How hard is it to get a dog used to a new name?

Question

We are adopting a dog from a shelter. She's about 1 year old and she was brought to the shelter by the police who found her. Therefore, we do not know her name. Since we have to give her a new name, how hard is it to get her used to being called something new? Any ideas on the best way to achieve this? We have another dog (same breed) - will this make it easier for her to learn her new name?

I would appreciate whatever advice you all can give me.

Answer 1

Dogs are very resilient and often get used to a new name within a matter of days.

Just make sure you use the name frequently when you address her; that is, use her name in almost every sentence you speak to her. "Baby, do you need to go outside?", "Come here, Baby.", "Baby is a good dog!" ... The more you use the name, the faster she'll learn it.

Never yell or shout her name at her (or she'll associate the name with your being angry).

And congratulations for adopting a shelter dog!

Answer 2

Well congrats on adopting best thing to do. I adopted 2 dogs this past summer myself. The 2 y/o golden retriever I adopted took me about 6 weeks to finally realize when I call Jordan thats him but the 4 y/o chihuhua took to his name fast. But it just depends on the dog because my 1 y/o lab who i got when he was 7
weeks old still ignores me as if i call his name. Just dont get fustrated when she doesnt answer at first or she may answer right away.

Answer 3

I adopted a dog who was 1 year old and decided to change her name. At the beginning I would call her both names so after a couple of weeks she responded to both names. Then I would call her by her original name less ofter over time so then she was used to her new name.

Answer 4

It's the way u say it that will draw her in. Use an excited tone when u call her by her new name and she will soon relate that name to her cue to come. It shouldn't take that long. If I was u I would use nething to complicated a simple one syllable word will probably make the process easiest. Also say it to her a lot. Every time ur spending time with her and talking to her start every sentence with her name. And in a lil no time she will be coming to it.

Answer 5

Having worked in a shelter I can honestly say that dogs will get used to any name you give them. Just repeat the name each time you pet her and call her to come to you. Make sure you praise her when she recognizes the name belongs to her.

Answer 6

obviously one of the people above me didn't read the question.

The same breed of dog doesn't make it any easier for another dog to learn its new name. where did you get that silly idea? :)

Anyways, my puppies have nicknames, as well as their names. When I adopted mine, they told me to start talking to your puppy by using its name, a lot. while petting and loving... Using treats as well when they hear their name and respond. Honestly, it just comes with time. I can't put a finger on when my puppies started knowing their names, but Bailey nows knows Bubs and Buddy, and his sister Rylee knows, Sis, Wiggle, and baby girl.

Don't worry it won't be super hard, it's all about repetition.
And thanks for adopting!!! Enjoy your new dog!

Answer 7

Just say her name to her as much as possible. Make a big deal of it when you see her to offer her lots of love and say her name a lot. She'll learn it quickly. If she's in another room and you call her by her name "Come here Ginger, come on" when she comes into the room praise her alot and say her name alot. She'll associate her name with her that way.

Good Luck and enjoy your new addition!

Answer 8

It was not very hard for me, my dogs name was different when we first got her, but now it is Sophie. I would play hide and seek with her but I would call her name until she found me, also i would play ball with her and i would tell her "good girl Sophie, good girl" now it is as she never new her other name. Oh yeah, make sure you praise him/her and give a small treat if he/she answers to her name.

Good Luck!!

Answer 9

it's not hard, I have changed the names of 4 long haired doxies that became homeless, look at them when you call them the new name & reward them for coming when called, also use it a lot don't confuse them with terms like dog or boy, girl, sweety stuff like that, I changed a little guy from dasher to boris in about a week.

Answer 10

I don't think it should be a big problem for you. I think it depends more on the inflection and the tone of your voice. Besides his real name, my dog responds to other terms of endearment because of how I call him. I also read somewhere that dogs react better to 2-syllable names.