How To Teach a Dog Their Name, According to Expert Trainers

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One of the most exciting parts of adopting a canine companion is choosing a name for them. And once you decide on a name, you’ll need to teach it to them so they know when to come when called. Luckily, a dog’s name is one of the easiest things to teach. In fact, a puppy can learn their name as early as 8 to 10 weeks old.

Dogs can learn their name as quickly as one training session but it can take several months of reinforcement and practice for them to respond without treat reinforcement.

We spoke with professional pet experts Shoshi Parks, Ph.D., certified professional dog trainer, and Dr. Sabrina Kong, DVM and Staff Veterinary Writer at WeLoveDoodles, to find out. With their insight, we’ve compiled expert tips and tricks so you can teach your dog their name, regardless of age.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Luckily, teaching a dog their new name isn’t complicated. It will take time for them to make the association, though, regardless if it’s their first time learning as a puppy or you’ve decided to change a newly adopted dog’s name.

According to Parks, the name game is the easiest way to teach your dog their name. Here’s how to play:

Say your dog’s name in a clear, upbeat tone
When your dog turns and looks at you, mark the moment with the word “yes!” or a clicker.
Reward your dog with a treat, a quick tug session, or with praise and affection.
Repeat these steps in various settings, gradually increasing distractions to reinforce their response.

The goal is to correlate your dog’s name with attention and positive outcomes, Parks adds. She recommends keeping sessions short and positive, always ending on a high note.

Be consistent and practice everywhere

It sounds simple but this process does take time and practice with rewarding your dog. Dogs can also learn their name naturally (without treats) but the process may take longer.

Signs Your Dog Recognizes Their Name

A dog who hears their name and recognizes it will:

turn their head
look towards you
move towards you
come find you
wag their tail
make eye contact

“Teaching a dog their name is a foundational aspect of training that sets the stage for future learning and communication. It’s all about making that name-to-eye contact connection rewarding,” says Dr. Kong.

The more consistent and patient you are with this process, the more reinforcing your dog will find their name. Treats will also help speed up the positive association they have with their name.

Does My Dog Recognize Their Name or Nickname from Other Words?

Research also shows that dogs can uniquely recognize nouns and individual words. The more you practice the name game in different contexts and environments, the faster your dog will learn to differentiate their name from other words.

This understanding can extend to your dog’s nicknames too, although it only works if your dog’s nickname is similar to their given name. One study found that dogs did not distinguish between words that sounded the same — meaning if your dog’s full name is “Champion”, they would likely respond to “Champ”.

“They’re learning that the funny word you keep saying pays,” Park says. “And if that funny word pays well enough, it’s worth responding to.”

What You Can Do Once Your Dog Knows Their Name

Teaching a dog to respond to their name, which is the best name ever (of course), is the first step to a long and happy life together. Here are a few ways you can build on your dog’s name for further training.

Increasing difficulty and distractions

Once you get the hang of practicing the name game in different and more distracting environments, you may reach a point where your pup is too distracted and won’t turn to look at you once you say their name—then what? Parks provides some solutions.

“In a distracting environment or if your puppy simply failed to turn towards you quickly after saying their name, you need to make yourself a little more exciting by adding in an extra step,” she says. To do this, she recommends making kissy sounds, whistles, or robot noises to catch your pup’s attention. Once they’re engaged, you’ll immediately reward them with a treat or praise.

“Before you know it, your dog will be confidently turning their attention towards you when they hear their name,” says Parks.

Strengthen recall training

“Once your dog reliably responds to their name, it opens up a world of training possibilities,” says Dr. Kong. “Using their name as a foundation, you can build a solid recall, which is essential for their safety and your peace of mind.”

When practicing recall with your pup, Dr. Kong recommends starting in a controlled environment and gradually increasing the distance and distractions, similar to the technique used to teach them their name. When your dog comes to you when called, use positive reinforcement to mark the moment and reward them.

Not only is this learned behavior critical for the bond between you and your canine, but it can make leaving your dog with a pet sitter or dog boarding facility far safer too.

Improve loose leash skills

Another advantage of teaching a dog their name is using it as a cue when training them to walk on a leash. Dr. Kong points out that you can teach your dog to do a U-turn or change directions when you say their name on a walk, which can be especially helpful if you have a reactive pup.

“Initiate this by saying their name followed by a cue like let’s go or this way, and reward them as they follow, making leash walks more manageable and enjoyable for both of you,” she says.

rover test pup roo and ruffwear hitch hiker hands-free leash

A hands-free lead like the Ruffwear Hitch Hiker comes in handy when working on loose-leash skills (and quick treat delivery).

Enforce a positive interrupter

Using your dog’s name can also be used as a positive interrupter to deter them from unwanted behaviors. “For instance, if they’re about to jump on a guest, saying their name can break their focus and allow you to cue an alternative behavior, like sitting,” says Dr. Kong.

Measure engagement and comfort

Lastly, another benefit of teaching your dog their name is using it to gauge your dog’s training progress and focus. “A dog that responds immediately shows high engagement and readiness to learn, while hesitation may indicate a need for more practice or less distraction,” says Dr. Kong.

How to Teach Your Dog Their Name