Dog Community

Dogs learning from dogs

Posted : 5/10/2008 12:37:31 AM

My beagle puppies are only about 12 weeks old and have learned so much from interacting with my adult dogs. Though they really don't know their names yet, Velvet has learned to fetch a tennis ball by watching Roscoe bring it back and seeing how happy I am when he does that. The first time she chased down the ball and dropped it at my feet I was tickled to death! all of my dogs also know "wait" before I let them come in or out of the house- the puppies have learned this too. So precious to see them plop down into a sit position when I ask them to wait at the door, just because they see the older dogs do it! They are also learning if they want to get a treat they need to sit quietly. Ace is still trying to understand this concept (lol, still like feeding a shark), though Velvet has mastered it. Housebreaking is going really well too. They try their hardest to wait to go outside where the big dogs do. I didn't know dogs could be such great role models for eachother! Does anyone else have a pup that has learned things only by watching other dogs?

DPU

Posted : 5/12/2008 2:02:10 PM

I count on it and I count on it a lot. I foster dogs from the humane society and my residence pack is a very stable group. The new dogs that come in quickly learn the house rules from residence dogs.

TAOofGoldyShep

Posted : 5/12/2008 2:24:41 PM

As one example, our female Golden learned what to do with a frisbee only by watching other dogs doing it. We tried everything to get her to understand - she is very intelligent and we assumed it was just us not getting the message across properly. One day at a dog event, she sat outside the frisbee area and just watched these dogs with the frisbees. We figured what the heck, let's see if she learned anything. Went in, threw the frisbee and she caught the frisbee (first try) like she'd been doing it for years! It was like she thought to herself "Ohhhhh, THAT'S what I'm supposed to do with that thing!" It was so great to witness...love it, love it, love it. Frisbee is her favorite pastime (other than the beach).

erica1989

Posted : 5/12/2008 10:27:15 PM

Oh, all the time!

I use Casey to teach basic manners, leash walking, and house training to all my pups. I get puppies anywhere from 4 weeks, on up. I'm taking in a 1 year old tomorrow (just for the day, to see how it works), he's a bigger dog, but I'm sure Casey will be teaching him everything - which makes things so much easier on me!

janetmichel3009

Posted : 5/12/2008 11:34:03 PM

all the time. it's funny sometimes, to see jason look at moca and back at me. if moca is being good and sitting nicely to wait for something, jason will not dare to jump around.... if moca looses paitience, jason is right up there with her being naughty.. haha

Jewlieee

Posted : 5/13/2008 8:10:56 AM

Yep. I count on it too. Dogs teach each other all sorts of things - good and bad ;p. My aussie learned to shake as a pup just from watching my husky do it.

CoBuHe

Posted : 5/13/2008 10:02:28 AM

Beejou
I didn't know dogs could be such great role models for eachother! Does anyone else have a pup that has learned things only by watching other dogs?

Absolutely. There is no better teacher than an older dog in the family. Well, of course, aside from us. Wink

Its fun to watch the younger dog looking to the older one to see what they will do in a particular situation. Then follow suit with confidence.

JackieG

Posted : 5/13/2008 10:25:22 AM

It's true that dogs observe other dogs behavior and learn. Unfortunately, sometimes they learn things we don't want them to learn. For example, I have had dogs pick up on fear of thunder, fireworks, etc. from other dogs. This is a survival instinct for the dog. In the wild canines often learn what to avoid and fear by watching pack members. This isn't always what we want. Just something to keep in mind. Enjoy your puppies!s

erica1989

Posted : 5/13/2008 10:35:18 AM

I don't agree entirely..... my dog is very fear aggressive with meeting new people, and even with people he sees all the time - he just does not like some poeple, my dad included. I've never had a foster decide not to like my father because Casey didn't....(no, my father has never done anything to my dog, he's had a shady past is just is unsure of certain men)

Liesje

Posted : 5/13/2008 12:48:56 PM

I don't know that my dogs actually learn from each other (b/c I think in order to learn you need someone doing the teaching), but one dog will bring out things in the other dog, things that are there but are easier for another dog to bring out than for me.

For example, for a loooooong time I'd been trying to get Kenya to 1) bark, and 2) play tug. She never barked once, save for a few muffled "wffs" until we got Coke. Now, when someone comes to the door, Coke gives about two deep barks but Kenya lights up and is like "BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK!!!" Nice loud, short barks in a row. I LIKE this b/c I want alert barking. Also, I say "enough!" and that's it, they stop. The person can walk into the house with no problems, I don't even have to be there to control the dogs. I also tried and tried (and am still trying) to develop her tug so that maybe someday we could at least try some bite work in Schutzhund. It's no fair b/c Coke will throw a toy her way and they will tug for 45 minutes! I have to work so hard just to get her to grip a toy for .5 second.

denise m

Posted : 5/13/2008 4:11:17 PM

When Kobi was a puppy I remember being curious as to when (if ever) he would start to 'lift his leg". After spending a weekend with my sisters dog, Kobi came back 'master of the mark". I must admit, I was very grateful to Toby as I was not looking forward to having to teach that little trick myself. LOL

CoBuHe

Posted : 5/13/2008 4:19:01 PM

Denise, that's so funny. It reminded me of Heidi now. She has started lifting her leg when doing her business, Why? Because she observes Buddy Boy. LOL Hopefully, its just a phase. Indifferent

denise m

Posted : 5/13/2008 4:23:31 PM

I used to be under the impression that marking was a 'dog' thing. Old wives tale I suppose! I actually see that most females mark as well, so it may not be a phase at all.

Beejou

Posted : 5/13/2008 4:52:32 PM

denise m

When Kobi was a puppy I remember being curious as to when (if ever) he would start to 'lift his leg". After spending a weekend with my sisters dog, Kobi came back 'master of the mark". I must admit, I was very grateful to Toby as I was not looking forward to having to teach that little trick myself. LOL

LOL. Funny enough, I've always been really grateful that my male GSD mix does NOT lift his leg. He squats down in the most feminine of fashion to relieve himself. So far, my male beagle is squatting too. Seems like maybe this is a learned behavior/individual dog thing as well.