Name Is Not a Command

Your dog's name is an attention cue, not a command. It means one thing: "Look at me, something is coming." It is the tap on the shoulder before the real message.

Most dogs that ignore their name were taught to. Two habits do the damage.

The first is overuse. When the name becomes a verbal tic — said while you cook, scroll, or talk — it turns into wallpaper the dog stops hearing.

The second is pairing the name with bad news. If the dog hears it before scolding, nail trims, or being dragged away from fun, the name starts predicting trouble instead of attention.