Dogs' Names: I find it fascinating that dogs are able to learn their names and learn them so quickly. I wonder what they think that sound means. It's not used to call them for food...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I find it fascinating that dogs are able to learn their names and learn them so quickly. I wonder what they think that sound means. It's not used to call them for food very often. We adopted sister pugs as puppies. We named them Rosie and Sophie, names with very similar sounds: "O-EE" and "O-EE," with only the initial sounds to distinguish between them. They learned their names very quickly and even knew the name of the other dog.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

jerryc41 wrote:

I find it fascinating that dogs are able to learn their names and learn them so quickly. I wonder what they think that sound means. It's not used to call them for food very often. We adopted sister pugs as puppies. We named them Rosie and Sophie, names with very similar sounds: "O-EE" and "O-EE," with only the initial sounds to distinguish between them. They learned their names very quickly and even knew the name of the other dog.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Tradio: "I wonder what my dog named me." I wonder how you were able to post that picture with posting any letters.

Funny you should post that. My son and I realized last week that my dog doesn't know me as "Jerry." To him, I'm "Dad" or "Daddy." I'm sure that's how he thinks of me.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Cats are generally slower to learn their names than dogs, but when we had 4 (so you know we’re a little wacko) somehow they learned the collective “cats” applied to all of them. Each knew his/her name and only that one came when called (if they were so inclined), but if I called “cats”, they all appeared.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

TriX wrote:

Cats are generally slower to learn their names than dogs, but when we had 4 (so you know we’re a little wacko) somehow they learned the collective “cats” applied to all of them. Each knew his/her name and only that one came when called (if they were so inclined), but if I called “cats”, they all appeared.

I often wondered if cats just don't want to be bothered responding.

I heard a story - maybe on Johnny Carson. A woman had a lot of cats, but she didn't see Toby. She called, "Toby!", and all the cats turned and looked at Toby. As I said, it was a story on TV.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

I once adopted a dog who had the name Hugo Boss. I hated the name and I think he did also because he wouldn't answer when I called him. A name change was the solution. His new name was Kobayashi Maru...Kobie for short. In 15 minutes he knew his new name and responded to it. He was my smartest dog and loved going to obedience classes.

I would say that all the cats (except the latest arrival) in this house know their names because when I call to one of them that one will turn their ears, stretch paws or lift their heads while the others don't move. Expecting one to get up from their nice comfy location and come to me is probably not going to happen unless special food is involved.

Dodie

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

HOHIMER

My cat’s name must be “Click-Click”. How do I know? Every time I click the food can with a spoon, he comes running! I have been doing this since he was very young. Now if I need him to come in from outside, or from his hiding spot, I just click the food can. I always give him some food from the can when he arrives. Pavlov taught me how to do this.

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

And then there is the electric can opener method of calling the cat. :-)

kvanhook Loc: Oriental, NC

My cat years ago learned that her name was Dammit. I always said "Dammit Cat!"

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

luvmypets wrote:

I once adopted a dog who had the name Hugo Boss. ... (show quote)

Funny. Did Kobie like watching Star Trek? : )

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

whatdat wrote:

And then there is the electric can opener method of calling the cat. :-)

Yes, that's like magic!

SteveR Loc: Michigan

TriX wrote:

Cats are generally slower to learn their names than dogs, but when we had 4 (so you know we’re a little wacko) somehow they learned the collective “cats” applied to all of them. Each knew his/her name and only that one came when called (if they were so inclined), but if I called “cats”, they all appeared.

"If they were so inclined" is the operative phrase. When we had our great cat Tigger (he knew his jobs...one, to stay in our daughter's bed until she was asleep. He could sense it when she was) I could call and call him and he wouldn't come. Finally I sussed out his favorite place, which was in the attic above the garage which was nice and warm. Such a nice place to sleep wait and for prey.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

jerryc41 wrote:

Funny. Did Kobie like watching Star Trek? : )

No, he never paid any attention to the tv. I guess he wasn't a Trekkie even though I gave him a Trekkie name.

Dodie

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

SteveR wrote:

"If they were so inclined" is the operative phrase. When we had our great cat Tigger (he knew his jobs...one, to stay in our daughter's bed until she was asleep. He could sense it when she was) I could call and call him and he wouldn't come. Finally I sussed out his favorite place, which was in the attic above the garage which was nice and warm. Such a nice place to sleep wait and for prey.

Yep, cats unerringly find the warm (and sunny) spots - mine loves saunas in front of the heat ducts in the winter and seeks out the best sunny spot in the morning.