How to Teach my Puppy its Name? - Dog Name Recognition Training, by Rocadog on YouTube. 4 min 16 s.
- Video length
- 4 min 16 s
- Time to do it
- 5 minutes a day
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Choose a quiet room with no TV, other pets or people moving around. Pick one name for the puppy and agree with everyone in the house to use only that name.
Make a short sound your puppy will react to, like a kiss noise, a whistle or a tap on the floor. Wait for him to look at you or walk over.
The moment he turns to you, say his name once in a clear, cheerful voice. Do not repeat it over and over.
Praise him straight away and give one small treat within a second or two of him looking at you.
Repeat five to ten times, then stop the session. Puppies get distracted fast, so two or three minutes is plenty.
Run two or three short sessions a day, always ending while your puppy is still enjoying it.
Once he responds reliably in the quiet room, practise in the garden or on a quiet walk. Add one small distraction at a time.
Stay patient when he ignores you. Never punish or shout, just wait for the next chance to reward him.
Tips and common mistakes
Use tiny, soft treats so you can reward often without overfeeding your puppy.
Say the name once, then wait. Repeating it teaches the puppy to ignore it.
Keep your voice happy when you use the name, and never use it for telling the puppy off.
Stop before your puppy loses interest, so the training stays something he looks forward to.
Questions
How long does it take for a puppy to learn its name?
Most puppies start turning to their name within a week of short daily sessions. Some take longer, so keep sessions light and repeat them often.
Can I use nicknames as well as the puppy's name?
No, use only one name at first. Nicknames and variations sound different and can slow down name recognition.
What if my puppy ignores me?
Move to a quieter place and use a more interesting treat. Dogs are not machines, so an occasional missed response is normal.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
