Picking a Name

Deciding on what to name your dog is a big deal. The name you choose is going to be with that dog for a lifetime and you will have to be comfortable saying it at doggie class, the park etc. Name choosing is one of the fun things you can do before you get your new dog with your kids or family members.

Traditionally, herding breeds are supposed to have one syllable names. I didn't know this when I got Lucy, but have been known to enter her as "Lu" in herding competitions to conform to that tradition! I did follow the rule in naming Lex and my next BC will be dubbed "Liv."

I have also noticed that most people that participate in dog sports choose one syllable names, regardless of the breed. It is a lot easier to shout, "Ace, here!" or "Go, Flick!" than "Snickerdoodle, come!" or "Bellini, lie-down."

Having been immersed in dog land for the past 7.5 years, I have heard a lot of awful names and some great names. An awful name for me is one that is too long or one that just doesn't match the dog or is plain ridiculous! Of course we have the played out names as well.

Awful Names
- Cheeseburger (yes, I met a chocolate lab pup named that)
- Angel (there are just sooo many Angels out there)
- DOG (pronounced by the letter: Dee-O-Gee)
- Einstein
- Trout (really, who names their dog after a fish?)
- Delilah
- Posyanne
- Daisy May

I hope some of those gave you laugh! Here are some of the more original names I have heard.

Not so Ordinary Names
- Moss
- Remy
- Jet
- Ash
- Finn
- Trix
- Kai
- Midge
- Sage
- Bryn

Great Classic Names
- Lily
- Ace
- Bear
- Duke
- Ripley
- Riley
- Yogi

Shelter Dogs
Sometimes people who rescue dogs that already have a name, feel obligated to keep that name. The new owner fears that the dog won't "know" a new name or that he must have some attachment to the original name. Most trainers actually recommend that an adoptive owner CHANGES the new dog's name completely because it is more than likely that the rescue dog may have negative associations with her original name. Perhaps the owner yelled, "Coco, NO!!!" at the dog frequently or just yelled the name. Coco is then not a name, but another word for "No" in the dog's eyes. Sometimes adoptive dog owners change the new dog's name because they don't like it, but they try to choose a similar sounding name for the dog's sake. Mollie becomes Millie, or Taylor becomes Tyler, JoJo becomes BoBo. It is really in the best interest for the dog to change the name so it does not sound similar. Mollie should then become Lacey or Kate.

To build a positive association with a name for a new dog or adoptive dog, say the dog's name and pair it with something very tasty, like meat or cheese or a high value dog treat. The name then becomes a signal for a reward and your dog will give you rapt attention when her name is called.

Be sure to not overuse a name. If you say "Bella, Bella, Bella" all the time to get Bella's attention, she will soon start to tune the name "Bella" out completely. You do not need to say your dog's name before every command either. Although difficult, it is important to also not use your dog's name in a negative fashion. Avoid yelling the dog's name or using a drawn out low tone if he is in trouble, like "Saaaaaaammmm!" If you catch your dog jumping on the counter, a firm "Off" will due, or you can say "Naughty!" rather than using the dog's name.

Have any silly, awful or original names you want to share? Comment please!