Here is a a book and program which may help determine just what your dog can really do and what he is good at doing or maybe not so good at doing. There is also a way you can participate in this research.
Dr. Hare talks about the research into the cognitive abilities of dogs and explains what the purpose and goals of that research are:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wnb7KjgFgc&feature=youtu.b
This is the program and how any dog owner can participate in this research:
