Surprising Skills: Dogs Learn from Peers!

Learning

Dogs indeed learn from one another, especially puppies who often take cues from older dogs.

What can they learn? Both good and bad behaviors. It's important to note that in the dog world, actions are not inherently good or bad; rather, it's about whether the owner permits them. In other words, if your older dog is setting a bad example for the puppy, it's often a reflection of your own training methods.

Here are some common things puppies are most likely to pick up from their older companions:

Accurate Elimination

While there's no definitive answer, many renowned dog trainers abroad believe that puppies learn to eliminate at specific spots because they perceive it as safer to do so near where the adult dog eliminates. If the adult dog practices accurate elimination, the puppy is likely to pick up this skill quickly.

Overcoming Fear

One of the most common examples is navigating stairs. The learning logic between dogs is fascinating. Once one dog proves that something or a behavior is safe, the other dog will move from fear to curiosity and attempt the same action.

This skill is closely related to a dog's innate teamwork and survival instincts. If dogs' ancestors hadn't mastered this skill, they might have been淘汰 by nature long ago.

Obedience Training

The simplest and most crucial obedience command is "sit." When one dog sits to wait for a reward, another dog that hasn't received obedience training may also try to sit and wait for its turn. This is a common occurrence, though not every dog will do this.

Other obedience commands can also influence surrounding dogs, especially when rewards are involved. Many dogs that haven't been trained to obey may try to imitate their trained companions.

Bad Behavior

The term "bad behavior" may seem straightforward, but it's a source of frustration for countless dog owners.

If a dog, especially a puppy, is frequently bullied or robbed of food by an adult dog, it's likely to adopt the same aggressive attitude as an adult. It will treat new puppies in the same manner as the older dog treated it in its youth.

You might wonder, "Why don't they learn good things instead of bad?"

However, this is not the case. Dogs don't understand that bullying is wrong; they simply view it as an acceptable behavior. Just like some school bullies today, they may not realize the consequences of their actions until they grow up. Without guidance and explanations from teachers and parents, they may not understand until they are older.

On a side note, dogs can learn from each other, not just puppies from older dogs. Adult dogs can also learn from one another, especially those that live together longterm.

So, before you bring a second dog into your home, take a moment to consider what your current pets can teach the new addition. Think about whether you should correct any negative behaviors they may have.