Older dog training puppy

[Piper'sMom]

I've read a lot on this forum and others about the older dog training puppy. At what point does that kick in or is it happening in some non-verbal canine way I can't see?

I ask because I don't see Piper correcting Roo, the only time is if Roo tries to take a chew toy Piper has. Otherwise that puppy hangs off her face, hangs off her neck and Piper just rolls around with her. I thought she would correct her for biting too hard but she hasn't. I've never had two before so I was wondering if that was normal?

Thanks,
Tina

[arentspowell]

In my experience labs are not big correctors. My dachshund has doled out more corrections to dogs whose behavior she didn't appreciate than my lab ever has in her 6 years. The learning from the older dog is more of a "monkey see monkey do" type thing. Piper sits before she gets a treat, Roo will take notice and start sitting so she can get a treat. It's that kind of thing.

It also works in reverse too unfortunately. We don't have the same rules for the little dogs around here as we do for the big dogs. Little dogs can lay on the couch, big dogs cannot. Not fair, I know, but it's kinda just how it is (they are allowed on the bed though!) The big dogs know this and sometimes try to get away with some of the stuff their smaller counterparts get away with like jumping on people and sneaking up on the couch.

[smartrock]

I read on here about puppies losing their "puppy license" at about 4? months of age and older dogs deciding to correct them at some point when they're a little older. Maybe Roo is still in the age range where puppy behavior may be more tolerated. Chase was 6 years old when we got Lark, we've had her for 3 years, and I've seen very few corrections. When she was small Chase never offered a correction and mainly just looked at me as if to say, "Could you get this devil off my neck?" She still hangs from his neck but they then just start playing or play fighting and Chase usually enjoys it now. And learning from the older dog was similar for us as it was for arentspowell. If Chase sat for a treat or before a meal, Lark quickly learned to sit for the same. But Chase has always barked at people walking past our yard with dogs and I'd hoped Lark wouldn't learn that annoying behavior. Unfortunately, she barks louder than he does now. So they do learn the good and the bad.

[Labradorks]

I think it depends on the dog and the puppy. It's socialization, not training. And, you have to remember, that a dog who is one way around one dog is different around another dog that is more or less tolerant. Of course, dogs teach each other habits as well, good and bad, but that is less about learning and more about following or mimicking.

[windycanyon]

If you've not had Piper in obed classes for awhile, now would be a good time. She then can "practice" her skills in front of the puppy and you can apply the same to the puppy. Sometimes you can luck out and the trainers will offer sequential classes so Roo could watch Piper's class, then Piper could watch hers (from crates of course). One of the best things I ever have done w/ my puppies is take them to obed workshops where they can each have working spots and work at the level they are. The other one learns that you are the one to please/ work for, not the other dog.

[mhb]

Cassie is super well trained and well behaved, and I absolutely see Tobey following her lead on many commands and just general house manners. Its not a matter of the older dog training the younger one, but the younger one emulating the older. between that and the two of them 'playing' together i have no idea how i'd raise a puppy without an older dog. Now just need to be sure Cassie doesn't get too harsh in keeping him in line.