How to Teach a Border Collie its Name

Border collies are highly intelligent, highly energetic dogs that are often used for herding. These characteristics can make training a border collie easy or very difficult depending on the ways you go about training. Teaching your border collie his name will help you get his attention for a command and ease confusion in a multi-dog household. Read on to learn how to teach a border collie its name.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Begin inside the house where there are fewer distractions. Border collies can get very distracted outside. Starting inside sets your dog up for success in the training process and will make it easier in the long run.

2. Say your dog's name in a happy tone of voice. If your dog makes even the slightest sign of responding, even a slight turn of her head, reward your dog with a treat or a pat. Make a big fuss over it.

3. Repeat your dog's name a minute or so later and again make a big fuss if the dog responds to his name. Within a few tries, your dog will likely begin to associate her name with getting treats or attention.

4. Practice throughout the day in short bursts for several days. When you are working on having your dog learn his name, you should only focus on this during that session. Keep other training activities for a different training session during the day.

5. Use your dog's name during training and throughout the day to reinforce their recognition once they respond regularly to it. You can say your dog's name when you let her inside, when you feed him or when she gets in and out of the car.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't associate your dog's name with "bad" things. If your dog hates to take a bath, don't use his name when you get him in the tub. Using her name with a "bad" thing will make her less likely to respond to her name when it's really needed.

Resources

• Dog Names