Congratulations! You’ve made the best decision of your life. Dogs are not just any pets. They are little bundles of joy! Their cute eyes, wagging tail, and unconditional love make your life worth living.
Have you thought of a name? Are you still wondering how to name your dog? If you can’t make heads or tails of it, we have got you covered. There are tons of good dog names available on the internet. Yet it can still be difficult to name your true-blue friend.
Everyone wants to know some unique dog names. If you’re in the same boat, you need to keep some things in mind. Such as the length of the name, connotation, sound pattern and the list goes on.
Okay, stop! You don’t need to feel overwhelmed by these requirements. If you want to come up with some badass dog names, read on. Here are some steps that will let you know how to name your dog.
Set Guidelines
It is necessary to ask yourself some questions before finding dog names. Such as, “Would this name be suitable once he gets older?”, “Will this name go with his personality?”
For instance, if you’ve adopted a German Shepherd, names such as “baby” or “cuddles” won’t look nice. Such titles will sound even sillier once they grow up.
A great way of creating a guideline is to keep in mind your pet’s breed. Breeds such as Pomeranians, Yorkshire Terrier, Bichon Brise, and Pugs are small and cute. Names such as Bowser, Oreo, and Champ will suit them better.
While other canine groups such as Golden Retriever, Siberian Husky, and Boxers are medium to large-sized. Titles such as Chopper, Buck, Canyon, and Bruno would be more suitable for them.
Make A List
Once you have set the proper guidelines, make a rough list. This list should contain all the dog names that came into your mind.
This will help you to see those names in reality that existed in your mind. Meanwhile, you can also add in some names of your favorite characters. Take advantage of this opportunity and relive your childhood.
You may ask how? Remember your favorite cartoons? Shows such as “Tom and Jerry” and “Courage and Cowardly Dog”? Now you name your furry companion one of these names! However, keep in mind that this title should not target any race, ethnicity, or gender in a negative way. And probably your mom wouldn’t appreciate you naming the dog after her.
Keep It Short
Imagine naming your pet “Abracadabra” or “Abacus”. These are too wordy.
Your dog’s name is about to be on your tongue twenty-four hours a day. You might call your buddy with such names initially. However, you’ll end up shortening them, like Abra or Abay.
To avoid this hassle, keep your pet’s name short and convenient to utter. Go for good dog names that are no longer than four to five letters. Such as Toro, Tyke, Alba, and Tyson.
Make It Unique
Suppose you go to a park and call your dog, such as “Max come here, boy!”. All of a sudden tons of canines are staring at you. To avoid this situation, go for unique dog names. If you’re stuck, you can also use a dog name generator.
Deciding on an uncommon name can also be super beneficial for dogs. Just like humans, they also get confused when other canines have a similar title, or their name sounds like a word they hear all the time.
Having a distinctive name will create a sense of individuality in your canine partner. It will make it easier for him to obey commands and get trained.
Focus On The Sound Pattern
Dogs do not understand their names like we humans. They take it as a command when you utter it repeatedly.
Naming your dog that sounds similar to any other command can confuse him. For instance, the title Zig can be confused with the order sit. The dog names having connotation sounds are usually suggested.
Such titles are easier to hear when there is a lot of noise in your pet’s surroundings. Other than that, names having a vowel at the end can also be a great choice. Such names can also help to train your dog better. This is because the frequency tone changes when you speak a name ending with a vowel.
Avoid Negative Connotations
You have just adopted a dog from a foster home. They have already named him. When you use that title to call him, he completely ignores it. What can be the possible reason?
A negative connotation is a bitter emotion or feeling attached to a phrase or word. Your dog can have bad feelings associated with it. Canines do not understand dog names like us. They judge the title by the sound made while uttering it.
His old owners could’ve been using this name while punishing or scolding him. In that case, your pet can think that there’s something cruel about to happen. It is suggested to start with a fresh name. Surprise him with treats every time he responds to this new title. This will create a positive association with his new name.
Test Out The Name
Start calling your pet by that name. Check how well he responds to you. You need to keep repeating it. If you end up shortening the name, this is a sign that name is too long.
Repeating the name also shows how well your dog perceives that name. “Is he responding whenever you call him?” “Are you comfortable while uttering that title again and again?”.
It is generally recommended to go for two syllable dog names. Such titles are of the perfect length. They are not short enough to be confused with commands. Neither are such names are long enough to get your dog puzzled.
Consider The Dog’s Personality
Another great way to name your dog is by observing his character and attitude. Imagine naming a cute fluffy pomeranian, “Tyson Maxus”, doesn’t it sounds strange?
Try to select titles that go with your furry guy’s vibe. If your dog runs with a speed light and disappears within a blink of an eye, name him “Flash” after the famous comic book series character!
Stick To One Name
Now that you’re clued up about naming a dog, it’s your time to stick to it. Changing the titles can be complex for your pet to apprehend.
It can make behavioral training difficult as well. The sooner your pooch recognizes his name, the easier would be to train him.
Ask Your Family
Remember that he is not only your pet. He will also be around your place engaging with your family. Two heads are better than one! Therefore, asking for suggestions from people around you can be helpful.
You can ask all of them to make a list. You can short-list those titles and go for one. However, it would be difficult to keep everyone happy.
Your little girl could like a name like Lola, Tweety, or Bubu. Yet, your teenage boy might never like all these suggestions. You don’t need to get disheartened by such a situation. Just take down all the names and stay positive.
Final Verdict
At the end of the day, it’s your pet. No one knows better than you how to name your dog. Instead of jumping on the bandwagon, follow your heart.
You’ll soon find the best title for your canine partner. We’ve left you with some tips that can come in handy!
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Congratulations on getting a pet! Click this article to know how to name your dog