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Rover,
Max, Pooch,
Bernie.... these are all names
for dogs. However, none of these are a name to a dog, WE use
them as 'names' because we like to have labels for things and
its endearing, but to a dog a name is a COMMAND or an 'association
to action' and nothing else. It effectively means, "Oi
You", or "give
me your attention please".
To some people, the dog's name means "come
here" on
some occasions, and on other occasions it means "don't
do that" all depending on the
tone its given in. This is wrong and unfair on a dog.
So, if we break this down into simple terms, if a 'name' is a
command, then a dog can obey and disobey it, right? Yes, and
its the most commonly disobeyed command there is, because so
few dogs and more importantly, so few OWNERS understand the very
fact that it is a command in the first place.
My definition of any dog training command is: "A
verbal sound or physical action which causes a specific and reliable
reaction from the dog". So, with
this in mind, it is ESSENTIAL that you DECIDE on that verbal
or physical gesture beforehand, and also that you DECIDE exactly
what SINGLE reaction you wish your dog to perform when it receives
the command. This can vary, but my chosen response from a dog
is for it to STOP whatever it is doing (whether that is running,
eating their food, or even SLEEPING) and LOOK AT ME remaining
STILL, not running back to me, sitting down, wagging their tail
and jumping up or anything else. When i say one of my dog's names,
that dog will do exactly what i have described, it will LOOK
AT ME and AWAIT further instructions.
This is the fundamental reason why i believe a dog's name is
one of the most crucial yet misunderstood COMMANDS. So many owners
use the dog's name as a kind of variable command, sort of like
the word means listen to the TONE of my voice which gives you
the TRUE meaning of the word this time round. In other words,
i often see an owner give their dog's name through many different
tones, volumes etcetera and each time expecting something completely
different of their dog. If i can't work out what they want from
their dog, as an experienced dog trainer who speaks English as
well as the language of human emotional expression, how on EARTH
can we expect the dog to know what they want whilst that dog
speaks neither of these languages?
Remember, the easier you make your dog's task of understanding
you, the easier your dog will make your life! Think about everything
from your dog's point of view, and the next time you say his
or her name, remember that its a command, so decide what you
want and REWARD accordingly and consistently. Before long you
will have a dog which knows the sound of its name and this will
prime it for the next command which you will always give.
Stop calling your dog names, and start communicating what you
want from him! |
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