How to Pick a Name For Your Dog

For you aspiring dog trainers out there, you should be aware that there's one word your dog will pick up more quickly than all of the others: its own name. Because we'll use a dog's name so frequently even when we're not consciously training the dog, the dog begins to pick up on it. That's why you'll want to make sure that when you pick your dog's name you use something that can stick for life.

First, pick a name that has one or two syllables - usually something that has a strong accent on it, because this is easier for dogs to understand. If the dog hears "Jack!" it will know right away that someone is calling it. If you use "Aristotle," the name won't exactly have the same kind of snap to it. The dog might even simply respond to one of the syllables in its name, not the entire name itself.

It's generally better to pick a "dog" name and not a human name for a dog - forget the "Jack" example from above. This is especially true if you have kids. It's important for people in your family to recognize that your dog is only a dog and is not on par with the rest of the family. As strict as this may seem, your dog will have a healthier life if it realizes its role in the family is not as important as an actual family member. It will also make your training more effective. Don't worry; dogs are used to this role and can be quite happy in it. More traditional dog names like "Rex" and "Spike" will work well. If you don't have children, you should feel better about naming your dog something like "Max" since you understand the dog's role clearly.

If you have a family, you might also want to consider waiting to name your dog until it's lived with you for a few days. You might find that a name "naturally" pops out at some point because you better understand the individual personality traits or even physical traits that make your dog unique. It's fine to let your children name your dog, but make it clear that naming a dog should come attached with the responsibility of raising it.

If you adhere to these quick tips (single syllables, avoiding human names when kids are around), your dog will probably quickly understand its name. Remember that a dog's name is not the same as a command, and that other commands like "Come!" should be trained into the dog's vocabulary as well.

Photo Credits: balleyne

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Family Kids and Dogs, Tips for Dog Owners

Posted by Dog Training Pet on January 27, 2010 in Family Kids and Dogs, Tips for Dog Owners. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.