First, the dog's confusion. Say the dog sees a mirror for the first time and tries to play with the 'dog' inside it. Second, their determination in doing silly things. A dog might keep trying to catch its shadow all day long. Third, their lack of awareness of their own actions. A dog could run after its own tail for hours without realizing it's just chasing itself, which is really funny to watch.
One element is the dog's misunderstanding of simple things. For example, if a dog tries to dig through a glass door thinking it can go outside like through a normal door. Another is when the dog overreacts to something harmless. Like barking at a leaf blowing in the wind as if it's a big threat. Also, when the dog does things that are completely illogical, such as trying to climb a wall instead of using the stairs next to it.
Elements of a funny dumb dog story can be the dog's naive behavior. For instance, if a dog gets excited about a box thinking it's a great treasure but it's actually empty. Then there's the dog's inability to learn from mistakes. If a dog repeatedly jumps on a sofa that it's not allowed to, even after getting scolded every time. And also the dog's odd reactions to normal situations, like getting scared of a small bug and running away while knocking things over.
The absurdity of a talking dog itself is an element that makes the story funny. It defies the normal nature of dogs. Then there's the language the dog uses. If it uses big words in a wrong but funny way, like 'I am in dire need of some vittles, good sir.' It also depends on the context. If the dog is talking in a serious situation, like a courtroom, and says something like, 'Your honor, I was just chasing my tail, not causing trouble.' And the relationship between the dog and the other characters in the story. If the dog is bossing around its owner or making friends with other animals by talking charmingly, it can be very humorous.
The unexpectedness makes it funny. Like when a dog poops in a really inappropriate place, such as on someone's brand - new shoes. It's so out of the blue.
Sure. There was a dog that saw its own reflection in a puddle for the first time. It thought it was another dog and started barking furiously at it. Then it tried to run around the puddle to get at this 'other dog', slipped and fell right into the puddle. It came out all muddy and just sat there looking confused.
One memorable story is about a dog that tried to bury a bone in the hardwood floor. It scratched at the floor for ages as if it could dig a hole right there. It was hilarious to watch its determination.
A dog I knew would always run to the door when the doorbell rang on TV. It didn't understand that the sound was coming from the TV and not the actual front door. It was such a dumb yet adorable behavior.
One element is loyalty. For example, a dog that stays by its owner's side through thick and thin, like in the story where the dog waited years for its owner to come back from war. Another is courage, such as a dog facing danger to protect its family. And also, the bond between the dog and humans, like when a dog helps a disabled person live a normal life.
Relatable situations also work well. We all know how it feels to be embarrassed in public. A story about someone slipping on a banana peel in a crowded place is funny because we can put ourselves in that situation.
One element is its appearance. For example, if a dog has matted fur, bloodshot eyes, and bared teeth, it immediately looks menacing. Another is its behavior. If it growls constantly, stalks people, or chases them without any obvious reason, that's scary. Also, the context matters. If the dog is in a spooky place like an old, abandoned building or a dark forest, it adds to the scariness.
Surprise is a key element. For example, in a short story like 'The cat thought it was a dog for a day. Then it remembered it had nine lives and didn't care anymore.' The unexpected twist at the end makes it funny.
One element is their innocent misunderstandings. For example, thinking a dog is a big furry cat. Another is their clumsy attempts at doing adult - like things, like trying to shave with a toy razor. Also, their unpredictable reactions to simple things. Say, when they see a balloon pop and instead of being scared, they start laughing.