The Name Game?

[jerros]

So one of the "Home Work" projects I have for this week is to play the name game with Vash. The game requires 2 people to play. The idea is you call the pup by his name once and you treat him when he comes. The other person calls him afterwards and so on and so forth.

Your also supposed to go hide and let the pup find you when playing this game.

Well I've got a minor problem here, I'm the only one around to play this game with my pup. And if I've got a good treat theres no way in heck he's going to let me out of his sight. This dog is so food motivated if I've got a treat he'll likely treat me like a rock climbing wall to get that yummy food item.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to modify the game for my use? Or am I going to have to enlist someone else's help?

 

[Lovely]

You could try doing an ongoing game and hiding treats around the house in non-dog-accessible places. You could also teach 'no more' at the same time. I put him hands up and show that I have nothing else and the dog loses interest. Also, you can reward for the pup coming to you on his own occasionally.

Just some thoughts!

 

[corbinam]

Hmm...that's a tough one! What if you give him a treat (or two) on the ground, and you walk away to another area of the house. Then you can call his name and treat him when he comes. Then drop a couple more treats on the ground while you walk away.

 

[Gingers Mom]

I use a version of the name game to strengthen Ginger's recall.

When we're out walking and I say here name and she turns to look at me, I say "yes" and reward her. It has really worked.

I also use it in controlled situations when her attention is elsewhere. I reward just her turning to look at me.

It has strengthened her recall. She knows I have treat for her (most of the time) when I call her name.

 

[RonandJan]

I don't use treats all the time. In fact I use more praise than I do treats. McKinley is really food oriented and when he was younger, I could do nothing in training him when I had food on me. He just salivated!

Try moving around the house calmly and try without treats. Go in the kitchen........"Vash, cm'here"........lighthearted and breezy maybe with a little whistle. When he comes make a BIG deal over it without getting into playing mode and then walk away. When he settles down off to his own, go to your bedroom and repeat. Maybe treat 1 in 5 times but the rest of the time, do big neck rubs and "goooood Boy, you are the best boy, and I think your are great!

I do this with young pups for months until I see them coming to check in with me. Then this easily transforms to my "stick around" command when he is off leash out in the fields.

 

[Justicemom]

What I do with my pups. First I just do the game in the same room as me I say their name and treat , name treat etc, for the first couple sessions. Just like you were loading a clicker but your loading the name. Then I put a handful of treats in my pocket and go about my business around the house. Randomly, I will say the pups name(once) and wait for them to look at me and then treat,praise and then walk off. I start with them in the room but I want success. If they don't look I make little noises(lip smacks I guess you call them) to make them look. When they get good, I will do it in other rooms and let them find me. I never let my pups think I may not have food at first and then I start randomizing later with praise and food when they are getting the idea. Problem is all my dogs look at me when I say ones name as they think attention and/or food.