26/08/2025
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I pull up to grab a coffee, open the boot and let the lazy lesson begin. It’s the easiest dog training and totally underestimated.
Dogs don’t only learn by doing, they learn by watching. Pongrácz showed dogs figured out detour problems quicker when they’d seen a human do it first. Fugazza and Miklósi proved with “Do As I Do” that they can even copy novel behaviours on cue. Range found that when dogs watch other dogs, they don’t just copy, they take the goal and work out the most efficient way to get it. Watching counts.
And while they’re watching, they’re smelling. Classic work by Scott and Fuller showed puppies exposed to more sensory experiences, including scent, grew up less fearful and more resilient. Gazzano confirmed that varied exposure in puppyhood leads to pups who explore more and adapt better. Jezierski and McGowan showed that familiar odours act as a social buffer, reducing stress and helping dogs settle. Smelling the world counts - possible as much, if not more than watching.
So, when these pups are sat in the car boot with the world rolling past, they’re not wasting time. They’re learning. They’re building a bank of information about how the world looks, moves and smells. When they’re too young for a walk - get owners to take them for a drive. Science tells us those quiet moments matter.
Learn more at: www.thejrhacademy.com
