I HAVE always considered that part of what separates man from animals is our ability to accumulate information through the generations.

With the passing years, we use the experience of our elders to push us forward until, in turn, we pass on the baton to our offspring.

Thus our knowledge is constantly expanding, much like our dear editor’s waistline...

This, I naively thought, made us the unique, highly intelligent beings that we are. But, as usual, I was wrong. Because animals, I am happy to confirm, can do this too.

For evidence, one only has to look at orphaned lambs and discover that they generally make hopeless mothers. It is clear that much of the mothering ability is learnt as a very young lamb at foot and, if the ewe dies giving birth or shortly after, that information is not passed on from mum to lamb. When, in time, that orphaned lamb becomes a mother herself, she has absolutely no idea what to do.

It seems incredible that so much can be learnt in the first few hours of birth and there is no doubt that the converse is also true; that good mothers pass on their ability and so their offspring become better mothers. I have experienced this in all species and breeds.

A stark example of animals' ability to learn from their peers comes from a seven year study of red deer in the Czech Republic. (I know. I lead a sad and troubled life, but I do it for your benefit.)

By fitting satellite linked collars to the deer, scientists found that the deer always meticulously avoided the previous east-west border, the so called ‘Iron Curtain’, which used to be secured by a very powerful electric fences. Not particularly exciting, you may think, until you discover that the fences were taken down decades ago and there is absolutely no possibility that there are any deer left alive who had experienced them. Quite remarkable, I think.

So now we know this; that animals learn through the generations, what use is it to us as pet owners? Well quite a lot really.

First and foremost, as I keep harking on and on and on about, is that, if you are going to get a puppy, you have to see the mum. And this is not just so you know you are not buying from a puppy farm but so that you can get to know her, as it is very likely she will pass on much of her behaviour to her puppies.

If she is nervous, narky or neurotic, these traits may well have been picked up by her litter in their formative first few days and weeks. Indeed, when viewing puppies, it is far more important that you spend time with mum rather than oohing and aahing over her offspring. In short, if you don’t like her, then I would avoid the purchase, no matter how cute and cuddly the puppies might be.

It is also important that young pets get to spend time with well-behaved older animals who can exert their influence in a positive way. Seems that we all live and learn.