I’m guessing this is some kind of viral-style campaign to get more people to donate to the SPCA.
[cue jokes about them still being better than Asian drivers]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/12/05/video-.html

Dogs learning to drive
New Zealand SPCA publicity campaign centres on canine driving course

New Zealand’s Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is putting three of its rescued dogs through an intensive course — teaching them to drive.

It’s part of a publicity campaign in South Auckland to raise awareness about the intelligence of man’s best friend, and to encourage people to adopt rescue dogs.

The plan began with master animal trainer Mark Vette, New Zealand’s TV3 reports. The students include Monty, an 18-month-old giant schnauzer, Ginny, a one-year-old whippet crossbreed, and Porter, a 10-month-old beardie crossbreed.

The dogs are being trained to steer and shift gears, media reports say, and trainers are using both a rig that can simulate automobile motion and tests with a specially adapted Mini automobile.

When the teaching is complete, the dogs are expected to demonstrate their abilities in a televised test.

I’m thinking your right.  I’m having a hard time picturing how they could accomplish this.

AussieBruce - 05 December 2012 11:42 AM

I’m guessing this is some kind of viral-style campaign to get more people to donate to the SPCA.

I’m not sure why you would think that. Other than, you know, the multiple times “publicity campaign” is used in the story.

Okay, I don’t drive though I know how, and I and others I’ve watched really need opposable thumbs to grip/hold onto and turn the steering wheel…...........

It was a ‘big’ enough story I saw it on the news last night. They’re driving electric go-carts altered to be dog friendly. Top speed is walking pace. Yes, they do ‘change gears’ and accelerate/stop, but its not really driving, more like going to a ride for 5 meters.

They covered it on my news too. The dogs do look like they’re doing an okay job of it, and have things set up for them… but yeah, let’s keep them off the freeways, please.