changing a dog name???

[mamie]

Hi as I said in my previous post, we just got Ginger, our Lab from the local pound. I cannot for the life of me ever remember her name. I wanted to change it what do you think? I've been told that as long as the name finishes with the same sound I'd be ok. Ginger will be 2 in December. Now try to find a name that finishes with the same sound
Help anyone

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Changing names it not a problem. We got Banzai and we re-named and he learn his new name rather quickly. I don't see why it would need to end with the same sound. Good luck.

 

[bubbatd]

Pick a name and say both for a while , then drop the Ginger when she's used to it .

 

[Sweet72947]

Changing a name is fine. When people adopt our dogs, they change names all the time. The dogs are named when they come in, so they don't know their names anyway!

 

[Cassiepeia]

My dog was about 5yrs old when I adopted him and no one knew his original name so the name I gave him most likely was completely different to the first one he had. It made no difference at all. He learned it very quickly.

I don't believe the name has to sound even slightly like the original name. Dogs just don't care. Change it to whatever you want. Your dog will adjust and be fine with it. I intend to rescue in the future and don't think I will ever keep the name it comes with.

Cass.

 

[Gempress]

Changing a name is no big deal for a dog. Mine are both adoptees, and we just gave them their new names right off the back. They learned their new names within a couple of days.

 

[MyIrishWolfie]

When we got Binn I named Wraith but then changed it to Binn, and Stella's name was Harmony when we got her.. but she looked like a Stella instead

 

[rij73]

Doesn't need to end the same at all! My Hudson was named Ringo by the rescue organization. They had him for 3 months, so he had definitely learned that name. But, I just dropped it completely and started calling him Hudson from day 1 with me. He learned it very quickly...

 

[SizzleDog]

Ronin's name was "Hugh" for 18 months... I hated it, so he was re-christened "Ronin". He didn't mind at all.

 

[sparks19]

Try using a clicker if you are concerned. Say the dogs new name in a HAPPY excited voice so they will look at you. As soon as they look at you... click and treat. this will help the transition but I have never known a dog to not take to his new name

 

[COCKER SPANIAL LOVER]

we got my dog from our naibors who where mean to her my dogs name was skeies who would name a girl dog skeies any way so i re named her moonshine because she shines like the moon in the sky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PixieSticksandTricks]

Pixie (RIP) was 8 when we got her and had the name Sam (my name) all her life. I knew I was going to give her a new name before we even brought her home. I figure new home new life new name. She caught on within days.

Tucker came with the name Benny. He was about 5 months when we got him and he too learned his new name within days. Its just all about saying the new name as much as possible.

MaggieMay came with the name *shudder* Tootsie. I definatly wasent keeping thats name lol. And I wanted to name her after the song so badly. She is only a year old and like the others learned her new name quickly.

Like I said before you just need to say it as much as possible. Eventually they always get it.

 

[mrose_s]

its just like any other training. your dog will learn a new name just liek anything else.

 

[sglord]

Changing a name is not a big problem. If you have problem with your dog remembering its name, try to associate food treats and positive training such as hugs and gentle stroking by calling out its new name during this seesions. It will come to assoicate its new name as a positive feeling.

Hope that helps

 

[Ashlea]

Lilly was about 4 or 5 when we adopted each other. She caught onto her name really quickly. Within a day or two.

 

[IliamnasQuest]

While you're changing your dog's name, why not teach the dog to respond to the name by looking at you?

Most dogs never actually learn a set behavior to their name - we just use the name all the time and they eventually realize it comes to mean we're talking to/about them. But you can certainly start off right now teaching your dog to look at you when you say the name. In fact, everyone can do this.

I have the steps written out at www.kippsdogs.com/tips.html - go to "attention training".

I changed Dora's name when she came to me - it was Sunni before. And the dogs I've fostered and adopted out often have their names changed by the new owners and this method works really well.

Shouldn't be a problem! Good luck -

Melanie and the gang in Alaska

 

[Melissa_W]

Try using a clicker if you are concerned. Say the dogs new name in a HAPPY excited voice so they will look at you. As soon as they look at you... click and treat. this will help the transition but I have never known a dog to not take to his new name

That's exactly what I did when we changed our new dog's name from Caleb to Kai. It works like a charm.