Dogs learning by copying

[Romy]

Something happened today to make me question this more heavily.

As some of you know, I recently began clicker training Charlie. Conditioning really, to get him to stop bouncing uncontrollably and be more focused.

Anyway, I was working with him a little while ago outside. Whenever I walk up to the gate he jumps uncontrollably and smears mud on everything. So, I was clicking for him having four feet on the ground, standing calmly, sitting. He started doing really good.

Strider was in the smaller fenced section of paddock. He saw me working with Charlie, feeding him treats, and started going ballistic. He stared intently for several minutes, then jumped the fence into Charlie's half and ran up to the gate where we were working. He then proceeded to run through the whole string of behaviors I had been rewarding Charlie for doing. :rofl1: So I had to give him treats.

Now, the other odd thing is I never worked with Strider using a clicker. He's never had one "charged up" or anything. But, since watching that session with Charlie he's been acting completely conditioned to a clicker. Did he just figure out from watching that click = treat?

What behaviors have your dogs learned by copying/observation?

 

[jesirose]

I've occasionally started working with a dog and forgot to "charge" the clicker, and they didn't seem to suffer for it. The first thing I teach them is Watch me and they seem to pick up on the concept from that one thing. I've also skipped straight to sit and they get it.

To answer the actual question, Sadie and Reed seem to pick up on some behaviors, like if it's something they already know, and Reed does it and I give him a treat, Sadie will run over and do it, even if I never gave a cue.

Sadie learns best by delayed learning. I'll teach her something, get annoyed that she doesn't get it, and forget about it for a week. Then try again and she has it perfect.

 

[lizzybeth727]

I've occasionally started working with a dog and forgot to "charge" the clicker, and they didn't seem to suffer for it. The first thing I teach them is Watch me and they seem to pick up on the concept from that one thing. I've also skipped straight to sit and they get it.

Yep. I actually don't charge the clicker anymore for most dogs (I would do it if they were afraid of the noise, were afraid to take treats from me, or some special instance like that). I start out teaching hand touch and eye contact, and they seem to pick up on it pretty quick.

Sadie learns best by delayed learning. I'll teach her something, get annoyed that she doesn't get it, and forget about it for a week. Then try again and she has it perfect.

LOL, I LOVE when this works! I have the WORST training sessions on Fridays, and then on Monday the dogs are perfect.

 

[Criosphynx]

Kiwi seems to learn this way, so I don't discount it completely...that said, my others seem completely unable to learn through observation.


I never charge the clicker.

 

[ds5160]

Sadie learns best by delayed learning. I'll teach her something, get annoyed that she doesn't get it, and forget about it for a week. Then try again and she has it perfect.

That's how I learn. Try something, fail spectacularly, and then do it well the next day when I have had time to process what the muscles need to do and rest up.

I was clicker training our new dog when we found out the older dog that we have had three years had been clicker trained. I did the click, and the older dog started searching for the treat. The new dog had no clue what I was doing, and what the older dog was doing.

 

[smkie]

TAtie wasn't the sharpest pencil in the box but you could never fault her for not having heart. SHe would hear ssss and she would sit shake and speak all at the same time. She could never wait to hear what it really was. SHe learned all three from her Bin.

 

[Dreeza]

well...I'd say they can!

I was using my iTouch as a clicker (yes, there is an app for that...lol)...I set it on the floor & was click it with my foot, cause I needed my hands to get him in the right position/hold the treat...

Anyways, I got up to go get some more treats, leaving the clicker on the floor...Oakley walked up to it, looked at it for 1/2 a second, then used his paw to click himself Then he sat & looked at me wagging his tail like, "ooh, where is my treat"!!????

 

[Saeleofu]

I have seen dogs seemingly learn form eachother. AJ learned a lot from Max.

Oneo f my friends has 3 GSDs, the oldest one is her service dog. He's definitely a thinking, and the other two not so much (they're smart, but they are more "hands on" learners. Her oldest dog will watch when she's working with the other two, and by the time she gets to him, he'll do the behavior correctly on the first try or two.

 

[Izzy's Valkyrie]

My dad's dog Mojo learned to spin when he was excited for food/going out from watching his sister do it.

 

[MPP]

Anyways, I got up to go get some more treats, leaving the clicker on the floor...Oakley walked up to it, looked at it for 1/2 a second, then used his paw to click himself Then he sat & looked at me wagging his tail like, "ooh, where is my treat"!!????

Now that is TOO funny! Yes, I think you could say he learned by copying! :rofl1: