Best Pets Dog Training LLC

Expert help for your pup.

Finding the best name for your puppy

By

Tenze As Pup 1

I had a terrible time naming my latest German Shepherds puppy. She came to me somewhat unexpectedly; all my previous puppies were named well in advance, or at least, I had several good ideas. But this time, only two weeks had elapsed between the time I talked to my breeder about her and the time I picked her up (the advantages of finding and sticking with a good breeder)!

After wracking my brain for three weeks, I asked a friend who is a language buff to supply some ideas. Bingo! We christened her Tänzer, German for “dancer” — Tenze for short. If the idea of foreign names or language appeals to you, Babel Fish Translation is a handy tool. Combing your new puppy’s pedigree, if she has one, is also a great way to come up with names.

Of course, your new puppy does not require a name in the native tongue. There are a few good sites to assist you in choosing a name, such as Bow Wow Meow and Pet Names World, which will allow you to search by gender, type of pet and genre.

Thinking about themes can be helpful, as well. Ask your breeder whether he or she has a theme for this litter. A breeder friend of mine gave her second litter apple-themed names. Science fiction, literature, mythology and history are all good sources of fun and unique names. And don’t worry about choosing a foreign-language name that isn’t directly related to your dog’s heritage; there are plenty of exotic-sounding names in whatever language you like best.

Lastly, when you think you’ve chosen a name, spend some time saying it out loud — even shouting it down the street! Don’t fret if you end up changing it after some time has passed with your new puppy, as they can learn a new name with a little training.

Teach your dog his name

By

Let’s teach our dogs the most important word they’ll ever hear: their names. The good news is, this simple, life-saving word can be taught in literally a matter of minutes.

All you’ll need to do is grab your dog, a leash (if you need it to keep him nearby), and 50 or so really, really good treats. I’m not talking about dog biscuits or those pre-packaged, food coloring-filled store-bought treats — we mean business here. I’m talking about hot dogs, chicken, turkey, pieces of salami, roast beef, and the like. The good stuff. The stuff you were always told not to feed your dog from the table. Anything your dog would love to get his little paws on counts. (Obviously, check with your vet if your dog has dietary or medical issues.)

You don’t need to use big treats — slices or bits the size of your pinky nail work just fine for even the largest dogs. This is a treat your dog loves, remember?

If you want to go high-tech with your training, get a clicker as well. Remember to condition your dog to the clicker before getting started, if it’s your first time using one. If you don’t have a clicker, no worries — with this exercise, you can simply skip that step in the following instructions:

  • Place the treats within easy reach for you, but where your dog cannot get them.
  • Say the dog’s name, click the clicker and feed a treat. Do not ask for a sit, do not call the dog from a distance, and do not repeat the dog’s name. Click as soon as you say the dog’s name and feed a treat.
  • If your dog isn’t paying attention, move backwards with the leash in your hand. Wait for the dog to look at you, say his name, then click and treat.
  • Repeat with all treats. Do this exercise at least twice a day in different locations.

Name 1
Name 2Name 3

Once you’ve done this exercise for a couple of sessions, test its effectiveness by saying your dog’s name while he’s not looking. His head should snap up and he should focus his big greedy brown eyes on you in hopes of getting a treat. If he does, congratulations! You’re ready to move him outside and repeat the process. If not, check that you’re still using a super-yummy treat in a non-distracting environment and repeat the exercise a few times before testing it again.