Why the Name Game?

Responding quickly to their name is an essential safety skill for all dogs, especially dogs who spend time around kids. The Name Game builds a foundation for other obedience skills like come and leave it. It is also a powerful tool for teaching calm, and for quickly moving dogs out of the way when necessary.

When there are kids are around, the energy in the home changes quickly. Kids play hard, talk loudly, and wind up getting hurt or upset with very little warning. To a dog, they are puppy-like, unpredictable, exciting, and sometimes scary.

This game is about building predictability into your dog’s life, so that when things get crazy, you can keep dog calm.

The predictability of the game builds your dog’s anticipation, calm, and confidence. Once your dog learns it, you can use the game to refocus your dog no matter what is happening.

Rate your Dog: How well does he know his name?

Before you teach the skill, decide what you want your dog’s response to be. What do you want your dog to do when he hears his name? In homes with young kids, I recommend teaching your dog to look at and move toward you.

Now test it out, does your dog actually respond to his name when you use it?

• Brand New: new name, who dis? No response.
• Novice: responds to name at home, sometimes.
• Intermediate: responds to name reliably at home most of the time.
• Advanced: responds to name even when the kids are running around. Also responds to name out in the yard, while on a walk, and in familiar spots.
• Expert: responds to name when company is over or at the dog park, off-leash, and in unfamiliar distracting spots.

Uses for the Name Game:

Now that you know how your dog should respond to her name, you can come up with ways to use the skill. Here are some ideas to get you started.

• Get your dog to come
• Get your dog to pay attention
• Call your dog away from the kiddo’s toys, food, or diapers (eww!)
• Interrupt rowdy play before it becomes dangerous
• Calm your dog down when company comes over
• Refocus your dog when they start barking
• Move your dog out of your baby’s reach

Playing the Game

The Basics:

Scroll to the bottom for the video.

1. Start in a quiet, distraction-free space. Have a pocket full of tiny treats and your clicker, if you are using one.
2. Toss a treat a few steps away. After your dog eats it, she should look back at you to see if you have more. When she looks at you, click and toss another treat. Repeat 5X.
3. Toss the treat a few steps away, but wait to click until she looks at and steps toward you. Repeat 5X.
4. Say your dog’s name just as she finishes eating her treat, right before she looks at you. Your dog will start to understand that her name means ‘look at my person to get a treat.’
5. Try steps 2 – 4 in every room of your house, on your porch and in your yard. Repeating the back and forth of the game will help your dog learn it.
6. Use extra special treats and play this game around your kids or anywhere you take your dog.

Training for Real-Life

Once you’ve played the game a few times, you’re ready to try it out in real-life. Start in a low distraction environment where you have already played the name game.

1. When your dog is not looking, say his name, and if he looks at you, click and treat.
2. If there are not many distractions and your dog doesn’t look at you, he probably hasn’t learned his name yet. Keep practicing the basics.
3. At first, give your dog a treat every time he responds to his name.
4. Practice playing the basics when other people are around and when the kids are playing.
5. Now your dog should know how to respond to his name. You’re ready use this skill in more distracting settings. Remember, if your dog isn’t successful, go back to an easier step.

Using the game: A few rounds of the Name Game will help your dog stay calm and focused. It’s like taking a few deep breaths to calm down. Put a few treats in your pocket before high energy times, and practice getting your dog’s attention before things get too crazy.

Troubleshooting

• If your dog doesn’t respond to their name, go back to an easier step of the name game.
• You can use your hand to get your dog’s attention. Put your hand in front of your dog’s face, and pull it toward your own face. Their gaze will naturally follow your hand.
• If your dog doesn’t step toward you, drop your treat at your feet and step away while your dog is eating it.

Demo with Arlo:

Client Dog Demo:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alaina • Dog Trainer for Families + Kids • Grand Rapids, MI (@scallywagsdogtraining)

PDF Download: