Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Little Tricks for Choosing a Name
• Method 2 of 3: Focus on appearance and character
• Method 3 of 3: Famous Dog Names
• Tips

As the saying goes, a dog is man's best friend. And a best friend deserves a really good name. However, coming up with this very name for your furry friend is sometimes more difficult than it seems. Don't worry, wikiHow will help you with this difficult task. In this article, you will find some helpful tips on how to choose a name for your puppy.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Little Tricks for Choosing a Name

1. 1 Stop at short names. It is easier for dogs to learn how to respond to their name if it consists of 1-2 syllables. Instead of calling the dog Sir Merlin of Mangovia, shorten the name to Merlin or Mango.
   • If you do want to give your dog a long, formal name, you must understand that in the end you will have to shorten it anyway (if only to make it easier to call the dog). Choose a name that has a cute abbreviation.
2. 2 Try names that sound harsh or crisp. Dogs respond better to sounds such as "s", "sh", "h", "k", etc. Choose a nickname with these consonants to help your dog respond faster. At the same time, consider variants ending in vowels, especially the short “a” or the long “i”.
   • Examples of names: Simba, Chico, Cassie, Sweety, Delilah, etc.
3. 3 Don't choose names that sound like commands. Dogs cannot distinguish between specific words and words with similar sounds can confuse the dog. This is especially true for words that are similar to the command to which the dog must respond.
   • For example, the name Seth can be confused with “no”, and Jas (from Jasper) with “fas”.
4. 4 If you want to give a new nickname to an adult dog, try to stick to the same soundtrack. Be careful when changing your nickname. The old nickname should be consonant with the new one, for example, Bars and Lars. It is important that the vowel sounds do not change, as these are the ones that are easier for dogs to pick up. For example, Tinky can be exchanged for Winky, but not for Wonka.
5. 5 Remember that you will be using the dog's name in public. Some nicknames may have some intimate meaning to your family, but not all of them will sound appropriate in a veterinary clinic or on a playground. Also, if you choose an overly common name, your dog may run away to someone else (or someone else's dog will jump on you).
   • It is better not to call the dog by such popular names as Sharik or Mukhtar.
   • You should also understand that some nicknames can cause an ambiguous reaction from others. For example, people will be a little wary of a dog named Killer (especially if it is large).
6. 6 Check with family or friends before naming a dog. You may think you are doing a great honor by calling the dog Aunt Matilda, but Auntie herself is unlikely to take this as a compliment. She may think you are disrespectful to her.
7. 7 Try the name for a few days before making it permanent. See if it takes root. If not, try a different name. Remember to reward your dog when he responds to a new name.
   • Notice how you yourself feel the sound of the name? Are you ready to say it over and over? If unsure, try a different name.
8. 8 Learn as many dog ​​names as you can. You can search the internet for a funny dog ​​name. There are even specialized forums that can help you.

Method 2 of 3: Focus on appearance and character

1. 1 Look at the dog's color and coat. They can give you a lot of different thoughts and associations. For example, if your puppy has a brown coat, you can name him Shoko, Brownie, or Black.
2. 2 Take a closer look, maybe your puppy has some distinctive features. Examine its paws, ears, muzzle, tail, etc. Do you see any unusual spots or something else that distinguishes your dog from the gray mass?
   • For example, if a puppy has a black spot around one eye, you can name him Pirate.
3. 3 Think if the size of the puppy will inspire you for ideas? If you have a tiny dog ​​or an unusually large one, you can use this characteristic in choosing a nickname. Or you can choose a nickname versus size.
   • For example, you can name a little dog Jock, and a giant Kid.
4. 4 When choosing a name, based on the character of the dog. A few days later, your dog will open up, and you will understand whether it is Mischief or Volchok. See how he interacts with your family, and see how silly or funny his behavior is.

Method 3 of 3: Famous Dog Names

1. 1 See famous dogs from movies and TV shows. Good movies go hand in hand with cool nicknames.
2. 2 Look for nicknames in books. If you have a favorite writer, book, or TV show, you might want to name the dog by the name of the character, book, or author.
   • You can also get inspiration from history. Consider the names of presidents or famous events.
3. 3 Get inspired by your heritage. Is your country famous for something, or do you like the way its name sounds in a foreign language? Look for consonances or hidden meanings.
   • German nicknames... Try Fitz or Kaiser first.
   • Irish nicknames... Do you like water? Try the nickname Murphy, which means out of the sea.
   • French nicknames... Pierre or Coco at the top of the list for dog names.

Tips

• Choose a favorite name that you would like for yourself.
• The nickname can be found anywhere: in your favorite book, hobby, etc.
• If you are giving nicknames to two dogs, make sure that their nicknames have a different number of syllables, different vowels, or alternating consonants like bp, gk, dt.
• More inspiration: Name your dog by the name of your favorite city or country, or by the name of a famous book.