Dogs Should Have a Middle Name

When correcting your dog, it is important, and sometimes critical they have a middle name. When I heard, “Gayle get in here,” I was motivated; however, “Gayle Marie, get in here right now!” – got me to run (well, it may have been the other way, but I usually would go to whom used that tone and my proper name.)

All of my dogs have a middle name. They don’t know if it’s masculine or feminine and no one makes fun of Moby for being named “Moby Marie.” Now that I think of it, that could explain a lot of his insecure behaviors. That’s another post.

If your dog is “pure” and comes with papers (we don’t know what that is around here), then they most likely have a given name much like my Catholic friends. It is useful to have more than just a first name for those times when you “mean” what you say.

I’m a trainer and I know that when we’re at home hanging out with our pets, we’re cool with calling them a nickname or something cute. But, when they are outside and we want them in yesterday, their name suddenly becomes proper! hmmm. . .

Try it! Call your dog using their given name and an added middle name and see if they don’t look at you with a new-found respect. Maybe, it won’t exactly be respect, but it will certainly be easier for you than dragging out a name when demanding something like “Spoooooot get in here.” “Spotty-James, get in here right now” sounds much better – doesn’t it?

Dog training isn’t always serious. . .and if it is, you’re doing something wrong!

What’s your dog’s “real” name? I won’t tell!