How To Choose A Dog Name
Adopting a new pooch is a wonderful thing, but it also comes with various responsibilities. You have to feed, bathe and take care of her, but before all of that, you must also be able to choose a fitting name for your new darling. Your dog’s name reflects her personality and is also essential for training success. If you’re having a hard time finding the perfect name for your new pooch, here are several simple steps you must remember.
What You’ll Need:
Pen
Paper
Book of baby names
PC with internet
Steps:
Observe your pet. Watch out for distinguishable and unique characteristics or traits she might possess that might help you think of the best name. For example, if she likes to jump around, you can name her “Jumper,” or if she falls asleep while being tickled under the chin, you can call her “Tickles.”
Research. Thinking of a name from out of the blue might be time-consuming, not to mention nerve-wracking. Find sources where you can get numerous choices for your darling. Using a book of baby names is a great tactic. You can also surf the Internet for more ideas.
List your choices. It’s a great tactic, so you’ll see all your possible options. Try making a long list first, then narrow it down to the top ten, then top five, until you finally choose one.
Ask the opinion of other people. You might have a difficult time making the decision all by yourself. Consult your family members or friends and ask them which name they think suits the puppy best. They might give you a lot of advice, but they’ll help shed light on which name to choose.
Consider family names. Using the name of a friend or a family member is good, but make sure that person doesn’t mind having a dog named after him or her. Some people think this is a compliment or find it funny, while others think it’s offensive. Ask them first if it’s okay with them before using their name for your pet.
Opt for a name with two syllables. Your pet might confuse one-syllable names with basic commands. For example, Kit might sound like “Sit”. Names with three or more syllables can be a mouthful to pronounce, like Delilah or Archibald. If you really prefer a long name though, make sure you have an apt nickname for it. For example, Gregory can be shortened to Greggy.
Do a test run for the name. Once you’ve picked out the perfect one, try it for a day or two. You’ll know immediately whether it’s a keeper or not.
Be consistent with using the name. Make sure you mention it every time you’re with your pooch. That’ll make her more accustomed to the name. When she responds to the name you choose, give your darling plenty of hugs and little treats as a reward.
Creative Doggie Name Tips
Inject a little humor in your pet’s name. For example, name your tough bulldog “Cuddles” or christen your happy and friendly Labrador “Spike.”
Name your pet after your favorite food. Mallows, Brownie, Cherry and Choco are great choices.
Name dogs after celebrities or celebrity dogs. Charlize Theron has a dog named Denver. If you don’t like that, then name your pup Charlize instead.
Fond of comics and cartoons? Name your pet after a famous comic or cartoon character. Goofy, Dino, Snoopy and Astro are wonderful examples.
Find a lovely name from another language or country, like Pierre (French), Kaiser (German) or Murphy (Irish).
Dog names are just as important as human names, so be careful when picking one out for your darling. Once you’ve settled on the best name, say it in the most loving manner. Your pet will respond to it positively, and you’ll both find it easy to use the adorable name.