When I was taught how to train a dog for obedience, I was taught to only use the dogs name when doing the recall. I do my best to praise and motivate using an upbeat voice and body language. When correcting a dog I try to never use their name. This is because you want their name to mean something good is coming. If you are correcting a dog and use their name they will associate their name with negativity.
The way I see it, when you call your dog, you use their name to get their attention, and then you give them the "come" command. When you call them it should be a happy upbeat "Fluffy Come" and pat your legs and make it exciting for them to come to you, when "Fluffy" does come, they should be praised and told they are a good dog. If you were to call out to "Fluffy" and use a gruff deep voice and stand and make no movement, "Fluffy is more than likely to look at you and walk (or run) the other way.
Recently at a family get together, my aunt was trying to get her adorable 5 month old Cocker Spaniel puppy to come out from underneath the table, she was bent down and saying "Ellie Come, Ellie Come!" Her voice was loud and deep and Ellie was backing farther and farther under the table, well out of my aunts reach. I recommended to my aunt to change the tone of her voice to a happy tone, and to entice Ellie out with it. IT WORKED and Ellie bounded out from under the table into my aunts arms, and was given lots of praise. Just by changing her voice and body posture was enough for Ellie to process, and realize that her mum wasn't mad at her, and it was better to be with my aunt getting praise than being under the table.
Cheers,
Hana @ K9 O'Hana
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