Do dogs copy behaviour from each other?

[FestiveSpirit]

I've had Islay since April last year (how time flies!) and Flick since December, and they have always been like chalk and cheese. Islay is what I would call a typical greyhound bitch - almost feline, she takes fuss on her terms but does not seek it out, and can be quite aloof and stand offish. Flick is (over!) friendly, very cuddly, and very affectionate.

But I have noticed that Islay is getting more and more affectionate recently? We have developed a nightly routine now whereby I sit in the middle of the 3-seat sofa, and have a dog either side of me, both are currently sleeping with their heads on my shoulders like parrots

So is Islay copying Flick's behaviour? I havent ever had two bitches together before, and I do notice they vie for my attention all the time, compete for the space nearest me on the bed at night etc etc - I'm definitely going for a dog next time

 

[GinaB]

We never had to housetrain Tina, she just copied Windsor

Same with teaching her how to work correctly. She constantly watched Windsor and copied whatever he did.

Although Windsor was quite a standoffish dog, the only person he was truly affectionate with was M. Tina is very affectionate, especially towards me. Although Tina is wary of strangers.

The Midget is a whole new ball game! She wants to be friends with everyone and is desperate to please. A real affectionate dog and loves attention.

 

[CAYLA]

Yep Imo it's common for dogs to copy other dog behaviour.............my whippet demonstrates this nicely when he taught the hairy lurcher how to bench surf

Oh and he copied him in learing how to clear a 8ft fence

 

[CorvusCorax]

They certainly do. Also works for bad behaviour too

 

[camilla4]

[ QUOTE ]
They certainly do. Also works for bad behaviour too

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, it seems to be more common for bad behaviour than good - so much more fun!!

 

[FestiveSpirit]

[ QUOTE ]
They certainly do. Also works for bad behaviour too

[/ QUOTE ]

Mine of course dont exhibit bad behaviour

Much

 

[PucciNPoni]

My new poodle has started acting like my Border Terrier, right down the evisceration of his stuffed toys, growling and shaking the toys like a terrier til they're good and dead...looks really weird when a poodle does it!!!!

 

[CorvusCorax]

My pals have a brother and sister GSD who they are both trying to train for protection work, and the female, who is very delicate and feminine, wouldn't 'speak' or bark whenever the 'criminal' was coming up to her.

Owner started tying her to a post in their yard and trying to entice her with a rag, waving it just out of her reach, so eventually she started barking and he was well pleased, gave her loads of fuss etc.

Put her back in beside her brother as normal and now notices that now, a week later, he has started barking in a very high-pitched, girly fashion, just like his sister

 

[RobinHood]

Yes mine definitely copy each other. My black lab (from very good working lines) shakes and kills toys like a terrier

and my 6 month old lurcher copies the older one when they're rabbiting, although I'm not convinced he knows what they're looking for!

 

[TarrSteps]

No question. Our younger one was fostered with Labradors and came with very "Lab-ish" behaviours. The longer she lives with our older pointy dog, the more pointy she gets herself. One bonus has been that he doesn't bark at all and she has become a lot quieter.