When You Call, Your Dog Answers
Researchers and scientists from the University of Maryland found that dogs can filter out their names from a noisy crowd. They can do so either when the name is spoken louder or on the same level as the background noise.
This reflects the same experience people have with selective attention, more familiarly known as the “cocktail party effect.” This psychological phenomenon pertains to the brain’s focus on a particular auditory source while filtering out other sounds.
Researchers recorded this interesting effect in a lab experiment, wherein dogs listened to two speakers who said either their given name or a name with similar syllables. Scientists paired the vocalizations with background noise, delivered in three levels of increasing volume.
Findings showed that the dogs filtered through the noise to listen. They also turned their attention to the speaker who said their own name. This happened when the noise was softer or on the same level as the name calling.
Certified dog trainer Amber Burckhalter adds that a name change can be good for pets, particularly if they were abused. Consistent use of a new name helps them adjust to a new and different life.
Stay positive: Dogs respond to your actions, not your words. When making a change, Payne recommends saying the new name in a happy and excited tone, preferably when there are few distractions. “When he looks at you, say ‘Good boy!’” Payne says. “You just want him to associate that word with looking at you.”
Sports writers flooded Twitter with jokes about the move (check out the hashtag #rejectedTebowDogNames), while some pet owners complained about the name change. But do dogs really know the difference? Each year, millions of cats and dogs are adopted from animal shelters or rescue groups. More often than not, those pets get new names to go with those new homes.
Turn over a new leaf: Pairing recall training exercises, such as fetch, with a name change can help reinforce good behavior, says Burckhalter, whose pack includes three dogs, one cat, a human child and a husband. “If I took my dog to the dog park and yelled ‘Dutch, Dutch, Dutch’ and the dog ignored me, and this has gone on for several years, we may suggest you change the name to associate a new behavior,” she says.
“Dogs don’t have a concept of identity the way we do,” says certified New York dog trainer Renee Payne. “It might be confusing if you change [the name] regularly, but everyone I know calls their dogs several different nicknames. You can always add on; you just want to have some consistency. It has to be something you consistently call them.”
Miniature poodles can be named ‘Tater Tot’ (reasoning: the texture of their fur!) and bulldogs ‘Butterball’ (reasoning: duh) But beyond looks, personality is a huge indicator of what you might want to name your dog. For example, Ellis named her dog Rossi, after the motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi. “My dog is crazy, and runs around like a maniac, super fast all day. So that fits him.”
Should you get a dog, you will give it nickname. Ziggy quickly morphs into Ziggymans, Zig, Zigster, Mr. Zig, and 1,000 more permutations. So, if you choose a name — especially a longer one — try to come up with a ton of nicknames, and good ones, not ones like ‘Buddy,’ to see if there are nicknames that are easy to say, sound like their full names, and are cute. Otherwise, per Ellis, you’ll risk confusing your dog.
Consider the commands you’ll be giving your dog frequently. Does its name sound too similar? Unless you want a lot of headaches later, pick a different name. Bo could be mistaken for ‘No.’ And Ray could be mistaken for ‘Stay.’ says Ellis.“Those are behaviors that I ask for a lot in the dogs I train, and I don’t want them to think I’m yelling ‘No’ at them when I just want them to come over and pay attention to me.”
So, you got a dog. First of all: Congratulations! You made the right choice. The fish was never going to cut it, and the whole family has a new best friend. But now that Fido is in your house for good, and you’re buying dog food, treats, and toys, you’ve got to deal with the next step: how to name your dog. Naming your dog a unique dog name that is cool, creative, uncommon, clever, but also good dog names that make sense and aren’t needlessly complicated is a fine art. Luckily, we spoke to the experts so you don’t have to.
“Make sure that your pet names are dissimilar if you have more than one dog,” says Ellis. “They shouldn’t be so close to one another that the dogs can be totally confused.” In other words, Bert and Bluebell are totally fine, but Spot and Scott are not.
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There’s a new dog coming into your life who needs to learn her name. A puppy perhaps? Or maybe an adult rescue “do-over” dog? You might even have a dog who’s been with you for a while, but just doesn’t respond to her name as promptly as you’d like. If you’re eagerly anticipating the arrival of a new canine family member, be sure to put “teaching the name response” on top of your dog to-do list. And if you’re frustrated that your current dog doesn’t appear to know who she is, don’t fret; it’s never too late to teach this very important behavior.
We humans develop a personal attachment to our own names at a very early age. I am Pat Miller. Your WDJ editor is Nancy Kerns. Even a young child, when he hears his name, registers a “that’s me!” response. Our dogs, probably not so much. Although we can’t know for sure unless and until some day we can actually get inside their heads, it’s likely that a dog just learns to associate the sound of her name with (we hope) “good stuff” in the same way she associates other things (a ball, a leash, the car keys, the clicker) with good stuff.
Looks can be deceiving. When I say “Lucy!” only our Corgi gets excited. If I call “Scooter!” our Pomeranian does the happy dance. Our Scottie comes running if I call “Dubhy!” while we’re doing barn chores, while the rest of our dogs continue about their business. It sure seems that they know who they are! However, the simplest and most likely explanation, is that each of them, over time, has learned that good stuff happens for them when they hear their name sound, but not the other name sounds. That doesn’t mean they grasp the “I am my name” concept that we humans seem to instinctively understand.
Here is the key to teaching your dog to respond to her name: Name = good stuff. It’s almost as simple as that. While teaching your dog that her name means good stuff, you also need to be careful not to send her a mixed message. If you sometimes use her name to yell at her in anger, she’s likely to stop and weigh her options. “Let’s see… I wonder if a good thing will happen this time, or if a bad thing will happen. Hmmmmm.”
If she has to stop and think about it, it’s too slow. You want that unpoisoned, instantaneous, automatic “Yay! Good stuff!” response when she hears her name-sound. So, as you go forward teaching your new dog her name, be sure to keep it always positive. If you must yell at your dog, do it without using her name. If you think your dog’s name is already poisoned, consider giving her a new one, and then teach her that the new name is the best sound in the world.