"Why Does a Puppy Have a Name? Teaching Puppy Name Training as the First Command"
- Peter Bonney Director
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
By Bonnie’s Dog Obedience & Puppy School – Brisbane’s Most Experienced Puppy Trainers and Master Puppy Trainer Peter Bonney. I have documented this as best I can so our very valued clients can have a consistent reference to get this right. Take your time.
"Most new puppy parents proudly tell us their dog’s name. Then we ask: 'Why does a puppy have a name in puppy name training?'" - “This is Bob!” they say with a smile, as a fluffy little tail wags beneath them. Then we ask our favourite questions? "Why eye contact matters"?
“Why does a puppy have a name?”
The answers are often similar, but not necessarily correct:
“So I can call my dog.”
“So he knows I’m talking to him.”
“So he comes when I call him.”
“Because every dog needs a name!”
"So she can say hello"? mmmm
Many don't even know how to answer this question at all. Of course, all of these responses seem logical… But—they’re not actually the full story.
After over 53 years helping families train well-behaved puppies in Brisbane, we teach something very different:
⭐ Your Puppy’s Name "Is Their FIRST Command"
A dog’s name is not just an identification label.
A dog’s name is not for casual conversations.
A dog’s name is not for constant chatter or background noise.
Your puppy’s name is a command—and it means one very specific thing:
👉 “Look at me immediately and hold my eyes - Focus on ME.”
That’s it. Nothing more. Nothing less.
The reality is that their name must become the first command the dog learns from their new family pack. It is virtually impossible to train a puppy or older dog without them first responding reliably to their name. Yes this training is for all dogs of any age. It is raised with clients during our "Private Training Session either in their home or at our training centre. Whether you want reliable recalls, loose-leash walking, calm behaviour around children, or polite manners around other dogs, it all starts with focus—and focus begins with the name.
For more on integrating your puppy into the family pack, check out our article on Understanding Dog Pack Structure, where we explain how pack dynamics help build a harmonious relationship.
🐶 Meet Bob – Our Puppy
For this article, our puppy is named Bob (because Bob is always a super fun name!).
When Bob hears: “Bob!”
He must learn: “Stop what you’re doing, turn immediately, and look directly into my eyes.”
This eye contact is the foundation of all communication. Without it, Bob is simply guessing. With it, Bob is learning.
🎯 Why Eye Contact Matters? (and Why Puppies Find It Hard)
Puppies are naturally distracted, excitable, and curious. When they join their new family pack, they don’t yet understand human communication. They don’t automatically read faces or follow directions. Body language is essential. Master Puppy Trainer Peter Bonney will often say to clients, "When starting to puppy name train, communicate with your puppy, pretend they are deaf." Why? Then clients understand that simply talking to their dog is not enough. They must use their body language to guide and direct - "Show and Tell" not just tell.
Eye contact:
Builds connection
Increases trust
Improves communication
Helps your puppy regulate their emotions
Teaches your puppy that you are their guide and Alfa
This is why name recognition is not optional—it is essential.
To dive deeper into how body language plays a role, read our post on Decoding Dog Body Language: Understanding Their Environment, Interactions, and Commands, which explores vital cues for effective canine communication.
🥳 How to Teach Bob His Name – The Bonnie’s Method
At Bonnie’s Dog Obedience and Puppy School, we use a calm, positive, confidence-building approach based on positive reinforcement.
"How to Teach Puppy Name Training – The Bonnie’s Method" step by step:
Set Up the Right Environment
Use a quiet space.
Puppy on a lead or in a playpen if needed.
Have soft treats or a favourite toy ready.
Keep sessions short—1–2 minutes only.
(If you haven’t yet read our articles on crate training or playpen usage, visit: 👉 www.bonnies.com.au/articles for more foundational tips.)
