Whether your dog is new to your home and new to their name or if they just don’t listen, here are some tips to help you get a better response.
What is in a Name?
Names are a pretty human concept. Very few animal species use sounds to identify individuals - in other words, names! Dogs are not one of those species, which means that the concept of a name probably doesn’t mean the same thing to your dog as it does to you.
Most people want a dog’s name to mean “look at me.”
Choosing a Name
If you just got your dog, you may consider changing their name. Don’t worry about hurting their feelings - they don’t connect their name with themselves as an individual. It’s just another signal to “Look my way.” Some rehomed dogs may even have an unpleasant association with their name; a new name could be a fresh start.
Consider any cues/commands you might want to use with your dog and what those sound like. For example, if you name a dog Sydney, you might want to use a different word for “Sit” because it sounds so close to his name.
Use a nickname if your dog has an established name, but you want a better response through training. This lets you use your dog’s name casually in the house when talking, and you can save this nickname for situations where you would like a sharp response.
Teaching Your Dog Their Name
This is easy! Say your dog’s name, then toss a small treat. Repeat many times throughout the day. It doesn’t matter what they are doing initially - we’re just forming a positive association rather than expecting them to do anything. Soon, your dog will eagerly turn your way when you say their name.
When your dog is really good at this skill, it could be used to replace your “Leave It” and “Come.” A dog who looks your way and moves in your direction immediately will not be getting into trouble or moving away!
How to Use Your Dogs’ Name
There are a lot of old myths about when to use a name, such as using it before commands, but there’s no one right way. A good rule of thumb is to use your dog’s name to get them to look your way, then give another command as needed. If your dog is looking your way, they will be more likely to respond to other commands. When a dog has more advanced skills, they should respond to any cue, no matter whether they’re looking at you or not. But early in training, this is a great way to get more responses.
How to Not Use Your Dog’s Name
Humans evolved for verbal language. We like to pair a dog’s name with additional information, such as “Milo, NO!” But what really happens in those situations is that some dogs learn bad things happen when you say their names. Over time, this can lead to dogs not responding positively to their names.
Avoid saying your dog’s name when you are frustrated or irritated; we want to maintain a positive association.
