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