Minnesota dog may be next Picasso

EUCLID, Minn. (KABC) -- We all think our own dogs are the sweetest, smartest and most talented, but one rescue dog in Minnesota may take the cake.

He's learned to paint and is using his artistic side to help other animals, ABC affiliate WDAZ-TV reports.

Meet Newman. This spitfire of a dog was adopted by the Grunhovd family in Minnesota. Newman's mom Kaydi Grunhovd noticed he had a lot of extra energy, especially during the cold winter months, so she decided to try to teach him how to paint.

Grunhovd says she has seen lots of dogs paint with their paws, but she wanted to see if Newman could go one step further and actually paint using a brush. She used positive reinforcement and lots of treats to first get Newman to just hold the brush, before she finally got him to paint on canvas.

"I wanted to show that rescue dogs are smart, and I wanted him to be an ambassador for that. It's just added bonus that if anybody wants to support him by purchasing one of his pieces of art that donations would be given back to circle of friends," Grunhovd said.

Newman now sells his creations on his own Etsy page.

Newman has sold several paintings, which range in price from $10 to $35.

All the money raised goes to animal rescue groups near his home in Minnesota.

KTRK-TV contributed to this report.