Social learning: observation and rank Dog intelligence

an english springer spaniel taking cues master.

dogs capable of learning through simple reinforcement (e.g., classical or operant conditioning), learn watching humans , other dogs.

one study investigated whether dogs engaged in partnered play adjust behavior attention-state of partner. experimenters observed play signals sent when dog holding attention of partner. if partner distracted, dog instead engaged in attention-getting behavior before sending play signal.

puppies learn behaviors following examples set experienced dogs. form of intelligence not particular tasks dogs have been bred perform, can generalized various abstract problems. example, dachshund puppies set problem of pulling cart tugging on attached piece of ribbon in order reward inside cart. puppies watched experienced dog perform task learned task fifteen times faster left solve problem on own.

the social rank of dogs affects performance in social learning situations. in social groups clear hierarchy, dominant individuals more influential demonstrators , knowledge transfer tends unidirectional, higher rank lower. in problem-solving experiment, dominant dogs performed better subordinates when observed human demonstrator s actions, finding reflects dominance of human in dog-human groups. subordinate dogs learn best dominant dog adjacent in hierarchy.