How Dogs Learn from Other Dogs

According to psychologist Stanley Coren dogs can learn new behaviors by watching other dogs.

As a general rule dogs like the company of other dogs. The company of other dogs helps to keep them active and social as well as mentally stimulated. Bello is an 7 year old German Shepherd who can often be found with the founder of our rescue helping to teach the incoming rescue dogs pack manners as well as leading the way in basic obedience, agility work, search work and play. Other younger dogs can often learn quickly by watching the older dogs perform tasks, commands or play.

a puppy will learn from a mature dog that it is normal to urinate in the garden, rather than in the house. An owner will certainly have to take a proactive approach to house-training – they cannot assume that a puppy will always follow the adult dog’s lead – but it’s likely that the former will tag along with the latter outside and start to urinate in the same area.

Of course, this natural tendency may come with a downside; a dog can also serve to model undesirable behaviors, such as jumping up on furniture. If you are addressing problematic behavior in a dog that lives with other dogs, it is prudent to make sure you train both animals.