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How To Choose A Name For Your Dog

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Affinity Properties, Inc 509937

When you bring home a new puppy or well-deserving older dog, you need to give him a name as soon as possible. Dogs are smart and learn quickly as to who's who, and his own name gives him a special place of dignity in the home. Choosing a name for you pooch is an individual journey, but many dog owners prefer to select names that are meaningful to themselves.

When mulling over your collection of potential names, remember that a new puppy has a simplistic mind and can relate to a one or two syllable name much easier that a complicated title. You need not settle for Spot or Rover, but over indulgent names may take your dog longer to learn his identity and may very well embarrass you one day when the dog's name is called at the vet's office. Although your bulldog may look like a "Sir Nottingham of Ghent", he shall surely thank you for something a little more simple. Find a name that suits your dog's face and personality without going over the edge and he will learn quickly who he is. In addition, for rapid recognition, be sure to use his name whenever you call him and associate the name with only positive activities such as food and play time, never a scolding.

If you have multiple dogs, especially those of the same age, you may wish to rotate your usage of vowels and consents to avoid a sound so similar that the names are confusing. King and Bing may sound cute for your canine Bobsy Twins, but the animals may find it difficult to distinguish their own names. Each dog should have his own name of distinction with no room for error or confusion with another animal.

When choosing a name for your dog, you may wish to list all the possibilities drawn from your favorite things in life. Like classical music? Mozart and Chopin take the top of the list. Be creative and select a name that has meaning and emotion for you. This little dog is going to be your constant companion for years to come and he deserves a name worthy of his friendship.

Joe Cline writes articles for Austin Texas real estate. Other articles written by the author related to Rollingwood homes and West Lake Hills homes for sale can be found on the net.

Ruthmarie Hicks
Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Road #101, White Plains NY 10605 - White Plains, NY

OK - I've had several dogs... There was Houdini - who got out of every enclosure we put him in.  There was Maggie - I don't know how I gave her that name.  She was always into something so I initially named her Minx.  There was Harley - who just looked like she belonged on a motercycle and there is "Buddy" who was named by a friend - I take NO responsibility for that name.  And I also have "Jade" a white Siberain who had Jade green eyes as a pup - but they turned amber as an adult.  "Tundra" or more properly "Arctic Tundra" is my other White Siberian's name.

Jul 19, 2010 10:35 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for sharing. Have a special day.

 Blooming for Maryland home buyers.

Jul 19, 2010 10:47 PM
Jay Schmitt
Keller Williams Keystone Realty - Gettysburg, PA
Gettysburg Real Estate Agent

Those as some good thoughts. I am  my dogs Chaos & Tess live forever so I never need to name another dog.

Jul 19, 2010 11:00 PM
Larry Lawfer
YourStories Realty Group - Newton, MA
"I listen for a living." It's all about you.

My favorite dog is still with us, but very old.  He is a Golden Retriever named Comet.  This is from the show Full House that my son watched and they had a golden named Comet.  My other favorite dog was Poocho...I know not a great name, but I took him over from a stupid roommate and his girlfriend in college who were testing out their marriage capacity by buying and torturing a great little dog with the name MulBo. This was an amalgamation of their two names. I always called him poocho.  I had a cat at the same time, its name was Catman, which was short for Catmando.  Yeah, you are right it was the late 60's.  I loved that cat.  I love animals.  They will respond to anything if it is said in love and affection.  Thanks for the post

Aug 04, 2010 03:45 AM
Alex Morris - Austin Real Estate Agent
Austin, TX

Interesting.  I guess when it's all said and done, being able to bark "DOC!" in a monosyllabic fashion has been useful, since he has been the "best bad dog" I have ever met.  The best dog I could ever ask for, to his core, who still tests me on a daily basis.

Dec 03, 2010 04:03 PM