A lot of people ask me what name they should pick for their puppy. I tell them that while this is a matter of personal choice, there are some “do’s” and “don’ts” in picking dog names. Let me first say that the five most popular names for male puppies are: Max, Jake, Buddy, Bailey, and Sam. The five most popular names for female puppies are: Maggie, Molly, Lady, Lucy, and Daisy. For a complete list of the most popular dog names, click on this site.
Here are some “do’s” in picking a name. Pick a name that is short and easy to say. Pick a name that cannot be shortened to something that would embarrass you and your dog. And pick a name that has enough consonants and vowels to be carried over a long distance if you need to call your dog when he is far away from you.
Let me give you an example. My Standard Poodle’s name is Raja. This was the name given to him by his original people. Subsequently, he went to person who renamed him Rumpus. The latter name shortens to either Rump or Pus, neither of which has great connotations if you are yelling in the park for your dog to come to you. When I got Raja, I renamed him with his original name, and he learned to respond to it quickly. Raja is a name that carries well over wind or noise, and is short enough so that it is easy to pronounce. It also captures his princely and proud bearing, reinforcing in the minds of all who stop to pet him that here is a stately dog.
There are some “don’ts” in picking a name. Don’t pick a name that is either long or unpronounceable. If the name is too long, you will tend not to use it and perhaps come up with a variety of nicknames that will only serve to confuse your dog. In dog training, consistency is the key, and if you say: “ Here, Chuckles” one time and “Love, Come Here’ another time, your dog will never learn his name, much less learn to come to you. In my experience, just like we like to hear someone say our name, dogs seem to like to hear their names, particularly when they are being praised. So it is important to be able to say, “Good Dog, Buddy!” consistently.
Another “don’t” is to pick an aggressive-sounding name, like Killer, Terror, Fang, Fighter, or something similar. In my experience, people who give their dogs such names sometimes expect their dogs to be aggressive, and the dogs seem to pick up on that expectation and act accordingly. I have had clients who have bought dogs for protection and named the dogs with aggressive-sounding names, only to find that they soon needed protection from their dogs. I have recommended a name-change (for example, Terror becomes Maxie) along with behavioral modification, and after a while, we would come up with a kinder, gentler dog, who would still protect his people should the need arise. However, I must stress that if you find yourself in this position, you must seek the advice of a qualified animal behavior professional who can see your dog and evaluate the circumstances.
Beyond these “do’s” and “don’ts,” dog names are a matter of personal preference. Personally, I prefer a name that is different and distinctive, and captures some positive aspect of the dog’s personality. But if you pick a name that you can say with joy and gladness, your dog will be very happy.
---Con Slobodchikoff
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