Puppy Copying Behaviour

[Alfie02]

Hi all

This is thread is just purely out of intrest and stems from something I read on the net.

So I read that a new puppy will copy an older dog and pick up on their good traits and also their bad traits. Does this apply all the time? A specific example that I would like to know about is, if you have an older dog who is dog agressive to new unknown dogs, will a puppy pick up on this and also become dog aggressive to new unknown dogs?

If the new puppy is extensively socialised with people and dogs its whole life from the get go, will it still become DA to unknown dogs because the older dog is and it is copying behaviour?

Will the pups individual nature play a role and it will not copy the older dog?

I have noticed a few housholds that have dogs where one of them is DA and one isnt, and then other houses they both are DA.....

I just think this is interesting

[poodlefan]

I have noticed a few housholds that have dogs where one of them is DA and one isnt, and then other houses they both are DA.....

I just think this is interesting

I think sometimes it has as much to do with what the owners are teaching (consciously or not) the dog as what it learns from another dog in the house.

I also know folk with more than one DA dog (and not in breeds associated with it). Repetition of failure to effectively socialise, failure to provide boundaries , failure to acknowledge emerging issues AND learned responses from observing the other dog all seem to play a part.

Edited November 18, 2010 by poodlefan

[sas]

I don't think it helps the puppy grow up to develop good social habbits if it sees dogs its bonded with be aggressive for no reason.

Will it copy - that would depend on a whole host of variables....maybe, maybe not.

I would not take the pup out with the aggressive dog to be on the safe side.

Aggression so often occurs from fear not neccessarily because the owner has not correctly socialised or diciplined the pup when appropriate, however managing fear responses is a whole different story.

Edited November 18, 2010 by sas

[Guest RANDCMOORE31]

How should one manage a fear response? - I have a cav. who is fear aggressive - and no matter what I have tried I can't break her of the habit of being terrified of other dogs (she lives with 3 others). Anytime she sees another dog she barks and barks - but if it gets anywhere near her - she will run squealing and either hide behind my legs or want me to pick her up. This has, in fact rubbed off on two of my other dogs - they now all commence barking as soon as they spot another dog out on the street. It is very embarrassing - and I would love to be able to resolve the issue.

[W Sibs]

Yes, I believe that puppy do copy other dogs behaviour. I especially see it with my 2.

Charlie has really helped me raise and train Emmy. And, I take full advantage of it. She watches Charlie for guidance and notice that if he does certain things then he gets rewarded, so she will do what he does. This has helped me teaching her how to "drop" and to "stand".

Charlie is always great meeting strangers and other dogs so I use that to help Emmy, who's use to be, wary of them. I let Charlie go ahead and meet the people and dogs first, and watch Emmy watching. Then she will go over and say hello when people starting patting Charlie, or the dog is relax with Charlie. That helps her. I think she thinks 'oh, charlie is ok.. then i guess it's ok for me to say hello too. I might get some cuddles and pat too!"

She has picked up some of his bad habits too... like bringing leaves, sticks and weed into the house. Walking around the house whinging because she doesn't know where to hide her treat.

If I had a DA dog, then I wouldn't be getting another puppy/dog till I feel very confident that I have my DA under control.

Saying that, each dog is different and you can never really raise the dog the same way. Some dogs needs a firmer hand then other dogs. Both of my 2 have their very own strong personalities too and both are trained in different styles. They have their own quirks and unique personalities.

Edited November 18, 2010 by CW EW

[halfthewords]

The 4 dogs we got after our first Bichon girl all copied her as pups to use the doggie door, none of them ever had accidents inside. Two of them are male rescue dogs who mark everywhere outside but wouldn't dream of doing it indoors. I believe this is one of their learned behaviours from each other, on top of dog-to-dog interaction - one is super tolerant and a fair alpha male, the other male follows his lead. He used to be slightly DA to outside dogs.