How to Confidently Pick the Perfect Name for Your Dog
It might feel like you are making a really big decision when it comes to selecting a name for your dog. You want to pick a name that fits their personality, not something too embarrassing to call out at the park, and a name that just 'feels right'.
The silver lining is that you won’t find the perfect name for your dog, and that’s totally fine. Most dogs are able to adapt to whatever name you choose within a few days. More important than finding the right name for your dog is finding a name that works for you and your family.
Why Your Dog's Name Actually Matters
Over the years, you're going to call your dog the same name thousands of times. It will be what you say to call them back from the park, get their focus when you whip out a treat, or redirect them when they're staring at your sandwich.
Studies have shown that dog cognition is most responsive to names that have one or two syllables, especially when they have a hard stopping sound at the end. That's why names like Max, Bella or Charlie are so popular. Dogs can easily distinguish them from the other words you say. However, many dogs with names that are longer or have softer sounds still perform just as well.
How to Choose a Name Step by Step
When thinking of names for dogs, please consider the following tips:
1. Since names for dogs are very personal, we suggest taking a couple of days to consider a name before deciding. Names should reflect the personality of a dog, and the name should fit with the dog’s personality.
2. Try calling the name out in your dog training space or kitchen multiple times to see if it feels good or if it feels strange to you. Try to imagine it before visiting dog parks to see if it feels good.
3. The most important thing is to see if the name fits. If there are occasions when the name has been used in a positive way, in a negative way, or if the person feels sad, the name is probably good.
4. Try to avoid any names that could possibly rhyme or that are similar to commands because dogs won’t be able to determine if you’re saying the name you chose or giving a command.
5. Try to make sure that the name is easy to say and won’t be awkward for others to say. If someone else in your home does not like the name very much, it will probably get really old.
Common Naming Approaches That Work Well
Some people name dogs based on their appearance, like Shadow for a black dog or Copper for a dog with a reddish hue. Others prefer names from books, movies, or names of people in history. Food names have been popular for many years and honestly, they often suit dogs perfectly.
What really seems to be important is that the name holds some kind of meaning for you. This could come from a funny incident during the first week you got the dog, a family custom, or just a name you have always liked. It doesn't make a difference. Each time you call the dog, the significance of the name will shine through.
What to Do If You Pick Wrong
Most of the time, dogs will learn their names in a few days to a week. They can also learn new names. Animals in shelters and rescues get renamed all the time, and the dogs adjust quickly.
If you take your dog home, and after a week or two you decide the name isn't working, pick a new one and start using it consistently. Give treats and attention when you use the new name, and most dogs will respond to it within days. You're not stuck with a name that doesn't work for your family.