Teaching your dog to recognize their name is an important step to help them integrate well into your family.
Whether your dog is a puppy or an adult, adapting to a new family and household can take time. However, here are a few things you can do to help your dog with this transition.
Learning at different speeds
Teaching your dog to recognize their own name can take more or less time, depending entirely on the dog. For instance, it can take from a few days to a few weeks.
Positive reinforcement, like rewarding your dog with treats, congratulating them, or by saying their name in a joyful voice can encourage your dog to understand that you are calling their name. Keep in mind that your dog will not pay attention to the name you call out if you repeat it too often. They will think that it is an everyday sound. In addition, if you call your dog with a negative tone, they can start to ignore you.
Instead, when calling your dog's name, prioritize moments when your dog is calm, but not tired. Start by calling your dog by their name and seeing what their reaction is. If they respond with enthusiasm, congratulate them.
What should I do once my dog recognizes their name?
Once your dog responds to their name, you can put in place little training exercises like "recall". To teach your dog to come when you call, you can put your hand on your hips with treats hidden in each one. Look at your dog and when they look at you, say “Yes!” and give them a treat or piece of kibble. Repeat until you have your dog's attention, then add their name in place of the “Yes”.
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Then, when your dog isn't really paying attention to you, call them over. If they look at you, take a few steps back and say “come”. If they follow you, you can reward them.
This is a positive training method for teaching your dog their name and recall.
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Did your dog learn to recognize their name quickly?
