Dogs Don’t Naturally Know Their Names – We Need to Teach Them

Calling a dog by name to get her attention is one of the most common cues we use daily with our furry friends. This makes it easy to teach, even unintentionally. Most dogs will eventually figure out their names without specific training because it’s repeated and rewarded so often. When you call your dog’s name for dinner or a walk, she’ll quickly learn that her name means she should check in for something good. However, you can speed up this process by learning how to properly teach a dog her name.

Do Dogs Understand Their Names?

Humans learn their names through repetition and reinforcement as young children. In a general sense, dogs learn their names similarly. But what names mean to them is likely quite different.

For humans, a name is part of our identity – a set of sounds that refer to us as individuals. Just think how hard it would be to live in human society without a name. While we can’t ask dogs directly, watching their behavior suggests they respond to names more like any other learned cue.

As far as we can tell, dogs mainly identify individuals (both human and canine) by smell, sight, and sound. Even if a dog never learns her humans’ names – though many do – the scent of a familiar person or the sound of a known voice will make her tail wag. A dog knows and remembers individuals by these traits first and only learns a word for that individual, like a name, if there’s a benefit. So, if you want her to respond to such a word, you’ll need to teach her.

How to Teach Your Dog Her Name

Before you start teaching your dog her name, choose the exact name you’ll use to ask for her attention (see the sidebar below about nicknames). Then:

1. Get some treats your dog really likes and find a quiet place with few distractions.
2. With your dog near you, say her name in a happy, excited voice.
3. When she looks at you, give her the treat. You can also use rewards like toys, praise, or petting.
4. Repeat 10-15 times.
5. Practice several times a day until she starts looking at you as soon as you say her name.

Once your dog reliably responds to her name when she’s close, start increasing the distance between you. From 5 feet away, repeat the steps above. When she’s looking at you consistently from 5 feet, move to 10 feet, and so on. Remember, this isn’t a ‘stay’ command. It’s okay, even good, if she moves toward you when you say her name.

When your dog regularly looks at you when you say her name from anywhere in a quiet room, move to a slightly busier place and start over. Begin with her close to you and add distance once you’re sure she’s still responding well.

Once busier places aren’t a problem, start adding distractions like throwing a toy right before saying her name or having someone walk into the room. If she starts losing focus at any point, go back a step and practice closer with fewer distractions for a few days before trying again.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

There are a few easy mistakes to make, but it’s best to avoid them if you want your dog to learn and respond to her name quickly. These include:

• Using a dog’s name when angry or frustrated: It’s very tempting to use a dog’s name when she’s done something naughty. But if she starts to link her name with unpleasantness – even if it’s just that you’re upset – she’ll be more likely to ignore it or leave when she hears it instead of turning her attention to you.
• Saying a dog’s name over and over without reward: Especially when first teaching a dog her name, it’s important to give positive reinforcement whenever she hears her name and responds. Not doing this can turn it into just another word she hears that doesn’t mean anything special.
• Using nicknames or different versions of a name: While nicknames aren’t bad, they can confuse a dog. For example, if you start teaching your new dog to pay attention when you say ‘Harriet’, but also call her ‘Harry’ and ‘Princess’ expecting the same response, it’ll take longer to teach her that all these sounds mean you want her attention. You’re basically asking her to learn multiple cues for one behavior at once, which will likely slow down the learning process.

Changing Names

If you’ve adopted an older dog or want to change your dog’s name for any reason, don’t worry. Dogs can learn new names at any age. The process is the same as teaching a puppy her name for the first time. Just be patient and consistent, using the new name exclusively and rewarding your dog generously when she responds to it.

Remember, your dog’s name should always be associated with positive experiences. Use it when you’re happy with her, when you’re offering treats or playtime, or when you’re about to do something fun together. This way, your dog will always be excited to hear her name and give you her full attention.

In the end, teaching your dog her name is about building a strong, positive connection between you. It’s one of the first steps in creating a lasting bond and effective communication with your furry friend. With patience, consistency, and lots of positive reinforcement, your dog will soon be responding to her name like a pro, setting the foundation for all your future training adventures together.

Many canines arrive at their new homes with pre-assigned names. Animal shelters and rescue organizations routinely name the dogs in their care, and breeders often christen their puppies. When a dog transitions to a permanent home, the new family might wish to alter the name she’s accustomed to. I’m frequently asked if this change poses difficulties for the dog.

Based on my experience, modifying a dog’s name is generally harmless. Even if she recognizes and responds to her original name, consider it as teaching her a new command. The key is to introduce the new name with enthusiasm and affection, ensuring she associates it with positive experiences.