What has your dog learned that you have not specifically taught him/her?

[BG and Gavin]

Several weeks ago Karen posted the following article in the training group:  http://thebark.com/content/home-schooling-dogs-could-be-catching and I thought it would make a good front page discussion.  The article is about intuitive learning.  In short, how dogs follow our example or figure out our routine/wants/needs and adapt their behaviour accordingly.

I was reminded of it yesterday:

During cottage season, Gavin gets packed into the car with the rest of our gear and goes for a 3.5 hour drive North.  Gavin has learned to associate his car harness with this trip.  Of course not every trip is 3.5 hours, but it seems Gavin prepares himself just in case.  When I go outside with the harness in my hand, Gavin runs a few quick laps around the backyard, checks his squirrel spots, has a good long pee, then approaches me to get harnessed up.  

So what has your dog learned that you have not specifically taught him/her?

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

Our George is a tattle-tail. One of our friends has been staying with us and has a 6 year old german shepherd. His name is Murphy and he's not allowed in our room and he's not supposed to go in the kitchen. I suppose George has heard us correct him one too many times. She will bark at him when he's doing naughty things like laying in our room, or trying to counter surf, or eating her food. I'll hear her repeatedly barking, walk from whatever other room I'm in to see what her problem is (she's not really a barker otherwise) and she's facing him barking at him. Telling him what to do I suppose. Once I ask him to get out of the room, or make him stop doing whatever naughty thing he was doing, she goes about her business as usual. I don't have kids, but I feel like I do sometimes. ;)

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

This is so funny-George the tattle-tail!!

[Christy&Riley]

That's amazing!

[BG and Gavin]

George it the house cop lol.

[Julie and Max]

Abigail George being a tattle tail really made me laugh

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

George is about 5 years old in dog years...we all know how much that age (for humans) likes to tattle or tell you anything to get your attention. So that seems about right. ;)

[Sue & Lily Grace]

Lily Grace has an internal clock that says 10:30 is time to go to the park to play ball. She hangs the ball from her eye tooth and stands at the door and stares at me. She can be sound asleep but at 10:30 she and her ball are waiting at the door.

[BG and Gavin]

I will bet you are very cute with you ball Lily!

[Sally S Miles]

This is a fun topic - glad that I'm not the only one using different phrases and such.

First lesson came when Journey figured out that riding in the car meant going to the park - end of whining, period. She hasn't whined in the car since, and we have taken her on some doozy trips.   Little guy took longer, but similar - it means he gets to get out and sniff new stuff and go for a walk, now only the stereo sings.

Both of ours have a crazy internal clock, she is not particularly heavy on it, but little guy has a built in alarm. Making coffee in the morning - it's after I've had mine and make fresh for hubby - as soon as I pour that cup then the 'yippeee it's time for breakfast' dance begins. 

I use the phrase 'Excuse me?" if one goofs up - it works and mostly it's tone, but beat the heck out of alternatives most of the time. I do use the word No - but excuse me works well as a fast correction. Elmer is very good about me explaining to him that I don't like something, I don't know - a tone perhaps?  If I say to him that I don't like it if he does the whatever, he stops and that's it.  He is super sensitive.

Pants - when DH puts on his jeans and shoes it means go for a walk - or maybe not, but it sure makes the dogs happy.

They have individual cues, one seems to be far more in tune than the other - but it works here.  Teaching Elmer 'down' was a breeze, but when I accidentally dredged up an old phrase from way back when, it got very fast. All I say is 'four down' and he happily takes all four down to the ground.

The UPS man brings goodies and all hands must be on deck upon arrival - Journey alerts when he turns into our neighborhood, and it's only for the UPS truck. Fed X has quieter trucks.

Meanwhile the little one is so gung ho on bedtime every night that he runs to his crate, as soon as the evening cup of tea has been poured he's off the the bedroom. 

Meanwhile I had to learn with Elmer that he is good about the crate, but if I need to go our for a while he has to be put in - wait a few, then out for potty, then back to crate. Otherwise he gets a bit wound up, this way we both know he is empty. Guess he trained me there.

Guarantee that the span late afternoon always gets me very well behaved dogs - but at four thirty they are in the kitchen ready for food.  Daylight savings time sure messes that one up.

[BG and Gavin]

Love these stories Sally.  Funny how they know the difference between UPS and Fed-ex lol.

[F, Calla & Luca]

My two run to the corner of the yard when they hear the mail truck because they know it may mean a treat. Lately we have been having substitute mail people and they are very disappointed.

[jenn D]

When brisby meets people he gets way too excited. To help calm himself down he runs to get a toy or treat to put in his mouth when greeting someone. And he isn't trying to give it to them he honestly seems to have an oral fixation that helps him settle.