rescue dogs learn how to drive a car

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Dec 06, 2012

first image
'porter' the beardie cross learning to drive

mini cooper new zealand, the society for the prevention of cruelty to animals (SPCA) and the engineering team of ikon engineering have teamed
up to teach three rescue dogs how to drive - in the process hoping to dispel the idea that abandoned pets are less worthy and increase animal adoption.

the chosen pups - named porter, monty and ginny - are learning to drive a modified version of the mini countryman with specially
developed rigs featuring paw-friendly accelerators and brakes. the dogs were chosen due to their size, appearance and attitude,
and after just a few weeks of training with head driving coach mark vette and his team, the playful pooches learned to sit facing forward
with their paws on the steering wheels.

SPCA auckland CEO christine kalin explains:

'I think sometimes people think because they're getting an animal that's been abandoned that somehow it's a second-class animal'

'...in eight short weeks of training, which really shows with the right environment just how much potential all dogs from the SPCA have as family pets.'

'..driving a car actively demonstrates to potential rescue dog adopters that you can teach an old dog new tricks. the dogs have
achieved amazing things in eight short weeks of training, which really shows with the right environment just how much potential all
dogs from the SPCA have as family pets.'

under the supervision of trainers the canine trio will be put to the test in front of a campbell live's national TV audience on december 10th, 2012.

'porter' the beardie cross

the pups are learning to drive a modified version of the mini countryman

'monty' the giant schnauzer cross learning to drive

the specially modified steering wheel

paw-friendly accelerators

'ginny' the beardie whippet cross

a video demonstrating the dogs in action

via sky

lara db

12.06.12

Alcoholics all over the world will lineup for these dogs. …I swear officer he was the only one who was sober… so I let him drive…

With my dog I would’ve had to hide the car keys or he would driven to a local dog parks to see his friends.

Ed says:

Dec 06, 2012

Reply
I don’t even want to imagine what they’ve put these through to make them learn this super useful thing.

Guz says:

Dec 06, 2012

Reply
these are wonderful ideas for my next project for designing a car. thanks a lot.

politikwissenschaftler says:

Dec 13, 2012

Reply
They don’t need to learn this crap! Just find them a nice family, drive your own car and let the animals live in peace!!!

Mariana Deus says:

Dec 17, 2012

Reply
Leave that dog alone and destroy that horrendous prototype of whatever.

Hwa says:

Dec 18, 2012

Reply
Whew! what is wrong with posh designers being so agressive about this?! I think it really is funny! What umpteenth lame or pathetic clip would you grumpy guys and gals do for a campaign for animal adoption? Thumbs up my friends!

Emy says:

Jan 28, 2013

Reply
The dogs were trained as a publicity stunt to raise awareness of the plight of abandoned dogs.

The training used is humane and the dogs are not “put through” anything unpleasant. SPCA stands for “Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals”.

View the story online here:http://www.3news.co.nz/Driving-dogs-Porter-and-Monty-show-off-their-skills/tabid/367/articleID/280035/Default.aspx

Jon says:

Jan 31, 2013

Reply

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