I normally use the normal name of each dog and consistently in the same tone of voz. Unless it is an emergency situation, like an attack from an unknown dog, then it may be I yell. This happens rarely and I wonder if the dog will understand: "Oh, something is wrong now."

On the other hand: Does he then still recognize his name or does he understand it as an unknown sound, which doesn't mean anything to him. Those few times it happened, it seemed to work, but perhaps they understood it despite of differently pronounced names. And again - perhaps they recognized my whole behavior.

When I used real nicknames was when I have jokingly (jokingly for myself) called them to training sessions."Girls, lets work!" or "Chickens lets work!" or Piggies lets work!". They of course can't understand this as an offense. They undestand it as a call for training and come running.

Is this a bad mistake, or do they have the intelligence to connect those group names together with the "let's work" with the fact that the result will be training?

Should I stick to one, consistent individual group name or can I use such a call which is valid for all three together? During the sessions I only use the original name of each one and so they can easily differenciate, who's turn it is.

 Quote: Christina Stockinger

I normally use the normal name of each dog and consistently in the same tone of voz. Unless it is an emergency situation, like an attack from an unknown dog, then it may be I yell. This happens rarely and I wonder if the dog will understand: "Oh, something is wrong now."

On the other hand: Does he then still recognize his name or does he understand it as an unknown sound, which doesn't mean anything to him. Those few times it happened, it seemed to work, but perhaps they understood it despite of differently pronounced names. And again - perhaps they recognized my whole behavior.

When I used real nicknames was when I have jokingly (jokingly for myself) called them to training sessions."Girls, lets work!" or "Chickens lets work!" or Piggies lets work!". They of course can't understand this as an offense. They undestand it as a call for training and come running.

Is this a bad mistake, or do they have the intelligence to connect those group names together with the "let's work" with the fact that the result will be training?

Should I stick to one, consistent individual group name or can I use such a call which is valid for all three together? During the sessions I only use the original name of each one and so they can easily differenciate, who's turn it is.

"Dearly beloved beings have MANY names" (old proverb) and they understand them ALL For formal training or serious emergencies, my "default mode" is their FORMAL / SERIOUS names -- Just as most Parents have always done with their Children, to mean: Listen-Up this is NOT a DRILL !!! IMHO, dogs understand words And tone...

 Quote: Christina Stockinger

Should I stick to one, consistent individual group name or can I use such a call which is valid for all three together? During the sessions I only use the original name of each one and so they can easily differenciate, who's turn it is.

As long as you are consistent with what you use and the dogs understand what you are saying, you can use commands that include all of them. My dogs will respond as a group when I use DOGS, or GIRLS. As in DOGS COME or LET'S GO GIRLS.

When Fennec joined the pack, when I used the group commands I would add "that includes you too, Fennec" so that she would respond as well.

I think voice inflection is as important as a given name.

Thunder always answered to "Old man", "Genuse" "Wizzaed" etc.

Trooper answers to "Big guy", "Buddy", "Meat head", "Dufus", etc.

All used in affectionate context.

I never called them names in anger simply because a grunt or growl from me did the trick.

Trooper can be crushed with a look so names for him MUST be happy time.

Oh, thank you all. I've had a good giggle about your ways of talking to a dog and all the name you use! So I can go on like this as long as I see they understand me. I've read on another site from a professional (???) a warning we should never do this, because we'd create confusion. I thought,: Oh God, I've done all wrong.. But on the other hand I couldn't discover any confusion in my dog's behaviors and reading your examples makes me believe you're right.

Bob, what concerns the yelling I spoke about, this is always out of my own shock or fear. I know, even this shouldn't be done like that, but it enters my mind afterwards, when it's already too late. The name of the dog should not be included, i know,. I never use it in anger, but in such situation it's all different.

What the heck is a "meat head" ? A head eating meat? And a Dufus?

Kelly, "that includes you too, Fennec" that's too funny and sweet. I'll try to use this too.

