Their Name!

This should be the first thing that your puppy learns. Learning their name should be fun and you should try to get this down as soon as possible - trust me, it will make a huge difference and propel your puppy into being awesome. Build a good foundation now and you will thank yourself later.

We’ll use positive reinforcement to quickly get your puppy to associate their name with something pleasant (treats). In a nutshell, you’ll be training your dog to respond to being called by their name and understand it’s a good thing. Try to start in a quiet & distraction-free room (ie: your living room), as many noises & smells will be very distracting for a young puppy.

The Training

• Find a quiet room with your puppy and get some treats.
• Try this first once you feel they’ve settled down in a new environment. While they’re not looking at you, say their name.
• Try to say their name in a bright, pleasant, and happy tone. (Tone is vital!)
• The moment your puppy looks at you, say “Yes!” or “Good!” and then immediately give them a treat. Repeat the process several times in small durations (5-10 minutes or less) throughout the day and soon your little one will turn to you whenever you call their name.

Note: It might take up at least a week for your puppy to start recognizing their name, be patient and remember to get lots of treats!

The Tips

• If you’re having trouble getting your puppy’s attention, it’s okay and it happens to everyone. You could try upping the reward or your currency with them by using bits of chicken or a higher value treat. Try to make sure there are no distractions, toys or smells that could take your puppy’s attention away from you.
• Once your puppy starts to understand their name, you can try upping the game. Increase the distance between the two of you or say their name while waiting for them to turn. Once you start to gain even more confidence in your little one’s abilities, you could try introducing distractions or going outside.

Good Practices

• You can continue to play the game with them throughout the day, while you’re watching YouTube, playing video games, or cooking. Even when you’re out for a walk, call your puppy’s name and expect their attention.
• It’s important not to over-vocalise or overuse your voice either by saying their name repeatedly or raising your voice by shouting. Say their name once, and on their response, treat them. Try walking away from the situation or pretend to be interested in something else, then move to another area with less potential distractions and reengage with them in a fun manner.
• Always remember the “two-second” rule - try to praise and reward them in less than two seconds. The more consistent and timelier you can be with your praise, the more likely they’ll be to remember their name. Once your puppy starts to learn their name, you can start to teach them sit, down, and eventually how to walk!

Disclaimer

The video and/or my content cannot guarantee that this learning method is right for your dog. The information I give is based on my knowledge and opinion of different learning types and is not directly endorsed by professionals. The methods shown within the video are meant to be demonstration purposes and does not guarantee success with all dogs. If you have any specific questions or concerns regarding the given information, please reach out to us through our Contact Page and we can get in touch.