DoggMatch
← All lessons

Puppy foundations

Your dog's name

Turn your dog's name into the happiest word they know.

5 minBeginner

You'll need: A handful of small treats, A quiet moment.

Your dog's name — a dog and their person practising together

How to do it

  1. Step 01

    Say it once

    Wait until your dog isn't looking at you, then say their name once, warmly.

    Illustration: Say it once
  2. Step 02

    Mark the look

    The second they glance at you, say "yes" and give a treat. The look is the whole exercise.

    Illustration: Mark the look
  3. Step 03

    Keep it precious

    Use their name for good things only. Not for telling off, not fifteen times in a row.

    Illustration: Keep it precious

How did it go?

Tell us about your dog and we'll keep track of what you've worked on, and suggest what to try next.