As a dog parent, you may be wondering whether it’s okay to change your furry friend’s name.
Rest assured, changing a dog’s name at any age is not a problem as long as your dog is mentally and physically healthy. With basic obedience training, positive reinforcement, playing the name game, maintaining a healthy relationship with your dog, spending time together, and patience, your dog can easily get used to a new name.
In our upcoming discussion, we’ll provide you with a complete guide on how to change your dog’s name, including special conditions to consider before making the change and what to expect after the name change. Whether you’re adopting a new dog or simply want to give your furry friend a new moniker, we’ll help you navigate this process with ease. So, let’s dive in!
What age is possibly too late to change a dog’s name?
As mentioned earlier, you are not late to change your doggy’s name at any age. But, here, you must consider the mental and physical well-being of your dog.
Because the mental condition of your doggy is essential in grabbing the new name of his or her.
They should be strong enough to identify their new name and should be responsive to it. Keep in mind, it should be a positive response.
Basically, there are two major reasons that a person might want to change a dog’s name despite their age. These reasons can be common with you as well.
One is that your doggy is given a name that is uncomfortable with you and your doggy. In such instances, you might go for another better name.
The other is when you adopt a doggy fellow, you might really want to change the given name of him or her.
So the factor of age does not affect the above reasons. The only thing that affects is how your dog gets used to the new name.
In this case, you should also be aware that dogs are getting adapted easily to the name they are called, and they learn fast how to respond to it.
Do not worry, eventually, they will learn.
Suggested Readings: Can dogs respond to two names?
Well, maybe you are thinking of changing his or her name after one year from adopting or birth.
Yes, go for a new name that brings a strong emotion about your doggy if you are not satisfied with his or her present name.
Changing the name within a short period of time, like one year after the first name, will be easy.
The most crucial factor is that it will be easier for your puppy to get used to it. But remember, you should give him or her proper training to be responsive to the new name.
If you hope to change your doggy’s name after a time period of a year, one advantage you can enjoy is it does not take long hours, and you do not need to put great energy into the course.
Since your puppy is still young, she will accept the change positively as they have not been talked to or summoned with the previous name for a long time.
When it comes to the factor, changing your doggy’s name after 2 or 3 years of time, even it can be a somewhat difficult procedure. But, it does not say at any time that it is impossible.
In some instances, you must change your doggy’s name when he or she is 2 or 3 years old and start to ignore their names.
This might be because they hate their names and show some stubborn behaviors when summoned or talked with their given name.
These can be considered as kind of emergency situations where you should change your doggy’s name. Because it can negatively affect their mentality.
In such cases, you can talk with the vet and decide how to change your doggy’s name, and be sure to pick a strong name that is more comfortable with your dog.
First, go through google or any source and prepare a list of strong names. If not, you can make your own, which is more arching with your doggy.
Then, you can talk to your doggy with the list of names you prepared and see to which name they show the highest response rate.
What about changing your dog’s name after 5 years?
Well, first should say no issue if your dog is in an excellent condition to grab his or her new name.
But, suppose you change your name suddenly once you enter school. The same mental condition will create within your doggy as well.
The decision is up to you. But if you are advised to change the name of your doggy due to a personal matter or due to a harsh and sensitive experience that your doggy has gone through, you should change his or her name no matter what the age is.
The procedure might be difficult and hard sometimes.
Because your dog has been exposed to the first name or the previous name for a considerable period of time.
But it isn’t an impossible thing to do. All you need is courage and patience until they get used to the new name.
Apart from all the above-explained facts, there are some other instances where you are advised to change your dog’s name.
If you adopt a street dog/ shelter dog
So, in instances like these, though they come to you with a name, and if they are capable enough to get used to a new name, you can change his or her name.
The given ‘market’ name of them might not match well, and you can go for a stronger name than that.
But, if he or she really shows interest and behaves well with the name they are already given, it is better for you to get used to that specific name.
Still, if you need to change her or his name, stay for a while until they get settled and go for a name which is comfortable with you and doggy as well.
If they come from an abusive environment
If your doggy has gone through physically and mentally abusive experiences, he or she might show greater dislike to their existing name.
When you talk to him or her with the existing name, they might get scared and shocked. So in such instances, it is a great help for them to change their name to a beautiful and strong name.
It will be an act of kindness as well.
If your dog started to ignore their name
It is an obvious fact that your doggy is responding to his or her name at any instance. But suddenly, if they happen to ignore their name and be stubborn, you should be trying to change their name.
This might be due to a growing stubbornness or a sudden dislike of them towards their names.
So, it is better to change his or her name and take them again to the track in such instances.
What can happen if you change your dog’s name?
Now, this is the real question that might be bothering you for a long period of time. What will happen once you change the name of your dog?
Now you are aware that age is not a factor at all if you need to change the name of your doggy. But what are the consequences which might occur after changing your doggy’s name?
Will they grab it, or will they reject it? Are the most doubtful questions haunt your mind?
Basically, after changing your dog’s name, if you give him or her proper training on getting used to it, they will show a positive change towards it.
It should mention that dogs do not get a name no matter how strong the name we give to them. They just identify it as a sound that should be given their attention. That’s all.
So, in nine out of ten cases, your dog will respond positively towards changing its name, even though some might take a little longer time.
But, keep in mind you should have a good training program to make them used to the new name.
How can you teach your dog a new name?
When teaching your doggy the new name they are given, you should be ready with a good plan.
Let them feel their new name is more valuable and meaningful.
1. Use treats
Take a handful of high-value treats and get started with this activity.
Then say your doggy’s name and give them a piece of treat you got and wait for a couple of seconds and do it again.
Remember, this might be done in order. First, say your doggy’s name and then give the food.
2. The name game
Choose an outdoor place, or you can even practice indoors as well.
Call your doggy’s name with a happy toe and try to grab his or her attention. If they show any response and start running to you, reward them with a more cheerful word like ‘YES!’, ‘You did that!’.
Do this activity for about 10 or 15 minutes per day and repeat until your dog gets used to his or her new name.
3. Choose a quiet place
Choosing a calm and quiet place with fewer disturbances will be great to practice the new name of your doggy.
Do not let them get distracted with surrounding noises and grab their attention fully on the task.
4. Use a positive tone and be patient
The importance of using a positive and happy tone while being patient towards their procedure is significantly effective.
Let them feel that there is no hurry or rush in learning their new name.
Things to be aware of.
When changing your dog’s name, try to avoid using it when you are blaming or scolding him. It will ruin your effort.
It is better if you can avoid using sounds like ‘No’ in their new names.
Once you are changing your dog’s name, you should be more concentrated on their likes and dislikes, and also, you should be sure that they are in a good mental condition to get used to a new name.
Do not use a bullying name for your dog. Always go for a strong and sound- good kinda name which makes them more confident.
Conclusion.
Well, as we have to come to the end of all the important facts regarding the topic of changing your dog’s name, I suppose now you have a great deal of knowledge both scientifically and practically.
Being a dog parent armed with every bit of detail about your dog is much appreciated. So stick to the above-explained facts when changing your doggy’s name.
Cheers till next time!
