7 steps to picking a great name for your puppy

A new puppy!

Getting a new puppy is such an exciting event. If you’ve just brought your new puppy home, congratulations! Sharing your life with a dog is one of the most rewarding experiences you will have. Now that your new pup is home, you need to choose a name for them. This is one of the most fun parts of welcoming a new pup into the family. We have outlined some steps you can follow to help you and your new furry companion off to a great start.

Before we continue deciding on your new pup’s name, consider the following:

 

  1. The name you choose for your puppy will become an integral part of their identity. 
  2. At some stage, your pup’s name will be called out in front of other people, at the vet or dog park for example, so offensive words and names that are hard to pronounce are probably not going to do you or your dog any favours. 
  3. You will be using your dog’s name for the rest of their life – this name will be used for the long haul. 
  4. You really don’t want your dog’s name to be something they can be teased for or made fun of. 
  5. A dog’s name is key to their understanding and navigating of the human world around them, a way to differentiate between a reference to them and all the other words they hear and learn. 
  6. A lot of the time, the name you choose for your dog will be a reflection of you, so choose carefully. 

Great! We are quite sure you already have some fantastic and creative ideas in mind, so let’s get started. Can you believe that there is actually a bit of science behind finding the right name for your four-legged friend? If you love science as much as we do, then check this out:

There is psychological and linguistic science behind the process of naming a dog. Research shows dogs are more attuned to certain sounds, especially those with higher frequencies, and react more favourably to names with ‘short’ and ‘crisp’ sounds, rather than long, drawn-out, and slow tones. Additionally, experts suggest that words with hard and sharp consonant sounds like ‘b’, ‘d’, ‘p’, ‘k’, or ‘g’ (as in ‘group’) will help your dog differentiate between its name and other words and sounds around them. It is best to stay away from names that sound similar to words you may use as instructions such as ‘stay’, ‘come’, or ‘stop’. Lastly, think about the way your dog hears: dogs have incredibly sensitive hearing, more than four times more sensitive than ours. Using a name with two syllables will create a change in pitch and frequency, which a dog will easily pick up and be more likely to pay attention to.  

fetch, stick, puppy.jpg

Tips for choosing a name:

1. Easy to say, remember, and learn

The name should be easy to say by humans and learned by dogs.

2. Short, sharp, high-frequency

Consider a name with no more than two syllables, for example, ‘Bella’ or ‘Luna’, or ‘Bailey’.

3. Unique physical features

Does your pup remind you of a famous personality? Does she have special or breed-specific characteristics? Use these to help choose a great name.  

4. Your favourites hobbies, music, or movies

You may have a favourite band or actor that you want to name your puppy after. What about a nature-themed name? How about naming your pup after your favourite literary character? The options are endless. 

5. Your pup’s personality

Even though you may have just met your pup, she may have certain distinguishing traits that stand out and will help you decide on a name. Maybe she is calm and relaxed. Perhaps she is energetic and mischievous. 

6. Friends and family

Why not ask your friends and families for some suggestions? They may come up with a few creative names you may not have thought of.

7. Personal meanings

It is very special to choose a name that has personal significance to you. Perhaps it is based on a person or place you love, a special memory, or a word that is positive to you.

Be aware of names that:

  • May confuse your dog: names that are too long, too similar to other instructional words, such as ‘stay’ or ‘no’, or names too much like the names of other dogs in the household. 
  • May be offensive to some: be mindful of names that may be offensive to others or may cause embarrassment when calling your dog in public.
  • Are difficult to pronounce: choose a name that is easy to spell and pronounce so that you and others can refer to your dog easily and comfortably.
  • May cause teasing: stay away from names that could lead to your dog being teased or made fun of.  

Puppies may take between two and four months to learn their names, but this depends on the dog. Follow these tips and tricks to help your pup learn, remember, and respond to her name:

  1. Be consistent. Always use the same name when interacting with your pup and during positive interactions. This will help your pup associate that sound with herself.
  2. Repeat, repeat, repeat. The more your puppy hears her name in various contexts, the quicker she will learn to associate it with herself. 
  3. Positive associations. Whenever you call her name, offer your pup delicious treats and lots of praise and affection to create a positive association. 
  4. Patience is key. Puppies, like children, learn at different rates. Some pups may pick up their names very quickly, while others may take a while. Be patient with your new pup and build a relationship of love and trust with her.
  5.  Avoid negative associations. Never use your pup’s name to shout or scold her or in any negative context. This may lead your puppy to associate a negative experience with her name and there’s a chance she may stop responding to it out of fear. 

Here are some of our suggestions for puppy names:

Charlie; Lucy; Bear; Daisy; Duke; Haley; Stella; Cooper; Abby; Riley; Willow; Milo; Grace; Lila; Ginger; Toby; Tia; Winston; Maggie; Harley;Max.

Closing comments:

 Keep in mind that dogs have the cognitive (thinking and learning) abilities of an average two-year-old child, so your dog will definitely have the ability to learn and remember words, including her own name. This means that choosing a great name for your dog is an important process. But, it is also fun and creative. Before you decide on a name, try a few of them out. Say them out loud, chat with friends and family, and spend some time with your new pup. If you feel lost, jump onto the web – there are loads of ideas and examples out there. Enjoy the process! Your pup’s understanding of her name will develop and grow as she learns more about the world around her. And above all, cherish the time you have with your new four-legged bestie. They will be the best times of your life!

References:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/201111/the-art-and-science-naming-dog 

https://www.rover.com/blog/dog-name-advice/ 

https://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/04/garden/the-art-of-naming-a-dog.html

https://drjudymorgan.com/blogs/blog/things-to-keep-in-mind-when-choosing-your-dog-s-name 

https://www.nylabone.com/dog101/choosing-the-best-puppy-name

Subscribe to our newsletter

If you love what we’re doing and want to get more information, please subscribe to our newsletter. Our monthly newsletter contains all sorts of interesting information on dogs, their welfare, health, and well-being. You can also look forward to great promotions on selected products and deals, as well as an opportunity to support and donate to our charity of the month. We’ll also showcase various special offers from vets, pet stores, and other services. You’ll get a link to our latest article and an insight into our most recent YouTube video. If you want all the latest news and information on everything “pawsome”, click on the subscribe button now!


Welcome to Place for Paws!
South Africa's
most comprehensive
dog-friendly
directory.

Quick Links
Categories
Contact Us

Email: info@placeforpaws.co.za

Address: South Africa

Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube