Back in 2012, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in New Zealand thought to show the world just how intelligent dogs really are. The team picked three shelter pups: Ginny, Monty, and Porter. The dogs were all different breeds with unique stories and personalities. Incredibly, over just a few weeks, all three of them learned how to operate a modified MINI Cooper.

The dogs started their training indoors using a modified cart. The pups sat in a standard car seat. They controlled the cart with a regular steering wheel covered with soft foam for better grip. The cart featured a modified ignition and gear shifter, too.

Using lots of treats and verbal commands, the SPCA team successfully taught all three dogs how to operate the cart. Afterward, the team transitioned to a real outdoor track – and a modified four-door MINI Cooper.

All of them learned how to start, drive, and turn the MINI Cooper around the track, to varying degrees of success.

The stunt proved that regardless of breed or background, dogs can hyper-focus and perform tasks that we two-legged creatures might not even consider possible – even driving. The SPCA in New Zealand posted several videos of training and testing the dogs in order to raise awareness and promote adoption.