The most critical word any dog will ever learn in its lifetime is its name. When dog owners name their pets, it gives the dogs a prompt that they’re being called or noticed. However, choosing a name for a dog is a challenging task for any new dog owner.
Fur parents who don’t want to hassle themselves with this process will go on a more natural route. This route involves using the Internet and searching for a name generator or a list of popular dog names. Though, in doing that, the name will become plain and ordinary. To help these fur parents, we’ve compiled the top ten tips for picking out a perfect name for their dogs.
1. Physical Attributes
The most common way to name a dog is by looking at its appearance, and this is the easiest way. For example, Dalmatians typically have a name like Domino or Freckles, or big-eared dogs are sometimes called Dumbo. Naturally, do not go for the obvious one, pick a unique one that best describes the dog.
2. Family Name
When picking out a name for their dog, some people add their family name at the end. These people are usually the ones who prefer fur babies more than human ones and some families do it too. Families attach their family name to the dog’s name to make it more personal. Although, adding the family is more of an accessory rather than being useful.
3. Personality and Quirks
Like humans, dogs have their personalities and quirks. Whether it’s their goofy smile or how serious they are, dogs are unique and wacky in their way. Dog owners want to consider these traits when naming their dogs.
Some people can also use a unique trait of their dog’s breed. Bloodhounds, Beagles, and Basset Hounds have the most sensitive smell, which makes Sniffer or Sherlock great names.
4. Food
Foods and beverages are brilliant sources of inspiration for a dog’s name. Most of the time, the dog’s name origin is from the favorite meal of the owner, like Vanilla. It can also be the favorite food of the dog, like Carrot or Bananas. It is a bit weird for some, but food names are catchy and easy to remember.
5. Keep It Under Two Syllables
Having a two-syllable name is effortless, especially when paired with a command. Although some owners tend to lengthen their dog’s name, having only two syllables lets them process it quickly.
If long names are unavoidable, owners should prepare a shorter version of the name or a nickname. For example, Severina can become Sevie, and Benzy is a shorter variation of the name Sir Benzington.
6. No Negative Connotations
Dog owners should refrain from associating their dog’s name with negative connotations. No one would want to call their dog in public with an awful name.
Avoid names that are culturally inappropriate or would stir up a conversation within a specific group. These names include racial slurs, common insults, insensitive slang terms, or curse words. This tip also means disassociating your dog’s name to fictional characters like Cujo.
If you own a pitbull, you may want to avoid any name pertaining to danger, force, strength, and so on.
7. Stay Away from Command Words
Fur parents should consider the words they’ll use to command their dogs when picking out their names. Dog names should not have a similar sound or rhyme with dog command words. Names that rhyme with “sit,” “stay,” and “come” creates confusion and makes the dog less receptive to training. Good examples are “Kit” for “sit,” and “Moe” for “no.”
8. Make an Appropriate Name for the Public
People with dogs need to guarantee that their dog’s name is unique and appropriate for public consumption. One way to do this is to avoid popular names like Spot, Sam, or Buster. This way, dog owners can call out their dog at the park without attracting other dogs with the same name.
People should also avoid names that are too indecent for children and some adults. It would cause people to be confused and sometimes disgusted.
9. Track Your Dog’s Heritage
Another great source of inspiration is a dog’s genealogy or your dog’s history. People can pick a name related to their dog’s origin like Corgis can have Welsh names like Griffin or Alwyn. Also, fur parents can use a term associated with the place they got their pup. If they got their dog in San Francisco, they could name it Goldie or Fran. The registry your dog belongs to may have some constraints so pay attention to them.
10. End It with a Vowel
When creating out a dog’s name, people should make a name that ends with a vowel or a short “a.” It can also end with a vowel-sounding consonant like Sunny or Silky. Sound plays an important role when thinking of a dog’s name because they can discern higher frequency ranges than humans. With a vowel-ending name, people can quickly get their dog’s attention.
If a vowel-ending name doesn’t sit well for some, they can opt to create one with a hard consonant. Names with “c,” “k,” or “t” like Chuck or Turnip help dogs to differentiate its name from other sounds.
How to Teach Your Dog to Recognize Their Name
After naming a dog, its owner should take the time to teach the moniker to them. Unlike human babies, puppies do not have a name when they are born; that is why they need to learn it through conditioning. Here are some pointers for people when introducing a moniker to their puppies:
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Motivate with Treats
Giving treats helps dogs to get acquainted with their name. Dog owners need to find a quiet place when training their pups to recognize its name. This way, there is no distraction from outside noise or anyone. Every time they call out the name, they should throw a treat on the floor. When the dog gets it, please wait for the dog to wander off and call it again.
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Verbal Cues
Once the dog gained a bit of familiarity with its name, dog owners can now start some proper training. They can attach a command word or a verbal cue after saying the dog’s name. When done correctly, appraise the dog with positive connotations and treats.
Never link a negative connotation with the dog’s name. It can bring up adverse reactions and can even make the dog dislike their given name.
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Use It Every Time
After training the dog with command words with their name, use it very often. People should also slowly incorporate distractions like people or going to a park. This scenario can test whether the dog picked up its name.
Conclusion
Dogs are very accepting of any name their owner will give them. However, this fact doesn’t mean a person can provide any name for their furry companion. Dog owners, especially new ones, should choose a name that is unique and perfect for their furry companion.
Last Updated on by Himani Rawat
