How to Train Your Older Dog to Learn a New Name

Set some quiet distraction-free time aside to train your older dog his new name. You don't want other voices or sounds to distract your dog while you're focused solely on teaching him his new name.

Prepare yourself with some toys your older dog may like and some special treats to get his attention and reward him.

Sit down with your older dog and give him lots of love and attention. This could be in the form of a brushing, a massage, just a petting session, or a general conversation. Be sure to have your older dog's attention before you begin to dish out treats and begin name training.

Sit in front of your dog. Just the fact that you have a treat should grab his attention. Say his new name and give him the treat.

Repeat this several times using several small treats, getting your dog's attention saying his name and then giving him a treat.

Over time, with short distraction-free training sessions repeating your dog's name several times and earning treats will condition him to respond when he hears that word, his name, because he will be getting a treat if he's responsive.

After several sessions with you and your dog and some treats, take training to day-to-day situations. With distractions around or while feeding your dog or when you wake up, say his name is often as possible. Anytime he looks at you after you say his name, give him a treat. Over time he will understand that is his new identity and he needs to respond when you say his name.

Start by using his name. Any time you talk to him while you are preparing his meal, use his name in the conversation as many times as you can. Every time you say his name make eye contact with him.

Anytime you talk to your older dog use his new name. Be sure you are making eye contact anytime you say his name throughout the day.

Repeat the same steps as you did in the morning with his breakfast, repeating his name in a casual conversation as you prepare his meal and he waits for you to serve it. Say his name as you're putting his bowl down.

Once a day, take a few minutes and a few extra treats and sit down with your dog just to work on saying his new name. Look him in the eye and say his name and then offer him a treat. Distract him with a toy or noise or by looking away from him and rubbing his paws and then say his name. When he looks up at you, give him a treat.

Your old dog will take some time getting used to his new name. However, with lots of repetition and practice, he will soon know that he has a new name and a new caring home in which to live. Be sure to use his name any opportunity you have so that he understands and knows his new name as soon as possible.

Choose a name you think best fits your new older dog. Be sure you are certain on the name as you don’t want to confuse him again expecting him to learn yet another new name.

Look your dog in the eyes and say his name.

Each time you say your older dog’s name, give him a treat. He will soon associate the name he hears with the reward of getting a treat.

Before you give your new older dog a meal, say his name. Sit or stand near him and talk to him, saying his name many times during the conversation. Be cautious with being too close to his food as he may be territorial, especially if he was neglected or abused.

Anytime you talk to your older dog, say his name first and then end the conversation with his name.

Refrain from calling your dog anything except his name until he understands what his name is. This means do not shorten his name or use cute nicknames to communicate with your older dog for quite some time.

Set time aside for name games with your older dog. This could be some time alone when you say his name, get his attention, and give him a treat repeatedly or say his name and toss a treat, then say his name again when he gets the treat. Repeating his name will condition him over time to understand what that word means to him.