Naming a Dog
A Cozy Q Guide To Naming A Dog
Bringing a dog into your life will open you to new experiences, especially things like cleaning up dog poop. Picking a name is just the beginning of many decisions that you will need to make. Naming a dog is about giving your pet an identity and a real place in your life.
Sir-Barks-Alot
When it comes to naming a dog, everyone seems to have an opinion on the matter. A dog’s name needs to be something you wouldn’t be embarrassed shouting out loud at the dog park. You may find yelling ‘Come back here, ‘Carmel Smooshy Sugar Baby’ is a little awkward, unless you’re a five year old. The name you eventually pick needs to be something that is enjoyable to say and pleasant to hear. Listen to your instincts, in time you’ll find the right name.
The Notorious D.O.G.
My first dog Louie, a red fawn from Southern California, was originally named Stewie by his breeder.
When I asked the breeder where Stewie came from, he said he enjoyed the TV show Family Guy and named him from the ego-driven, sociopathic character in that show.
After making the association of Stewie Griffin to my dog, I was a little uneasy. So I made a list of French names: Gaston, Alphonso, Franco, Louie, and Noir and let them percolate. Louie just fit. If you have ever meet Louie you would quickly see that his ego is better represented by Cookie Monster than a cartoonish villain, plus the character Stewie hates his mother and Louie adores his mom (me).
A few tips when you name a dog
- Don’t rush it
- Make a list
- Make it personable and relatable to you
- Use one or two syllables
- No negative associations
- The name needs to be comfortable repeating
- The name can’t be confused for a dog command
- Don’t stress it, something will come in time
What does a name mean to your dog?
On an everyday level, it means ‘it’s time to eat’, let’s go for a walk’, or as a basic greeting. At its worst, it means ‘who peed on the rug?’ and ‘Get back here’. Best to avoid names of former lovers and in-laws’. You want the association to be positive. The name needs to be easy to remember and something that fits your family.
Snookie (Suki)
Don’t rush the process. This is a decision to take your time on and seek advice from others. It’s normal to spend days or weeks thinking about a name. The name will be used for the dog’s lifetime. What you name your dog says as much about you as it does the dog.
In conclusion, take your time, don’t rush the experience.
Make a list of dog names that you like. Say them out loud and even ask close friends and family. Stick to names with one or two syllables. It needs to feel good to say out loud and be pleasant to hear. To avoid confusion with your dog, come to a consensus on just one name. Make sure the name doesn’t sound like a command, this will ultimately confuse your four-legged friend.
Naming a dog is about giving your new pet a place in your life. You will be asked how you came up with the name. If you enjoy telling stories, make this a great one.
