Latest Pet Forum Topics:

  • Saving Cats (1 post)
  • Saving Cats (1 post)
  • Rabbit (1 post)
  • i adopted a a 10 month old lab he has really bad separtion anxiety? (6 posts)
  • what breed is this? (13 posts)
  • How do i tie the latigo on a bareback pad? (4 posts)
  • Gerbil help? (5 posts)
  • What are the scientific names for ace and rhompn (sp?)? (4 posts)
  • What do you think of my hamster video???? (10 posts)
  • What is a Briard bred to do? (8 posts)
  • do you have 2 wear a helmet all the time? (26 posts)
  • Going Barefoot/Shoe Alternative? (14 posts)
  • ok this is a weird question but...? (8 posts)
  • Horse struck by lightening!? (23 posts)
  • Are different colour rats more energetic than others? (9 posts)
    		•

     

    Dogs Do Not Learn By Observation And Imitation

    Your dog's emotions are primarily activated by his senses, particularly vision, as that sense best serves the active reflexes of the prey instinct, such as chasing, striking, biting, and fighting. When dog A is watching dog B, dog B influences what dog A is going to learn only through the effect of energizing him. By moving animatedly, dog B is exuding his "preylike" essence, thereby arousing the observing dog into a similar mood of drive.

    The more frenzied the first dog acts, the more excited the second one will grow. Emotional energy is being directly transmitted from one to the other; nothing of a mental nature is being communicated. Since all dogs carry the primal prey instinct as the basic software for their behavior, both dogs once put into the same emotional state of drive are likely to end up acting with roughly the same reflexes.

    It may appear that the observing dog noted the first dog's behavior and then imitated him, but that is not what happened. If high drive is being transmitted, high drive will be received, and the two dogs will act in unison within the prey instinct. The same goes for medium and low drive as well. Therefore, the two dogs inevitably will operate on parallel wavelengths even though neither of them is aware of the other's point of view.

    This is not in any way a cognitive capability; it is simply a "mirror effect" of the prey instinct that causes synchronization within the group. There will, however, remain variations between the two dogs' behavior based on temperamental differences, which allows for specialization if they have to work as a group.

    Another example frequently cited to demonstrate learning by observation or imitation are those occasions when a young dog seemingly learns to bark at strangers by watching an older dog. In such cases, the knock on the door unnerves the older dog, and his actions of barking or growling similarly unnerve the younger dog so that they are now both in the same mood.

    Defensive responses to stress are again part of the universal software of the prey instinct and so here, too, the younger dog appears to be learning by observation and imitation, when in fact, he is merely conforming to the master code operating within his temperament. He has not learned from the older dog's experience; he has simply learned from his own experience.

    Sponsored Ads:

    Related Articles:

    Dogs / Dog Training / Dog Training Basics - Training The New Puppy
    Dogs / Dog Behaviour / The Danger Of A Jealous Dog
    Dogs / Dog Training / Dog Training For Desired Behaviors
    Cat Training / Cat Training With A Clicker
    Dogs / Dog Nutrition / Nutritional Needs For Different Dog-Types
    Dogs / Dalmatian Dogs / Physical Traits Of A Standard Dalmatian
    Pet Food / List Of Recalled Pet Food Keeps Pets Safe And Pet Owners Happy
    Dogs / Hound Dogs
    Dogs / Dog Toys / You Can Never Be Too Safe: 7 More Ways To Help "Pet-Proof" Your House
    Dogs / Dog Behaviour / Helping A Battered Dog Gain Confidence By Using Nonphysical Methods
    Dogs / Did You Know That Your Dog Would Absolutely Love A Massage?
    Dogs / Dalmatian Dogs / Dalmatian History
    Dogs / Dog Psychology / Understanding Your Dog'S Hearing
    Dog Breeds / Overview Of A Bull Dog
    Dogs / Dog Diseases / Treating Your Dog'S Constipation

    Also In This Category:

    Dogs / Dog Training
    - Using A Drop Line And A Short Line In Off-Leash Training
    - Destructive Behavior
    - Training Your Dog The Proper Table Etiquette
    - Training Your Dog Not To Fear Loud Noises
    - Training Your Dog With A Training Collar And Leash
    - Dog Training - Dealing With Separation Anxiety
    - How To Train Your Dog To "Drop On Recall"
    - Dog Training Issues - Refusing To Come When Called
    - Teaching Your Dog The "Enough" Command
    - How To Teach Your Dog To "Go Lie Down"
    - Eliminating Problem Dog Behaviors - Jumping And Roaming
    - Training The Dog To Come When It Is Called
    - Crate Training For Dogs And Puppies
    - Tips For House Training Your New Puppy
    - Words That Your Dog Should Know (Part 3)

    Currently Online :

    3 member(s), 9 guest(s):
    pandatome, ReadyToLaunch, Tuskey, Crawler.de, Google, MSN.com, Cobion.com, Slurp

    Search :

    No comments yet
    prey environment police scent alternative order eggs urinary tiny dishes businesses syringe shown measurement stool locate champions normal bedding solving processed ability reinforce exercise feed manufacturers blindness puppies diabetes loss whipworm house hyperkinetic post subordinate lines methods golden bulls read losing customize packaging hound shallow frames liver¡¯s bladder ally frise bathroom