This blog is part of a series. If you missed the earlier one, scroll down and have a look! In the last blog we looked at the theory behind teaching your dog a command in a way he understands: That is what I am going to call the happy-dog-approach from here onwards. So today, how to teach your dog his name according to the happy-dog-approach: A dog’s name is thé most important command. We usually assume that a dog automatically understands what his name is over time. This will indeed usually happen, but we can certainly reinforce this process and create a stronger bond between you and your dog. First of all: Why is your dog’s name so important: If you call your dog and he responds to this, you are in contact with your dog. At that moment you can communicate with your dog. If there is no contact, there is no possible way of communicating with your dog. His name, the command of his name is your link to a connection with him. It opens the communication. And communication gives you the means to make your dog understand you. So now we know that calling his name is about establishing contact. Right, so now we just need to know how to get to listen to his name. Back to our happy-dog-approach: A dog is happy when we play with him, when he gets food, when he gets cuddles, when we simply talk to him. If we do any of the above and our dog comes to see us or looks at us. It is then that we pronounce his name. The combination of 3 things is there: happy dog, attention on us and the command. And this gets anchored in your dog’s brain: Happy things happen and this gets combined with his name. Very soon, in your dog’s mind, hearing his name will be equivalent to happy things happening with my owner. He will run to come and see you!! More episodes soon!!! In the meanwhile, stay safe, stay close to your home!
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Orna de VriesPsychologist, Canine behaviour counselor. I love teaching you about your dog and help you train it using dog friendly techniques. Archives
May 2020
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Photos used under Creative Commons from @bastique, mhester, marneejill, andreboeni, blumenbiene