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Brain game, medium, 5 min

Teach Your Dog Toy Names: The Vocabulary Game

Learning words is real mental work. Even if your dog only learns a few names, the practice builds focus and play.

You need

Two very different toys
Treats or a game of tug as a reward · Check price on Amazon

How to play

Play with one toy while saying its name often ('Duck! Get Duck!').
Put that toy on the floor and say 'get Duck'. Reward when your dog picks it up.
Next day, add a second, very different toy on the floor, but ask for Duck.
Reward the right choice. If wrong, stay neutral and try again closer.
Once reliable, teach the second toy's name the same way.

Make it harder

Add a third toy
Ask for toys in another room
Ask your dog to put toys in a basket

Safety

Use durable toys and keep sessions short so your dog doesn't get frustrated.

Take it further

Karen Pryor i-Click clicker: From the people who popularized clicker training: marks the exact moment your dog gets it right (optional; a word works too). Shop at Karen Pryor Clicker Training (10% off with code GOODDOG10)
Tug toy: Gives puppy teeth a legal target and makes a great reward. Supervise rope toys and bin frayed ones. Check price on Amazon

Optional. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. All our gear picks

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Want a full program?

Our plans cover one problem at a time. If you'd like a complete step-by-step course built around brain games, Brain Training for Dogs by certified trainer Adrienne Farricelli is the one we point people to. Read our honest take first, including who it's not for.

See Brain Training for Dogs