Doggone Etiquette —

By Any Other

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:           

You know your name is not really Sweetie-Pie, no matter how many times you may hear it. Even if it is, you have every dog-given right to ignore it until your Person Who Must Be Obeyed comes up with something better. On the other hand, if it’s the name that gets you lots of treats, taken for nice walks and a spot on the sofa – go for it! Dogs should connect their names to what is enjoyable, which is probably why lots of dogs think their name is Cookie.  

Let’s see if we can clear it up this language business so everyone knows what we’re talking about. (“What” is a terrible dog name, as I know you’ll agree.)

A Word to the Dog’s Owners:          

This topic came up when I saw a list of the top ten dogs’ names for 2008. For starters, only two of the ten were for males! No. 2 was Bailey (which is a perfectly good dog name) but No. 6 was the best of all ten – Buddy. It is considered a good name among trainers because it has the “hard” sounds of “b” and “d.” Soft sounds, as in Annie or Molly, are not good because they can be mumbled and therefore don’t get the dog’s prompt attention. Of the eight female names, only two passed the hard sound test: Maggie and Bella.                

Then there are dog names that are completely confusing to the dog when it comes to basic obedience training.  For example, pity the dog named Spit when his owner is trying to teach him “Sit.” Or how about explaining to Rover you want him to go “Over” a jump. Clown and “Down” or Gidget and “Fetch it” are not much better. No doubt you are beginning to see how confusing we make life for our dogs. As referred to above, What (or spelled Watt) is typical of these poor choices for a dog’s name. Just think how many times you use that word in everyday conversation, and how often as an exclamation.        

Apart from canine names, there are other words and phrases associated with dogs that are different, but mean the same. Many of them are connected to the world of show dogs. For example, pets “shed” but show dogs “blow coat.” Pets “beg” and show dogs “bait.” Pets “stand” and show dogs “stack.” Pets are “boy” or “girl” but show dogs are “dog” or “bitch.” Perhaps now you can see, it’s not only the dogs that can be confused by our language!                          

Cheerful chatter is a wonderful means of communication with your dog and is beneficial to both of you. He is hearing the sound and tone of your voice, and perhaps even picking up an occasional word he recognizes – his name, or key words such as “walk” or “dinner.” However, it is important to stick to simple, one-word instructions or commands when you want to tell Rufus to do anything (or not to do something!). All obedience-training commands are either one word – Heel, Sit, Down, Come, Stay, etc. – or are said as one, for example, “Drop it” or “Leave it” with emphasis on the first word.          

Because dogs listen and react to the tone of our voice, it’s important to use a friendly, spirited voice for “Come” or “Let’s go” – action things you and Rufus are going to do together. Use a firmer, but friendly (not dictatorial) tone for “Down” because it places the dog in a submissive position. You’re just after obedience; you don’t have to lord it over him!                       

Just one other thing while we’re on the subject.  Constant repetition of any command is merely babble to the dog. It goes in one ear and right out the other!                                                                                    

Until next time – BE GOOD!

-  Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog fancy Magazine.

In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me! which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award last year.