Sit, heel, stay, down: These are probably the most common commands people teach their dogs — but have you heard of "Do it"?
It's a training method that's increasingly gaining ground and based on the principle of "Do as I do." Experts from research and practice explain how it works and what it offers both human and dog.
What learning methods are there?
"If you look at how dogs interact with one another, you see that they react and act in a highly social way — much like humans, who also learn most effectively by having an adult role model to follow," says Kate Kitchenham, a zoologist, behavioural biologist and cultural anthropologist.
Yet this kind of social learning is often not taught to dog owners in training schools. "Which is a great pity, because it's actually the natural form of learning for dogs," says Kitchenham, an author of dog training books. Ultimately, she said, it helps avoid mistakes that can be life-threatening.
What does 'sociallearning' mean?
Social learning "means taking in information from a social partner, which then leads to a change in one's own behaviour in comparable future situations," explained Udo Ganslosser, a zoologist and behavioural researcher.
This encompasses more than just observational learning: Social conventions and communication are also learned through play, he said.
"Dogs are highly social animals that learn socially in many respects," said Ganslosser, a lecturer in zoology in Germany. In the area of observational learning, this includes navigating obstacles and selective imitation, such as:
- when a dog does something with its snout that we do with our hand
- when it finds objects that were hidden in front of it
- learning sequences of movements that someone has demonstrated
What is 'Do as I do'?
In the 'Do as I do' method, the owner demonstrates an action to their dog, and the dog is then asked to replicate it after receiving the signal 'Do it.' Once the dog has understood the principle, it can transfer it freely and thereby learns new tasks with remarkable speed and lasting effect, according to 'Do as I do" pioneers Claudia Fugazza and Fumi Higaki.
There is also a related approach called model-rival method. This leads the dog to imitate an action performed by a person or another dog, motivated by the fact that the demonstrator was praised or given a treat afterwards. The learner also wants to receive attention and reward — which leads to faster imitation and understanding.
How does the training work?
According to Fugazza and Higaki of Eötvös Loránd University (or ELTE) in Budapest, the training consists of a foundation phase and a "Do as I do" phase. Both are necessary for the dog to learn the principle of imitation and for new behaviours to be taught.
It is important that the dog already knows six different actions and responds to each reliably on a verbal cue alone. Three of the six behaviours should be object-related — such as resting its chin on a chair seat, nudging over a water bottle or stepping onto a stool.
Svenja Tworek, who has mastered dozens of "Do it" exercises with her mixed-breed dog Yuna and shares them on Instagram, describes the process as follows:
- Demonstrate the behaviour and say "Do it," followed by the known cue. Reward the dog when it gets it right and return it to the starting position.
- Practise in varying order, with each behaviour repeated no more than twice in a row.
- Once this is reliable, it is enough to simply demonstrate and say "Do it." When that is also secure, add the next three behaviours.
- Once all six are performed reliably in different locations, new ones can be added.
"In training, the general rule is: the new comes before the old," says Tworek. For example, if the old command is "sit" and the new one is "Do it": sit down, then say "Do it" and "sit." In short: demonstrate sitting down, return to starting position, give the cues ("Do it" and "sit").
"Both cues must be given in quick succession so the dog can make the connection — no pause in between, no waiting," she stressed. Over time, the dog comes to understand that "Do it" is always followed by a known cue.
Eventually the dog will know what comes next at the sound of "Do it" alone, without the owner needing to say the command. "But first the association has to be made, and for that, both must be said directly one after the other."
At some point things will click for the dog, said Kitchenham. "Then I demonstrate it, return to my starting position, say only 'Do it' — and the dog sits."
What does a dog need to learn 'Do it'?
"Practically speaking, the dog must genuinely know the six cues on a verbal signal alone," said dog trainer Tworek. That means standing with your back to the dog and giving the command — and the dog responds. "Many people already fail at that point."
The dog should also have a degree of impulse control — meaning it does not jump around but remains calmly sitting or standing and watches its owner.
Kitchenham emphasises that the method requires "quite a lot of ambition and discipline" on the part of the owner. "This method requires a very detailed approach. It is not for everyone. You have to be extremely patient and build up the training programme step by step."
"The basics include the dog having an interest in doing things together with you, interacting playfully, being easy to motivate and keen to do something," she said.
What does social learning mean for the human-dog relationship?
The method is also used specifically to improve the relationship between dog and owner.
"Dogs that otherwise pay no attention to their owners in everyday life quickly realize with this method that it is worth keeping a closer eye on them — because sometimes they suddenly do funny things and are absolutely delighted when the dog copies them," says Ganslosser.
The method is less suitable for dogs that can't take their eyes off their owners due to attachment anxiety or other insecurities, he says.
Kitchenham says you can't generally say that this training is better for bonding than other exercises — such as dummy training. "That's a different level; it is also about commands at a distance and reliability."
Ultimately, what matters most is that owner and dog enjoy themselves and share a sense of achievement together. "Accomplishing something and taking pleasure in it is a huge gain for both sides and strengthens the bond," she said.