Candy, I love your proverb "Dearly beloved beings have MANY names" . How true! I'll for sure remember this. And your Listen-Up this is NOT a DRILL !!! should become a proverb too.

Thanks! Sad start for me but funny and illuminating result!

Hey, Bob, now I found "Dufus". A foolish, stupid, or inept person. In your case dog with such characteristics.. And "Meat Head": a stupid or bungling dog. Right? Shame on you! !!!

I've always talked to my dogs -- a lot! It's well-known that dogs are capable of learning a fairly large vocabulary. When I speak to mine in complete sentences, they may listen intently, but I believe they are listening for the key words that they do understand. What I believe they hear is something like "blah-blah-blah-BREAKFAST-yadda-yadda-yadda," or "twiddle-dee-dee-PLAY BALL-twiddle-dee-dum." I don't believe they understand all of the individual words of a sentence.

Likewise for nicknames. Just as a dog learns their call name, if you repeat a nickname enough times and the dog associates it with you doing something fun with her, then she is going to start thinking of that name as meaning good things, and since there is no limit to the amount of good things we should do with our dogs, why not use an endearing nickname -- or several different ones -- if you want to.

Dogs are much more attuned to our tone of voice and our body language than the actual words. They are careful observers of our mood, so those two things are crucial. I have, on occasion, discovered my dogs committing some minor infraction, and rather than getting upset about it, I have defused the situation by saying to them, "You are a very, very bad dog. Yes, you are a very bad, bad dog," BUT I'm saying it in a happy voice and with happy body language, and they are continuing to happily wiggle and wag their tails. Do they understand the words I just said? No, they are reading my body language and hearing happy sounds coming from my voice, so all is good in their minds.

Certainly, teaching a dog to respond to their individual name, whether they are alone or in a group, is important; but I see nothing wrong with using nicknames for one of them or the group of them on a casual basis.

Very cute what you're explaining., lol. Dogs are in some things near to humans if not more. I can say to my hubby "you're a very very bad fellow" in a grumbling voice, but he feels honoured! He reads my facial expression or something else. I don't succeed to fool him. Probably just a bad actress.

With my dogs it's similar, gosh, I think in between we're all married! Hopeless to try to produce an angry face or voice if it's not genuine.

When I have a training session with one of my dogs the others are free (except Charlie). Normally they watch what I'm doing with the momentary student. They often walk between us if I allow it. I can throw some treats away for the student to catch it and although the others are nearer to that treat they don't steel it even if I turn my back or walk some paces away. Darned, for me this is actually incredible. Why did I take it for granted?

Well, they all know the "leave it" and "tale it" command. This was probably the preparation. But it doesn't explain why they respect it without me uttering a single word.

I think you're absolutely right, Cheri, they probably read my posture or some unconsciosly made gestures. What do I know??? I've only learned they're awesome creatures.

I'd give a fortune if I could be a dog for two o three days, just in order to know better what's going on in their mindset and their capacities.

 Quote: Christina Stockinger

Hey, Bob, now I found "Dufus". A foolish, stupid, or inept person. In your case dog with such characteristics.. And "Meat Head": a stupid or bungling dog. Right? Shame on you! !!!

Al in the context of affection so the names them selves have no real meaning because they have no clue what they actually mean.

They only hear good things coming out of my voice.

If I would call them "my perfect little angel with an angry voice then they would connect it to me being angry.

Simple as that!

As for different words/commands for the same behavior most all of the Schutzhund people I know do this.

Platz means hit the dirt NOW,

Go lay down means do it but if you want to go over to your favorite shady spot in the yard then I'm fine with that.

It's all in our body language and voice inflection that lets the dog know exactly what we expect form them.

Nicknames work..Jazz answered to Princess..better than he answered to Jazz..and I used that only when he was marching around, looking regal lol. My Emma answered to lard butt, bighead and Becky abuser and she loved them all!