One of the first lessons that puppies should always learn is their name! Your puppy’s name is a title that identifies them forever. And so, the earlier they learn it, the easier it will be to train them to do other commands! It also allows you to grow a loving bond with your furry friend! […]
One of the first lessons that puppies should always learn is their name! Your puppy’s name is a title that identifies them forever. And so, the earlier they learn it, the easier it will be to train them to do other commands! It also allows you to grow a loving bond with your furry friend! Now, puppies are pretty smart; they usually learn their names pretty quickly. In fact, most puppies can pick it up within 1-3 days! However, to get your puppy to respond to their name when it’s called out loud, you need to practice calling them on a regular basis.
When your puppy learns their name, it’ll be easier to take to the dog park, walk around the neighborhood, and even train them to follow commands since your furry bestie will know you’re talking to them. Here’s how you can teach your cuddly friend how to recognize their name fast!
The “name game” is a short yet fun activity that helps your furry companion recognize their name fast! To play this game, all you need is a bag of treats and to follow the next steps:
Be sure that your puppy is able to chew on the treats (and swallow them!). Large treats can present a choking hazard so it’s important that their treats are appropriate for puppies. We also don’t recommend playing the name game in a large, exposed area like a dog park. Your puppy can become distracted or even escape from you. Start at home first and train your puppy to obey you before changing locations.
The best way to a puppy’s heart is through food! The best way to get your puppy to pay attention during training is to always have treats in your hand. Treats are the best positive reinforcement tactic in training sessions. This will help them learn their name fast because they learn to associate their name with a delicious treat! You can also use your puppy’s food or toys to achieve positive reinforcement. Before giving them their reward, be sure they respond to their name.
Consistency is important when it comes to training. Play the name game as often as you can! If your puppy has a short attention span, you can split the training sessions throughout the day. Young puppies get distracted easily so it’s important to keep training short so that it’s effective. Of course, your puppy’s attention span can be frustrating but don’t get mad at your puppy. Remember: puppies are like young children! They just want to have fun and eat lots of yummy goodies! So if your puppy isn’t interested in playing the name game, end the practice session and play with them! NEVER overwhelm or scare your puppy at any time. Otherwise, they will learn to associate negative feelings over their name, which makes it hard to train them later on.
Once your puppy knows the name game like the back of their little paws, it’s time to introduce a new environment, preferably inside your home. Make sure there are no distractions in your home. Put away all items on the floor and close every door in your home. Have a bag of treats nearby while facing your puppy. Take one step backward and call out your puppy’s name. When your puppy looks at you, praise them and reward them with a treat. When your puppy gets the hang of this, walk into another room and call out their name. If your puppy follows you and looks at you in response, praise them by saying “good!” and give them another treat! Repeat this exercise as often as you can. Be sure to change locations or create a larger distance between you and your puppy to make the game harder.
Most importantly, DO NOT use your puppy’s name with negative words or comments like “Rocky, no!” or “Buddy, quiet!”. This can change your puppy’s feelings over their name, making them have a negative reaction towards it. Many puppies and dogs react with fear when their name is called because their name is usually accompanied with a negative comment. Your puppy should always love their name; it’s special and expresses the bond you have with them. Therefore, it should always be associated with something positive.
Use your puppy’s favorite treat constantly to reward them for their good work. This keeps them coming to you when you call their name. Positive reinforcement is the best way to train your puppy, not just with their name but all commands and tricks. Every time you train your puppy, it should be a pleasant and exciting time. It can be frustrating, but it’s highly crucial to remain patient. Your puppy will get older, and as a result, will be able to respond to their name quickly. Once they know their name, you can switch treats with praises and kisses only. That way, your puppy will respond to their name with or without food!
