave stuff around the house for him

  17. Patricia Kelley

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    If you haven’t read Hyperbole and a Half it is the MOST hilarious book out there! We have a “simple minded” dog too, but she also has a “helper” sibling to assist her with managing her days. You will be on the floor rolling with laughter, guaranteed! It is all cartoons and captions, an easy read!

  20. Julia Seavey Walsh

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    It sounds like he’s a service dog trained to help get someone ( the remote, slippers, comfort item) his name is different and that’s why he doesn’t answer to you
    Trained to only answer to them ??!!

  21. Tammy Cronin

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    Let me sum this up before you decide to click….

    Dog doesn’t listen, went through several trainers who just gave up. They read a book that had a dog IQ test, which they performed on their OTHER dog. (It doesn’t say if they preformed it on the dog in question )
    No answers at all about why the dog behaves the way it does. BUT, they love him anyway.
    The end.

  22. Kathie Wagner

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    So happy he is in a loving family, Sounds like Stanley was not given any attention during his first years, He may be simply responding to being by himself and thinks that this is the correct way. He is a beautiful dog!!

  25. Danah Anderson

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    It does say that if he was human he would ride the short bus. Do I’m guessing he is Autistic or mentally challenged. The wa Yuh he had to gather certain things everyday or he gets stressed might me he had some form of doggie OCD.

  39. Brianna Nix

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    It could be that he was trained in another language, or Stanley is not his name. I’ve heard it’s frequent that dogs at a shelter are given names because they don’t have collars or their owner tells the shelter the wrong name on purpose.

  44. Jamye Ryan

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    Does she think the toys are babies? My dog used to go into heat and she’d start collecting babies ie stuffed toys socks shoes and she’d put them in her little bad with her

  47. Jackie Fernandes

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    That is so sweet. He is just a dog n does not have to be perfect. The fact the owners lo e him anyway is kinda very sweet. God bless you’ll n don’t give up on Stanley because of his short comings please. He may come around someday you will never know n will be the best golden in the world.

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