What desirable behaviors did your dog pick up naturally?

Question

I constantly marvel at my dogs' abilities to intellectually adapt to my demands. There are so many subtle behaviors that they've picked up naturally, in the absence of intentional training.

Some of the things my dogs have started to do naturally, that make them just that much more of a pleasure to live with are...

(Sydney- Siberian Husky) She is the most intuitive dog I ever will meet in my entire life. She's like the Husky incarnation of Lassie. If I'm ever upset and start to cry, she will comfort me to no end. She gives me her paw, licks me and will cuddle with me until I'm happy again.

She knows when she's in the way. If I'm trying to get somewhere and she's standing there, I can tell her "move" and she gets completely out of the way.

She takes treats as gently as a butterfly. I simply tell her "easy" and she takes the greatest care in placing it in her mouth.

More on the way...

Answer 1

I have two beagle mixes, so, they naturally want to smell EVERYTHING on walks. With my one year old mix, I am able to just say, "Let's go" and she will immediately move on. I didn't specifically train her to do this, she just does... I'm surprised and happy that she does because many beagles ears turn off when they catch a scent. Additionally, like your Louie, she knows "this way". She doesn't even need to turn to see where I am going, she just turns in the way of my voice.

Answer 2

My Tankman (my avatar) has never been to a class. The first time I ever put a leash on him, he heeled perfectly. He is just a natural on leash. It's funny because he's a TANK around the house. He loves to run through your legs and stop to have his butt scratched. Plus he loves to bowl over the other labs if he can.



However, you put a leash on him and he is a perfect gentleman. He heels, sits, and has never once pulled on his leash. He acts like a dog that has spent YEARS in class and tons of time practicing but this is just how he is.



None of my other dogs - including the others that have had lots of "real" training in classes with professionals and lots of practice walk as nicely as he does.



He makes me very proud of him when we are out and about.



The flip side is I want to strangle the other "trained" ones. =)

Answer 3

I have four dogs that are amazing. I jokingly say they monitor their own behavior very well. Some dogs are naturally easy to live with, and mild mannered. These dogs take very little to train and establish behaviors. Often times if one of them is doing something I dislike it takes a simple clearing of my throat to make the behavior stop. I do realize I've created these dogs. They have picked up on subtle cues that I have inadvertently given them to either mark, or reinforce behaviors. Behaviors that get reinforced are made stronger. I think you should take much more credit for creating these behaviors that you love so much about your dogs. In day to day life, I find myself thanking the dogs for being so good. Rarely do I remember to give myself a pat on the back for shaping just about every last little thing they do. I got each of my dogs knowing they hadn't read a manual. People who know and get dogs tend to do things without realizing it. I know I do things with mine that people will on occasion point out. I don't even realize I'm doing them. It's great living with well mannered dogs. But take credit for what you have created.

Answer 4

Here's a funny one. I recently adopted two maltese x dogs (mutts). I've always had big breeds and loved them (rotti cross, german shep cross etc). We had an alarm go off at work and I had to go in and check it. Being a small female I didn't feel all that safe. Looked down at these ridiculous frou-frou dogs and thought "oh well, what the hell" and took the bigger one with me. Now we'd only had the dogs about a month. When I got there I looked at Rocky (I didn't name him, believe me!) and said "Have you got my back, buddy?". He squared up, stuck his chest out and walked like a guard dog. He searched the rooms and kept checking on me. It was hilarious and I was very proud of him :)



The other things they have picked up are to pee on newspaper I've left in the bathroom if they can't get outside (and I didn't train them to do that), to keep out of my 3 year old son's way (!), to guard our car if they are in it and we aren't (we're talking 5 minutes, windows partly opened, cool day) and to snuggle up just when I feel like I need a cuddle :) One of them even brings me a present every time he comes inside - a leaf, a toy, dog bowl, rock! Aren't dogs amazing :)

Answer 5

My West Highland terriers, Mac and Skye, are so funny. From when they were little pups they would run and fetch my walking boots from the hallway as soon as I thought to myself that we may go out for a walk.Even if there were several pairs of shoes, they always picked the right pair and I never trained them to do it. They really make me smile !



best wishes, AMANDA, BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND,

Answer 6

Eye contact, My dog is always looking into my eyes. Ive even started communicating to him this way and it works, he gets it!!! I take him to the beach alot and he can run along with no lead ( we are lucky here in Oz! ), he looks up at me alot to see which way we are going, he looks at me to see if hes allowed to run up and say hi to another dog, if I give him an intense stare it means no! I feel more connected to him than any other dog Ive had. He totally reads me. Sounds strange but he taught me eye contact!! Staffys are meant to have dark eyes in their standard and his were dark as a pup but theyve turned an amazing amber colour and everyone comments on them. I also get feelings and impressions off him also. He has been so easy to train, when I hear of other peoples puppy stories I wonder how I got so lucky. Never dug holes, never barked, super chilled little dude. My breeder said she bred for temperment and I now know what she means. He only needs to be told twice and he knows! This sounds weird also but hes brought comedy into my life, he knows he can make people laugh, and anyone whos owned a staffy will comment on their personality. He knew I needed to loosen up! He'll lie on his back, stretch out and "talk". Just to entertain himself cause he likes doing it and just makes everyone smile. And I love how he converts everyone that doesnt like the stafford into his biggest fans. We've nicknamed him the bearer of greetings cause greets all our guests as really theyve come to see him. Really nice question you asked, sometimes it can get all too serious on this site!



ADD ON;

On a more spiritual level, I never knew what I wanted to do with my life until he came into it. As he had skin allergies as a pup due to an allergic reaction to his vaccines, I was led on a path of researching canine nutrition, alternative therapies etc. I also met an amazing vet/nutritionist and was so inspired by my positive results Ive enrolled to study canine natropathy/nutrition for three years. For the first time in my life Ive found my calling and Im 35! Hes a little healer and I think our animals are here with us for a reason, but especially our canine companions. They are closer to us than people give them credit for. Google Amanda De Warren and read her testimonies in the dog section on her official website. But I think everyone here knows what Im on about.

Answer 7

Protection

Answer 8

The cutest thing is when I am late for our walk, he will bring me my gloves and 1 boot then he goes to the front door closet, if it's open he will pull on my coat till it falls down and if the door is closed he will whine and try to open it. He's 9 m/o.

He brings me my gloves and boot but I can't get him to bring me back a ball...:)