[ELI5] What dictates a domestic animal’s ability to follow commands or cues by their owner?

Question

[ELI5] What dictates a domestic animal’s ability to follow commands or cues by their owner?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Some dogs are smarter than others, like humans. Some pick it up a lot easier than others. Some have been bred for cuteness not smarts while others have been bred for smarts. There will be a variation in genetics which leads to variation in brain function so some dog breeds are just smarter than others thanks to selective breeding. So our malamute is mega smart and learns commands almost instantly, my Pomeranian is dumb af and takes forever to connect the dots between trick and treat.