Teaching a dog to pay attention (i.e. make eye contact) when you say its name is convenient and very practical in many situations.
Step 1: Start with the dog on a leash in a quiet, low-noise spot.
- Call out the dog’s name, press on its nose, and then quickly give it a bite to eat.
- Repeat 10 times.
- Give it a bite to eat every time it’s looking at you.
Step 2: Wait until the dog looks away, then say its name.
- When it turns to look at you, reward it with a treat.
- Repeat until it looks at you 4 to 5 times out of 5 when you call your name.
- Tip: If the dog isn’t looking at you, repeat Step 1, making sure you’re calling his name in an excited voice to get his attention. If that doesn’t work, call it by name, place the bait in front of its nose so it can see it, and then bring it towards your eyes.
- When the dog looks you in the face, reward it.
Step 3: In this step, your dog will learn to respond when called by name while there are many distractions around.
With a dog on a leash, it should be taken somewhere noisier. Whenever it doesn’t look at you, call its name. When it turns to look at you, reward it.
Step 4: In this step, your dog will learn to respond when called out from a distance.
- Go to a quiet place.
- Wait until it’s a few feet away from you, then say the name.
- When it looks at you, reward it when it comes running.
- Tip: If it doesn’t run to you, that’s normal. Throw the bait to it. Remember, you want your dog to know that it’s good to turn to look at you when your name is called
Verify
Verification means teaching dogs to recognize names in different situations.
Practice naming often and everywhere. Practice when your dog is right next to or a few meters away. You’ll also want to practice indoors or outdoors, as cars pass by, around other dogs and other people.
You can also play a “name game” with others to teach your dog to recognize names; When they say your dog’s name and he looks in their direction, reward him.
Note: You want your dog to know that when his name is called, good things happen. So never call your dog’s name in an angry or frustrated way. You want your dog to look happy with you whenever you call her name. If you are having trouble between the steps of the name recognition method, create a time when your dog is comfortable. Do not rush!