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?

[Pat and Traveler]

When my daughter's dog is visiting, sometimes he is inside while Trav is outside.  Grendel has learned to 'fetch a person' when Trav appears at the patio door.  He gets excited if Trav has to wait more than a few seconds at the door, first pacing back and forth between the door and a person, then whining and finally barking and racing back and forth.  It's really cute.  "Hey!!  My bro wants to come in!"

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Pat, Tara does this same thing when our cat is at the door wanting inside. There is NO peace in the household until someone goes and lets the cat in! 

[Pat and Traveler]

They are so cute when they do this!  Good Tara--keep the pack together.  :)

[BG and Gavin]

Love these inclusive dogs.  No dog (or cat) left behind!

[Julie and Max]

I usually walk Max at two in the afternoon everyday. If two rolls around and we aren't going out the door Max starts bringing me shoes (not sure if this is a good thing lol) The other day I didn't decide to go until three and I had 9 shoes piled at my feet. I have also noticed other small things that I haven't taught him, like he seems to be very aware of me and how I am feeling, if I am not feeling very good, he just lays with me, and if I am feeling good he is more playful and wanting me to play with him.

[BG and Gavin]

This is funny Julie.  Nine shoes!  That Max is a character.

[Judi Kilpatrick]

How funny, proves what we always believe about our dogs, they are smart cookies!!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Love the 9 shoe story, Julie!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

When Tara came home at 8 weeks it was the middle of winter. Whenever we took her outside we would put on a coat. Soon, when she needed to go outside she would go to the coat rack and touch our coats with her nose.  Now we have her leashes hanging near the door and if she needs to go outside she touches her leashes with her nose. I suppose if we had poochie bells hanging there she would teach herself to ring them. :)

[BG and Gavin]

We have always known that Tara is a jeanus ;P

[Lynda Kamrath]

Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me.  Hondo knew this perfectly and you would never trick this dog (more than once anyway).

[BG and Gavin]

It is all the pancake hunting that kept Hondo (and the rest of your pack) sharp ;)