Naming your pet can be tricky business. Maybe you have a dozen ideas and can’t seem to narrow them down. There’s just so many to choose from! Or maybe you’re on the opposite side of the fence and are struggling to come up with even one. You can always turn to the classics like “Fido” and “Spot” but maybe you’re looking for something more unique?
If those don’t fit, we have a few helpful tips on naming your pet. Keep reading to learn more!
Avoid The Most Pup-ular Names
Whether it’s a song, a movie, or even a name, things get popular for a reason. If you hear about something over and over it again, chances are there’s something to it. But when it comes to naming your pet, you may want to avoid choosing the most popular or trendy choices. Why? Well, for one it can be super confusing for a pup…
Pups don’t speak English quite as well as we do. Can you imagine hearing your name being called in multiple directions and by multiple dog owners all at the same dog park? Confusing, huh? Humans sometimes struggle with two people sharing the same name, so imagine how your dog might feel in the same situation.
Because of this, you may want to do a little bit of research before selecting your precious pooch’s name. While “Daisy” and “Luna” are both beautiful choices for your prized princess, their popularity may be strong.
With that being said, it can be fun to choose an item with the best buzz. Has your pupper tried our Real Meat Pork Jerky? They’re wheat-free, delicious, and one of our best-sellers!
Get To Know ‘Em Before Naming Your Pet
If you’re wondering how to name your dog, it’s not a bad idea to brainstorm a few ideas first and then wait until you meet your pupper to seal the deal. Names are very personal and ideally your dog’s personality or appearance will match their name.
Do They Look The Part?
Your dog’s characteristics can certainly be a source of inspiration! Though a dalmatian named “Spot” may be fairly cliche, you could always choose something less popular like “Freckles”. Likewise, “Snowball” may be a natural fit for a fluffy white dog, but you could also opt for something a bit unexpected. Names like “Coconut” and “Pearl” reference your dog’s appearance without being overly common.
Letting Their Personality Shine
A puppy’s personality can also guide you in the naming process. There are many famous people and characters you can think of when naming your pet.
For instance, if your new family member’s a bit on the mischievous side, you could go for something obvious, like “Mayhem”. Or your little trickster could be called “Loki”! If you have a brainiac on your hands, “Albert”, “Hermione”, and “Newton” are all fun choices. Have a rare dog breed? You might want to find an exotic dog name.
Of course, if you want to really find the perfect name, you’ll get to know your little buddy a bit before naming them. And there’s no better way to do this than spending some quality time together. One way to do this? By appealing to their stomach! Try giving your pooch some of our delicious Cheezy Crinkle Sweet Potato Chips after practicing a few tricks. You’re sure to learn a bit about their personality by seeing how they respond to treats!
Practice Naming With Training In Mind
It may be cute to name your new pet “Sir Hugo Von Puppyton the Third”. However, ultra-long names can be a bit of a mouthful and confusing for a dog. Of course, this doesn’t mean your dog can’t have an “official” name that’s extra long. You’ll just want to shorten it to something easier to understand like “Sir” or “Hugo” when you’re trying to get their attention.
In most cases, it’s best to go with a name that has a couple of syllables. Short and sweet. Also, many dogs have an easier time deciphering names that start with a consonant, like “c”, “m”, or “p”, for example. How about “Cairo”, “Mochi”, or “Piper”?
Picking the right name is going to be important when teaching your pup new commands. After all, you’ll be calling their name a lot when training. That’s why it’s crucial that you set your dog up for success by choosing a name that’s easy to understand.
The best strategy? Test the waters! Practice calling out a few potential names to your pup and see how they respond. You can teach them their name like any other trick. While training your dog to respond, offer them encouragement when they do a good job. Better yet, try rewarding them with a wholesome and delicious treat, like our Salmon-Topper Trainer Treats or Salmon Jerky. With the promise of a yummy reward, they’ll probably take to training in no time. What about almonds – can dogs eat them?
Final Thoughts On Finding The Perfect Name
We know naming your pet can be a tough decision because there’s a lot to think about. But don’t stress! With a bit of patience, creativity, and research, you’ll soon land on the perfect name.
We hope this blog post was helpful and wish you the very best in naming (and bonding) with your new pet!
