Naming your Dog

What's in a Name?

Soon after you bring home your new puppy or dog, you'll begin the name game. What should you call your new friend? If you adopt a dog that has been previously named, you can teach him a new name, but it will take some training. In any case, consistency is key with training, so decide early what to name your dog and stick to it.

Here, we'll assume you are naming a new dog.

Name possibilities are endless, some of which you may not want to call out loud. (Do you want to yell, "Come home, Stinker!" every day?) While you may have the perfect pooch name picked out before you bring your puppy home, keep an open mind until you get to know your new friend. It's okay to wait a few days to name your pup. You may learn that her spunky nature disagrees with the name Grace. Or perhaps your pet's sly behavior suits the name Brutus but not Fido.

Brainstorm a list of possible names, and keep these pointers in mind as you select a winner:

Noah sounds like "no." Names that rhyme with no could be confused for the command no. A dog named Noah that hears "No!" will be excited you called his name and will not get the message to stop a bad behavior.

Keep it short. Two-syllable names are best. Practice saying the name and see how easily it rolls off your tongue. If you choose a name that is too long, you'll probably resort to a nickname anyway.

Test the name. How does your dog respond? Of course, he will not realize it is his name at first, but if you get an adverse reaction, you may wish to reconsider the moniker.

You can also search online for name ideas. You'll find typical names for your dog's breed, most popular names, Hollywood names, historical names, political names. Here is a list of prompts to get your creative juices flowing:

What physical characteristics make your dog special? (Why do you think there are so many dogs named Spot?)

What was your favorite childhood movie or book character?

Name your favorite flowers or plants: Daisy, Rose, Basil...The list goes on.

Can you think of foods that would make interesting dog names?

Consider your favorite hobbies and the jargon associated with them. Music, dance, crafts, and sports terms can double as inventive dog names.

Avoid naming your dog after someone you know personally, unless the individual has a great sense of humor and is fond of dogs.

Peruse baby name books, where you'll find hundreds of possibilities.

Dog Lovers Daily Companion