{"id":3093,"date":"2013-06-07T15:29:57","date_gmt":"2013-06-07T04:59:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/leemakennels.com\/blog\/?p=3093"},"modified":"2021-08-02T17:40:40","modified_gmt":"2021-08-02T07:10:40","slug":"the-range-of-imitation-in-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/leemakennels.com\/blog\/dog-behaviour\/the-range-of-imitation-in-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"The Range of Imitation in Dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"float: left; padding: 5px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.researchblogging.org\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0;\" alt=\"ResearchBlogging.org\" src=\"http:\/\/www.researchblogging.org\/public\/citation_icons\/rb2_large_gray.png\" \/><\/a><\/span>This is a brief review of the extensive work by German researcher <a href=\"http:\/\/de.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Friederike_Range\">Friederike Range<\/a>, looking at\u00a0imitation or modelling behaviour\u00a0in dogs. Previously, I posted <a href=\"http:\/\/leemakennels.com\/blog\/dog-behaviour\/dogs-learning-through-modelling\/\">anecdotal evidence on modelling in dogs<\/a> (which many people shared their experiences on). This post is more sciencey!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-3098\" alt=\"Border terrier and young woman running in large paddock with bushes behind them.\" src=\"http:\/\/leemakennels.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/P9180248.jpg\" width=\"664\" height=\"497\" srcset=\"http:\/\/leemakennels.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/P9180248.jpg 3072w, http:\/\/leemakennels.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/P9180248-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/leemakennels.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/P9180248-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 664px) 100vw, 664px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Dogs can imitate the behaviour of both dogs and people. Imitation success depends on a range of factors, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The task at hand, including its complexity, has a role in imitation.<\/li>\n<li>If a human is modelling the behaviour, if they are talking, this can either help or hinder the dog&#8217;s modelling, depending on the task. Eye contact can also help (or hinder) a dog in a task. It can help, as it may illustrate to the dogs bits that it should pay particular attention to. However, it make hinder as it may distract the dog from the task at hand.<\/li>\n<li>Training plays a role. Dogs that are &#8216;better trained&#8217; are better at making deduction on behaviour from witnessing a model.<\/li>\n<li>The dog&#8217;s individual personality.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Interestingly, dogs don&#8217;t &#8216;blindly model&#8217; behaviour of other dogs. They will try to be more efficient, they will learn from the other model&#8217;s mistakes, and make adjustments based on particular circumstances. For example, if a dog witnesses the model dog carrying a ball and pushing a lever with its foot, the dog will imitate by pushing the lever with its mouth. The dog seems to realise the model dog used its foot because its mouth was occupied. However, if the model dog pushed the lever with its foot without anything in his mouth, the dog will imitate the foot-push. (Almost, the dog imitates\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dancingdogs.co.nz\/2012\/02\/superstitious-behaviour-response\/\">superstitious\u00a0behaviours<\/a>.)<\/p>\n<p>Fascinatingly, several dogs have been trained to imitate behaviour. \u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.univie.ac.at\/edici\/workpackages-1-1-5.php\">A dog called Joy was trained with the cue &#8216;Do it!&#8217;<\/a>. \u00a0The experimenter would do one of eight behaviours, say &#8216;do it&#8217;, and Joy would then do the behaviour just demonstrated. After several weeks, they then asked Joy to &#8216;do&#8217; a behaviour that the experimenter had never demonstrated behaviour. Joy did it. Joy understood the concept of &#8216;do what I do&#8217;. You can see more <a href=\"http:\/\/www.apprendimentosociale.it\/en\/my-research\/deferred-imitation-dogs-memory-of-action\/\">videos of dogs &#8216;doing it&#8217;<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The conclusions are: Yes, of course dogs model the behaviour of people and dogs. Indeed, they can be trained to do so. There is still a lot of research going on about all the facets of imitation, and it&#8217;s all truly fascinating. Definitely a space to watch.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>Links of Interest<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patriciamcconnell.com\/theotherendoftheleash\/do-dogs-imitate-and-see-you-in-milwaukee\">Do dogs imitate?<\/a>\u00a0by Patricia McConnell.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.newscientist.com\/article\/dn11720-dogs-show-humanlike-learning-ability.html\">Dogs show human-like learning ability<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/releases\/2009\/02\/090217141540.htm#.UMzQZD2aRm8.twitter\">If you&#8217;re aggressive, your dog probably will be to<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/news.discovery.com\/animals\/pets-dogs-imitate-people.htm\">Dogs automatically imitate people<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>References<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Huber, L, Range, F, Viranyi, Z &amp; Voelkl, B 2008, &#8216;The evolution of imitation: Old wine in new bottles?&#8217; (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.univie.ac.at\/edici\/EDICI_Programme_2.pdf\">PDF<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"Z3988\" title=\"ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&amp;rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&amp;rft.jtitle=Applied+Animal+Behaviour+Science&amp;rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1016%2Fj.applanim.2009.05.012&amp;rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&amp;rft.atitle=The+effect+of+ostensive+cues+on+dogs%E2%80%99+performance+in+a+manipulative+social+learning+task&amp;rft.issn=01681591&amp;rft.date=2009&amp;rft.volume=120&amp;rft.issue=3-4&amp;rft.spage=170&amp;rft.epage=178&amp;rft.artnum=http%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0168159109001865&amp;rft.au=Range%2C+F.