Name Game: Teach Your Dog to Focus on You

Name Game builds eye contact and teaches your dog that hearing their name means something good happens. It is the foundation for recall and for focus around distractions.

Step by step

1. Say the name once in a happy voice.
2. When your dog looks, mark "yes!" and treat.
3. Repeat 10 times in a quiet room, then add distractions.

Tips

Say the name only once. If your dog does not look, make a kissy noise rather than repeating the name, and keep it cheerful. Never use the name to call your dog for something unpleasant.

Level: Beginner · Category: Basics. Use positive reinforcement only: reward what you want, never punish.