| Because dog confusion is a major obstacle to | | | | on the dog. The one towhich the dog reacts best is |
| trainingsuccess, what you name your dog and how | | | | IT! And he WILL react differentlyto different names! |
| you use thatname can determine your success in his | | | | Try it! |
| training andbehavior. | | | | Contrary to popular belief, a dog's name should |
| Dogs are vocal, not verbal. How words sound is | | | | change withevery new owner. The old thought was |
| important tothem, so consider that then choosing | | | | that once a dogrecognized hits name, you couldn't or |
| names and commands. Toyour dog, the words "No," | | | | shouldn't change it. |
| "Know," "Beau" and "Joe" are thesame sound; the | | | | Wrong! Since many owners make the mistake of |
| dog will have trouble knowing which you mean. | | | | using the namewith a reprimand, or even AS the |
| If you name him "Beau" and use "No!" as a reprimand, | | | | reprimand, if you keep theold name you tell the dog |
| saying, | | | | you're one of THEM--the former crew. |
| "Beau, you know what I want!" reprimands him twice | | | | If the dog is now yours, you can't presume former |
| althoughyou didn't intend a single one! | | | | owners dideverything right. If they did, you probably |
| You always want your dog to come to you when | | | | wouldn't have him. |
| you call him, sohow much sense does it make to | | | | And you're trying to tell the dog this is a new start in |
| name your dog "Beau" and use | | | | a newhome, right? Then why use the old |
| "NO!" as your reprimand? He'll have trouble knowing | | | | name--especially when it waslikely used negatively in |
| whetheryou called him or yelled at him. | | | | the past? |
| I like to have a dog choose his name. There are two | | | | Be sure to teach the dog his new name by using it |
| ways todo this. First, spend enough time with the | | | | only withthings the dog likes such as treats, praise, |
| dog to really getto know his personality and select a | | | | meals and loveand affection. And don't choose a new |
| suitable name. Forexample, when new to us my | | | | name that sounds a lotlike the old one, like "Bo" and |
| Husky-mix not only jumped on me,he pinned me to | | | | "Noah". |
| the wall and took stuff out of my shirt pocket! | | | | Use the new name consistently and positively ONLY |
| I said to my wife: "Look at this! I'm getting mugged! | | | | with thingsthe dog likes and within a week or two he |
| " Naturally, he became Mugger! A client had a | | | | should respond nicely. |
| veryrambunctious Great Dane pup and I love the | | | | We changed the names of two of our dogs and |
| name shechose: Chaos! Let the dog earn his name! | | | | now they ignore theold names. |
| Another way is to make a list of your favorite | | | | Article written by Dennis Fetko, Ph.D., "Dr. Dog". |
| names and--ina playful and animated voice--try them | | | | |