new dogs name?

Question

ive just got a dog and shes 2 shes from a rescue centre shes already been named but i really dont like it and want to chnge it should i because she knows her origanal name and shes been through a lot i dont want to make life any more difficult for her what should i do

Answer 1

keep to her name

Answer 2

I have debated this same topic with lots of people involved in dog rescue. The consensus tends to lean towards "if you want to change the name do so." It doesn't appear to harm the dog and may eliminate problems with negative associations with the old name.

However, make sure that you are willing to accept your dog for who it is and work with it through any issues you may discover it has.

If you decide to change your dog's name, get out some treats. Say the dog's new name. If the dog looks at you give the treat to the dog. This way the dog will very quickly begin responding to the new name and associate it with positives and with looking at you. If you use a clicker, this is a great time to be using it too.

Answer 3

Hello, I am a vet tech of ten years and have experience with rescue dogs. I have heard from one of my co-workers that changing the name of the dog is a good idea..because they can move on with their lives and not associate their old name with old abuses. I had rescued a 2 year old Bullmastiff and kept his old name...he always showed signs of abuse..I don't think anyone can actually prove this theory to be 100% true. But what the heck it won't hurt the dog if you change the name! and dogs learn quickly and will get use to the name very soon!! Good Luck!

Answer 4

I also rescued a dog & didn't like her name (Mollie), but I found myself using her given name all the time because it was just easier, a timesaver, if you will.

If anything, I've added another name to her name and/or a rhyming word to go with her name on many occasions.

Heck, I've even called her other names totally unrelated to her given name. What I have found that since I've had her now for 3 years is that it's my tone that gets her attention more than the word that I'm using.

Mollie has become at times: Mollie Moo Moo, Mollie Tamales, Stinky, Fatty, Moo Moo, Peanut Butter, Tippy-Toes. As long as I use it with that loving tone, she always comes to me.

Answer 5

2 years ago I adopted a 4 month old Daschund cross Terrier whose name was peggy from my local RSPCA centre. I did not think that the name peggy suited her and changed it to Amber. I called her amber many times in a day and after a couple of days in her new home she was getting the hang of her new name. When amber came to me I was suffering from the loss of my old dog called Pip, she died the day before we picked amber at the kennels. Pip was also a rescue dog from the RSPCA and she had been beaten and mistreated, but the love and affection we gave her in her 8 years with us helped her to have a happy life.
I still really miss Pip even though I have Amber.

All I can say is whatever name you choose your dog will eventually adapt to it. Give plenty of love and affection and they will give it back to you threefold.

Answer 6

Can i just say a big well done for taking in a rescue dog..and as for the name why not try something that sounds similar to it`s name...my last dog before the one i have now she was called KEZ which i think is a brilliant name.

Answer 7

firstly well done on rescuing the dog but don't be like all the celebs out there & need a trendy name. Obviously you're aware that the poor thing has had a crap life til you got her so let her enjoy her new life even is her name is a bit naff. So wot.

Answer 8

My dog went through 2 other (Ugly) names before I got her.
She answers to her name well, so even if you have an older dog she may still respond. Choose a name you like, use it CONSTANT when around your dog, and maybe she'll get use to it within a month or two. If she doesn't seem to really respond within a month or make much progress, just keep her old name.

Then again, it's only a name.

Answer 9

Well I know it would be nice to name your dog what you like because it is YOUR dog...but when u get a dog that has a name you should keep it because he/she will respond to that name quicker that any other name, but if you do want to name it then you will have to have a lot of patinstice and every time you call your dog and it comes to you give it a treat to reward it.

Answer 10

Our dog is a rescue dog, we have had her almost 10 years now, we decided to stick with the name she had when she came to us as much as we wasn't that fond of it, but as she had been through enough as it was we decided not to add to the agony, love her name now and she really does suit it, I would see how you go on with the name she has already as I think you will get used to it and like you say she has been through enough and why add to her agony, she is your baby now and will love you whatever you decide.

Answer 11

If you use dog teats to help her learn her name and while you train her (to sit, laydown etc) then she will be quicker to remember her name...

try her with the new name but dont expect her to be responsive right away, also the tone of your voice will also help her learn a lot.

When you take her for a walk dont let her of the lead until she learns her name, because she minght not come back stright away and you dont want her to go missing....

Good Luck!