| So you've brought home your new puppy, it's time | | | | favourite sports, movie, music or comic strip star? |
| to name your new animal friend but you're running | | | | How about choosing a dog name after a member of |
| short on ideas. Choosing a name for your dog can be | | | | your family or friend of a figure from history like |
| hard if you aren't feeling very creative, so here we | | | | Napoleon, Alexander the Great or Rasputin? Take a |
| give you a head start with the basics and some | | | | look at your environment or think about your |
| great ideas to help you choose the perfect name for | | | | favourite place they will give you more ideas. |
| your puppy. | | | | Remember, the dog name you choose for your |
| Three Basic Dog Name Guidelines | | | | puppy says as much about you as it does about |
| 1. Pick a name your dog can easily recognize. Dogs | | | | your pet. It shows how you view your dog and your |
| usually respond better to one or two syllable names. | | | | relationship with him. But other people may judge |
| If you do want to go for a dramatic and unusual long | | | | your dog's character by reference to its name and |
| name, consider whether you can easily shorten it to | | | | might therefore react negatively or fearfully to a |
| something a bit simpler for your dog to understand. | | | | 'dominating' name when meeting it. It is a good idea |
| 2. Avoid dog names that sound like the standard | | | | to use a dog name that conveys the image you |
| commands of No, Stay, Sit, Come, Down or Fetch. | | | | want your pet to have. |
| For example "Joe" is probably too close to "No". It | | | | Also, pick a name that will grow with the pet. For |
| can be difficult for dogs to tell the difference | | | | example "Tiny" may be less appropriate for a |
| between similar sounding words. | | | | full-grown dog. |
| 3. Choose a name that's both easy to call out and | | | | Whichever method you choose, have a good time |
| one that you are happy calling out. Remember, you | | | | doing it and choose a name that you will want to |
| will be calling your dog's name out in public places at | | | | keep. |
| times and shouting out "Parsnip" in the local park, | | | | Teaching Your Puppy Its Name |
| may leave you feeling a little embarrassed! You also | | | | Pick a dog name that pleases you and stick to it. It |
| want a name that will work well when you are | | | | can be confusing for your puppy if you keep |
| straining your voice to call your pet as he disappears | | | | changing your mind. Your dog will learn his or her new |
| into the sunset chasing after a rabbit! | | | | name quickly if you use it often. When you call your |
| Looking For Dog Name Inspiration | | | | pet, use his name. Do not say "here puppy". Calling |
| Start with the obvious. Take a long hard look at your | | | | your pet by his name will help him to become familiar |
| new little friend he may be telling you his name | | | | with it and with your voice as well. |
| without you knowing. Look at his appearance, | | | | If choosing a long name keep in mind the shortened |
| behavior, personality, and disposition. Names like Spot | | | | version. A long name will inevitably be shortened, but |
| or Red may come to mind. How about Bandit for a | | | | it may ruin the effect that you were originally looking |
| dog who steals things or Rebel for a stubborn dog? | | | | for. |
| Then look elsewhere for inspiration. You can name | | | | Above all have fun and choose a name you really like. |
| your dog after another famous dog, for example | | | | Your puppy will undoubtedly become your best friend |
| Pluto, Pongo, Lassie or Digby. What about your | | | | and only you can find just the right name. |