Article content

[np_storybar title=”Of course there’s video” link=”#1″]

Click here to watch it

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Meanwhile, in New Zealand, they've taught dogs how to drive Back to video

[/np_storybar]

It took weeks of training indoors teaching them how to change gears, brake and steer, but a New Zealand SPCA has taught three dogs how to drive a car.

Now, the canines have finally been allowed behind the wheel of a real car — with a little help from their handlers.

The effort comes via The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Auckland, which is using the unusual spectacle as way to show the intelligence of rescued dogs.

Auckland’s SPCA has been having trouble finding homes for the dogs it rescues — a common situation for animal charities around the world.

The three clever canines — Monty, Ginny and Porter — were picked out and taught by trainer Mark Vette.

“No animal has ever driven a car before so what we’re going to do is we’re going to do a straight and we’re going to head off, so we’ll start the car, get into position, brake on, gear in place, back onto the steering wheel, accelerator, take off and hoon along the straight and then stop,” he told New Zealand’s TV3.

It took Vette and the dogs months before they got up to speed — but now they’re ready for their big test. Next Monday, Monty the dog will go on national TV to show off his skills.

Files from Associated Press