Adopted Dog Names

[alidansma]

To those of you who have adopted dogs...Did you keep the dog's original name or give it a new one? I kept my dog's name the same because I didn't want to confuse him, but now my brother is adopting a dog and is wondering if he has to keep the name the same or will the dog adapt to a new name quickly?? The dog is about 2 years old.
Thanks for any help!! -ali

[diego's heart]

It depends... I think dog's are extremely adaptable. You can think of it as a "nickname", use both. Then once the dog responds well to both, just use less or stop all together. I was called 2 names (Ann & Lisa) until about age 4. It's funny to look at baby pictures. Some say Ann, some say Lisa - I know who I am, I mean not confused and I think the dogs do too !

~ Lisa

[Capone's Mama]

I myself keep Capone name the same because I liked it. But I'm sure you could change it. When I brought Capone to ob classes the trainer said I should of change his name because of not knowing his history and the way his was shy to strangers. But I liked Capone it fits his

[myrocky]

It really depends on the dog and their past. If the dog was kept outside all it's life and had very little contact chances are it doesn't know the name. However if the dog is a owner surrender because the family is getting a divorce or whatever then it might know the name. Some rescues also do not allow you to change the name so make sure your brother has looked into that.

[alisonCO]

We did not change Luna's name because we liked it and it totally fits her. My parents just adopted a 1 year old golden retreiver and her name was Diva. My mom hated it and changed it to Bailey. Bailey learned her new name in a few days and had no problems with it. They tried to find a new name that was similar to Diva but couldn't think of anything.

[carpediem]

Our two Boston Terriers have many nicknames, they know all of them... Kobi is also Bobo, Kobster, Kobadobe, Queenbee. Murphy is also Winky, murphaderf, Murphmonster, Murphmeister.

We adopted Benny (Boxer) three weeks ago Sunday and the Rescue League had absolutely no information about him whatsoever. He was so droopy and melancholy when we first brought him home, he really didn't react to anything except hugs... Ben seemed to fit so that's what we stuck with and Benny is the naturally occuring nickname. He learned that name within about a day and a half and at this point he comes right away when we call him by name. So, in my opinion, dogs are flexible enough to learn a new name very quickly.

On that note, my neighbors think I've absolutely lost it... It's bad enough I usually come home from work and run out the back door with the dogs saying things like "Kobi Kobi Kobster, gimme some looooove Kobster" and "Hey Murphmonster, where's your frisbee Murph? Go get it!!!" Now they also here this: "Beeeeeeeennnnnyyyyyy" followed by a "woooowoooooowooooowooooo" that part isn't me :cP

[lexismum]

I agree that it depends on the dog. We got Buffy from rescue and she is 5-6 years old. It appears she came from a good home, at some point someone loved her lots. She responded well to her name - which by the way we do not like - but we kept it to make the change easier on her.

Like everyone else though we now have nicknames, again becuz nothing rhymed with Buffy and we tend to call her Buffalo because she is such a steamroller and is not dainty at all like Lexis.

[Arachnopunks]

I have read of rescues that changed the dog's name because the dog cowared when it was called by it's name. I think that a new name can help to signify the change it the dog's life. Many rescue dogs don't come from the best environments. When they are adopted, they have a second chance at a new life. I think a new name can be part of the fresh start he/she is getting. I think if I liked the name and the dog was fine with it, I'd keep it. I also don't see any harm in changing it. Maybe if the new name sounds similar to the old name it would be easier for the dog to adapt to.

[Roxanna]

Tyra's original call name was "Tyson," and her AKC name was "Lady Tyson Courtney." Tyson is a great name for a male boxer but not for a female. The dog pound we rescued her from changed her name to "Tyra" because it was more feminine yet sounded similar. When we brought her home we called her Tyra and she responded so we kept the name. She also has super model qualities like Tyra Banks.

queenicon

[khousman]

Zander's original name was Spike. We decided to change it because he just didn't look like a Spike and we figured that he could associate it with the bad life he used to have. By the third time we called him Zander, he responded. We've never had a problem and he was around 3 years old when we adopted him.

Kristi

I have never owned a rescue dog before, but when i do, I will more than likely change their name to something I want. I think it helps to erase as much of the dogs past and start fresh, and a new name is the perfect way to begin that transition.