Use the “Happy – Watch Me!” Voice
Say Bob’s name once: “Bob!” and make sure as you say their name, that your hand with a treat goes directly to the puppies nose and -
Immediately bring your hand (holding a treat) up toward your eyes. This creates a clear hand signal: ✨ Nose → Treat → Eyes ✨ Using BODY LANGUAGE your puppy will follow
The moment Bob looks into your eyes—even for half a second— 🎉 Mark it FAST! -
Say your marker word: “YES!”
Your tone should be happy, high-pitched, and quick. Speed matters—the marker must occur at the exact moment Bob succeeds.
Then reward immediately.
We emphasise motivating and encouraging your dog to FOCUS using a treat or toy, always directing the puppy's nose upward with that clear hand signal.
Start With 1 Second of Eye Contact
Do not rush this.
Hold for one second only, then: “YES!” + reward.
Practice a few repetitions.
Only Increase Time Every Two Days
Puppies break eye contact because they get overwhelmed or confused.
If you ask too much, too soon, Bob will look away.
If that happens: shorten the duration again, build confidence gradually, keep sessions fun, light, and positive.
Increase the length of time by 1 second every 2 days or so. Don't be in a hurry to have the puppy lock onto your eyes for too long.
This should be done by all family members—but very young children must be supervised to ensure consistency and safety.
🚫 Don’t Overuse the Name when you are puppy name training:
Your puppy’s name is NOT a game. It is NOT background noise. It is NOT to be used fifty times a minute.
Say it only when:
You are training
You want immediate focus
You are prepared to reward the behaviour
We want it to be fun when we are training them, of course, but if you use Bob’s name constantly, it stops having meaning.
Always use the "Yes" marker. Speed is very necessary when marking the dog's success—every time they are successful. The marker, along with a happy pitch and tone, tells the dog they are excellent.
🧠 Why This Method Works
This exercise creates:
Better attentiveness
Reliable communication
A calmer, more connected puppy
The foundation for all future obedience
A stronger bond between puppy and family
This is exactly why our award-winning courses start with focus training, long before advanced obedience. Establishing focus is a key factor in your puppy's obedience training, as highlighted in our Essential Tips for Raising a Well-Behaved Puppy: A Guide for New Puppy Owners, where we recommend starting this practice early, even incorporating it into meal times.
A dog that doesn’t recognise their name as a command is like a child who cannot yet read—they’re simply not ready for school.
⭐ Pitch and Tone Before Words
Peter’s Trainer’s Tip: Your puppy will always respond to emotion before language. If your tone is high, excited, or musical, your puppy becomes excited too—long before they understand what the word means. Use a calm, steady tone for the name, and save the cheerful pitch for your marker word, “Yes!”
This helps your puppy separate focus from celebration.
“Bob learns to focus when his name is said calmly. The excitement comes later—with a fast, happy ‘Yes!’ to mark success.”
🎓 Trainer’s Note from Master Trainer Peter Bonney
Peter’s Note: “After more than 50 years of training dogs, one thing has never changed—dogs listen to your tone and pitch long before they understand your words. When teaching your puppy their name, keep your tone calm and purposeful. That’s how we build clarity, confidence, and real communication. Save the upbeat pitch for your marker word "Yes". That’s the moment your puppy should feel proud.”
For additional insights into puppy behaviors that complement name training, such as addressing biting or nipping, see our article on Understanding Why Puppies Bite, Nip, or Mouth: Tips to Curb Unwanted Behavior.
🌟 Want More Help Training Your Puppy?
At Bonnie’s, we specialise in positive, real-world, long-lasting results for Brisbane dogs and families.
📌 Private one-on-one training with Master Trainer Peter Bonney 📌 Puppy School 📌 Dog Obedience Classes 📌 Behavioural Consultations
Visit our full article library and course bookings at: 👉 www.bonnies.com.au
💛 Final Thoughts
Your puppy’s name is their first and most important command. When Bob learns that “Bob!” means “Look at me immediately”, everything else becomes easier—walking, coming when called, manners, calmness, obedience, and even family harmony.
Start slowly. Be consistent. And above all—make training fun, clear, and rewarding.
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