subject: Dog's name – negative or positive association [print this page] Dog's name negative or positive association
The name of your dog can be used in positive or negative association.
A good name for a dog is a short catchy name. It is recommended that the name of the dog will be composed of two syllables at the most.
Use a positive association with your dog's name In order for the name to catch on.One basic strategy you can employ with your dog, from the beginning form your relationship, in order for the name to catch on is composed of three simple steps.
1. You have to walk with the dog during the daily walk,
with some of the dog's favorite food in your pocket.
2. About every three minutes, While walking with the dog, say the dog's name.
Repeat the name of your dog at least three times on each occasion.
3. Reward your dog with some of his favorite food when he responds to the name.
This way, the name of the dog will catch on swiftly and positively with the new dog, no matter if it is a puppy or adult dog that you adopted.
Negative association to avoid in connection with the name of your dog is shouting the dog name as if he was a friend or person.
One of the most common behavior mistakes with dogs, is a result of process of anthropomorphism, which is, treat the dog as a human.
Shouting the name of the dog after he had done something negative, as you were yelling at a friend or family member in a similar situation.
We, people, are intelligent enough (in most cases) to understand that the person yelling our name at us is angry with us right now.
Dog has no such discernment. If we shout the dog's name in connection with negative situations like toilet inside the house, or chewing objects, or probing in garbage can and so on - the dog will make a "delete" of his name. That is to say: the dog will avoid from coming to us when he is called.
The name should always be with a positive association and the pet should not be treated as a human being when using the name.