&amp;rft.au=Heucke%2C+S.&amp;rft.au=Gruber%2C+C.&amp;rft.au=Konz%2C+A.&amp;rft.au=Huber%2C+L.&amp;rft.au=Vir%C3%A1nyi%2C+Z.&amp;rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Biology%2CPsychology\">Range, F., Heucke, S., Gruber, C., Konz, A., Huber, L., &amp; Vir\u00e1nyi, Z. (2009). The effect of ostensive cues on dogs\u2019 performance in a manipulative social learning task <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 120<\/span> (3-4), 170-178 DOI: <a href=\"http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1016\/j.applanim.2009.05.012\" rev=\"review\">10.1016\/j.applanim.2009.05.012<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"Z3988\" title=\"ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&amp;rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&amp;rft.jtitle=Journal+of+Veterinary+Behavior%3A+Clinical+Applications+and+Research&amp;rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1016%2Fj.jveb.2009.05.007&amp;rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&amp;rft.atitle=Different+aspects+of+social+learning+in+dogs&amp;rft.issn=15587878&amp;rft.date=2009&amp;rft.volume=4&amp;rft.issue=6&amp;rft.spage=244&amp;rft.epage=&amp;rft.artnum=http%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS1558787809000914&amp;rft.au=Range%2C+F.&amp;rft.au=Viranyi%2C+Z.&amp;rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Biology%2CPsychology\">Range, F., &amp; Viranyi, Z. (2009). Different aspects of social learning in dogs <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 4<\/span> (6) DOI: <a href=\"http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jveb.2009.05.007\" rev=\"review\">10.1016\/j.jveb.2009.05.007<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"Z3988\" title=\"ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&amp;rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&amp;rft.jtitle=Current+Biology&amp;rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1016%2Fj.cub.2007.04.026&amp;rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&amp;rft.atitle=Selective+Imitation+in+Domestic+Dogs&amp;rft.issn=09609822&amp;rft.date=2007&amp;rft.volume=17&amp;rft.issue=10&amp;rft.spage=868&amp;rft.epage=872&amp;rft.artnum=http%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0960982207012675&amp;rft.au=Range%2C+F.&amp;rft.au=Viranyi%2C+Z.&amp;rft.au=Huber%2C+L.&amp;rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Biology%2CPsychology\">Range, F., Viranyi, Z., &amp; Huber, L. (2007). Selective Imitation in Domestic Dogs <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Current Biology, 17<\/span> (10), 868-872 DOI: <a href=\"http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1016\/j.cub.2007.04.026\" rev=\"review\">10.1016\/j.cub.2007.04.026<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Szucsich, A, Range, F, Miklosi, A, Huber, L 2008, &#8216;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.univie.ac.at\/edici\/workpackages-1-1-5.php\">Imitative ability of dogs<\/a>&#8216;.<\/p>\n<p>Tiefenthaler, M, Range, F, &amp; Huber, L 2008, &#8216;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.univie.ac.at\/edici\/workpackages-1-1-9.php\">Personality in dogs and its influence on social learning behaviour<\/a>&#8216;.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"Z3988\" title=\"ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&amp;rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&amp;rft.jtitle=Journal+of+Veterinary+Behavior%3A+Clinical+Applications+and+Research&amp;rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1016%2Fj.jveb.2008.10.023&amp;rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fresearchblogging.org&amp;rft.atitle=How+does+ostensive+communication+influence+social+learning+in+dogs%3F&amp;rft.issn=15587878&amp;rft.date=2009&amp;rft.volume=4&amp;rft.issue=2&amp;rft.spage=47&amp;rft.epage=&amp;rft.artnum=http%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS1558787808002499&amp;rft.au=Vir%C3%A1nyi%2C+Z.&amp;rft.au=Range%2C+F.&amp;rfe_dat=bpr3.included=1;bpr3.tags=Biology%2CPsychology\">Vir\u00e1nyi, Z., &amp; Range, F. (2009). How does ostensive communication influence social learning in dogs? <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 4<\/span> (2) DOI: <a href=\"http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jveb.2008.10.023\" rev=\"review\">10.1016\/j.jveb.2008.10.023<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Viranyi, Z, Range, F, &amp; Huber L 2008, &#8216;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.univie.ac.at\/edici\/workpackages-5-1-2.php\">The influence of ostensive demonstration on selective imitation in dogs<\/a>&#8216;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A quick look on what science has told us about how dogs imitate models. Turns out, dogs are copy cats.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[72],"tags":[586,130,12,723,81,164,11,721,13,722,565,154,152,53],"class_list":["post-3093","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-dog-behaviour","tag-behavior","tag-behaviour","tag-dog","tag-dog-behavior","tag-dog-behaviour-2","tag-dog-training","tag-dogs","tag-imitation","tag-learning","tag-mimicry","tag-modelling","tag-research","tag-science","tag-training"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/leemakennels.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3093"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/leemakennels.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/leemakennels.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/leemakennels.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/leemakennels.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3093"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"http:\/\/leemakennels.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3093\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5033,"href":"http:\/\/leemakennels.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3093\/revisions\/5033"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/leemakennels.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3093"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/leemakennels.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3093"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/leemakennels.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3093"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}