Using name as attention word?

[hunterisgreat]

Why does no one seem to do this? Is there a good reason? I mean... That's what names are for. Since I have two dogs, I often proceed commands with a name so just that dog complies. Thinking of just bailing on "watch" as the attention is better with ther respective names anyway. What problems might I run into?

[stealthq]

You know, I've been wondering about this recently, too. This is what I did with my old dog, but he was just trained as a companion, nothing competitive. Maybe there's some issue that I never ran into ...

[JeffM]

Having multiple dogs really doesn't give you a choice. When I want to single out one of my boys I always call their name but if it's something I want both to do, I'll just say the command or say "Boys".

[hunterisgreat]

Originally Posted by JeffM

Having multiple dogs really doesn't give you a choice. When I want to single out one of my boys I always call their name but if it's something I want both to do, I'll just say the command or say "Boys".

I say "dogs"

[CarrieJ]

I use ALICE for an attention command. When I say her name, she is supposed to look at me. Just stop what she's doing and look at me.
Sometimes it's followed by another command (usually Leave it) but not always.

Maybe because it's because I have two dogs and I don't compete in anything.
It just seems more effective for me.

Also it's really annoying to run into dogs that when you say their name they don't even shrug an ear. (With exception of deaf dogs)

[hunterisgreat]

Originally Posted by CarrieJ

I use ALICE for an attention command. When I say her name, she is supposed to look at me. Just stop what she's doing and look at me.
Sometimes it's followed by another command (usually Leave it) but not always.

Maybe because it's because I have two dogs and I don't compete in anything.
It just seems more effective for me.

Also it's really annoying to run into dogs that when you say their name they don't even shrug an ear. (With exception of deaf dogs)

There has got to be some reason people don't do it in competition.

[Cassidy's Mom]

I use my dogs' names as attention words. Leslie McDevitt has an exercise in her excellent book Control Unleashed called the "whiplash turn". What you're looking for is that when you say your dog's name their head immediately whips around towards you. It's different than a recall, but if they do actually come to you, even better!

I also have a "watch" command, but in addition to that I spend a lot of time capturing eye contact spontaneously offered up by the dog from the time they're puppies, and marking and rewarding it. That helps build a strong foundation of default attention. Oh, and for both dogs I use "everybody".

[Jason L]

You can't do it in Schutzhund. The one exception is blind search.

[ponyfarm]

I always say their name first, and then give them a directive! Especially when they are out running in the woods, and they each go on a different adventure. LOL!

Now our neighbors constantly yell at their dog to attempt to stop her barking. They just yell her name. :Kaiya, Kaiya!"

It doesnt work, and how would she know that yelling her name means "stop barking" or does it mean "come" or something else. Really need a command after their name.

[CarrieJ]

It is impressive in competition to see dog and handler moving together without hearing much more than commands. (Not the screaming at the dog...although I would understand why sometimes)

The sheepdog trials at the Highland Games that I saw it was really cool to see just hand signals and a whistle.

*with group outings with the girls....it's "HEY LADIES!"
Like that weird Beasty Boy song.