What’s in a Name
By Martin Deeley
How to Name Your Dog
Although a name should only mean “I am talking to you” and gives you the ability to attract your dog’s attention, a name you like and feel comfortable calling is good to have. Some owners have fun with names. I remember as a boy, a man in our town called his dog “Guess.” People would come up and talk, and of course ask his dog’s name. You can imagine the amusement that followed.
Short names tend to be best, one or at most two syllables. One of my favorite names is Ben and that often becomes Benny. Not very creative, I know, but I like to keep it simple and have a name that comes easily to mind. Being a country fan, I have had a Garth, Reba, Dolly, Roper (after “Rope the Wind”) and one was named in honor of a friend in the army who works with helicopters – Chopper. It was whatever came to mind at the time and fit the dog and his or her personality.
In choosing a name, try to pick something that comes easily to your lips. If you have a sense of humor, try to pick a name that will not embarrass you. Use a normal name for him and keep the funny one for a nickname when you are sharing time alone or with good friends. He can have more than one name he responds to. As a boy, if my father called me “Martin,” it was OK, if he called me “Little One,” I knew he was in a good mood, but if he called me “Martin Deeley,” I knew I was in trouble. Names can occasionally impart a message depending on where and how they are used. Dogs learn and know the difference also.
If your dog has a particular character trait or specific appeal, then maybe there is a name that coincides. For example, I have a pup with a low tail, so she became Lottie; one was born with two dark fur patches on his forehead and became Two Dot, and now Twoo-dy. A busy one earned the nickname Busy Bee and eventually became just Bee. So you can have some fun when thinking of a name.
Try to select a name that is not easily confused with a command. Such as Beau and No, Stay and Bray, Pitt and Sit. Some names are very popular and it can cause confusion if you are in a park or place where there are dogs with the same name. Saying that, I have found that in time the dog recognizes your voice and inflections and rarely makes a mistake if trained correctly.
Choose a name that will grow with your dog and will fit him throughout this life. If you rescue or take on an older dog, there is no problem in changing his name. He will quickly learn to respond to it if used in the correct ways.
But whatever name you select make sure you can say it with a smile – it should reflect the relationship you have with your dog and be a special communication between you and him. A name should be enjoyed.
How to Use Your Dog’s Name
Once you have selected that perfect name, be sure to use it appropriately! Think about what the name means to your dog. Mainly it means watch, listen, or pay attention; I am communicating specifically to you. It identifies a person or, in this case, a dog. So many times we teach the dog to come to his name. For example, “Benny, Benny, Benny” we call and make ourselves attractive so he runs up to us. We may even give him a treat. So what does it mean to our dog? A command – “come to me.” Then one day he does something naughty, we say “Benny!” in a gruff tone, he comes to us and we punish him. Now he is confused. Then we see him in a room “Hi Benny” we greet him, he comes over and we walk away to talk to someone else. “Hey, I came over,” he thinks “and now I am not rewarded even with a smile.” So now the name means confusion; he’s not sure what it means.
Is it any wonder in the future that when we call his name he does not come or thinks he will be corrected?
In some dog sports, handlers will use the name as part of a command given in conjunction with a body position or movement. But once more, we have to ensure that our dog understands the name is part of a body movement and communication and not a command in itself. This is a very complex command and it can take a long time for a dog to understand the intricacies. I have regularly seen dogs make a mistake by obeying their name and thinking it was a command to go, getting corrected for it, and then once again resulting in total confusion and lack of trust in their name.
A name means simply, “I am talking or communicating with you alone.” “Benny, sit.” But if he is the only dog there, why even use his name? In this instance it makes a three-syllable command and becomes more difficult to learn. If you do find yourself using his name, or you wish to use his name as it will help in the future, say his name and then wait a second before issuing the command. So it becomes “Benny …(He looks to you)...… sit.” Too often we hear, “Sit Benny,” “Down Benny,” or “Here Benny” and the dog only hears the emphasis mainly on his name, as it is the last word. Now what does he understand?
Dogs will in time learn from body language associated with their name. However, you initially teach them commands and use their name just to get attention. To teach what the name means to a young dog in training, I will say his name and then clap my hands lightly or make a little noise between my lips and when he looks; I will use the command and show him what I require. I have to admit that most of the time I do not use a name and, often with dogs in training, will even forget the name.
One important thought – when your dog does wrong, often the first word that comes to mind is his name. In our annoyance we use it harshly. Now the name means punishment; it means you are in trouble; and who wants to come back to get punished. So do not use his name in association with punishment. Associate his name with good action, clear commands and nice experiences so he learns it means we are friends talking to each other and the next request will be rewarded. Use other noises or words to show your disapproval of his behavior – not his name.
Certainly teach your dog his name, but do so in a way that he understands. His name means “listen or watch for the next command – it is you I am talking to my friend.”
About Martin DeeleyMartin Deeley is internationally recognized as one of the leaders in dog training. He co-founded the International Association of Canine Professionals, has authored three books on gundog training, was inducted to the IACP International Hall of Fame and was featured in Cesar's Mastering Leadership Dog Training DVDs.
