Can you change a dog's name?

Most of us love our name. No wonder scientists have confirmed that the most pleasant sound for a person is the sound of his own name. What about dogs? Do they attach themselves to their name in the same way that humans do? And is it possible to change the dog’s nickname whenever it comes to mind? Let’s figure it out.

It may come as a shock to us, but a dog’s own name means absolutely nothing. The dog does not care what his name is, the main thing is to receive attention, affection and food from a person.

The owner awards the pet with a name only to identify it and endow it with a kind of personality. It is strange to consider a four-legged full-fledged member of the family and not even give him a name. But in reality, the dog does not need a name, she can live her whole life without him.

A person, for example, can call his pet by simply shouting: “Dog, come to me!”. Or whistling. For a dog, this will be enough: she will understand that her name is her. But it is easier for people when a living being has a name by which it can be addressed.

But what if we are forced to change the name of the pet? Or do we not even know the name of the dog before meeting us? Next, we will discuss whether it is possible to change the name of the four-legged, because of which such a need may arise and how to do it correctly.

In the previous paragraph, we found out that dogs do not attach soul to their name in the way that people do. Accordingly, nothing terrible will happen if at first the dog was called by one name, and then it was retrained to another.

In theory, you can rename a pet at least every year, but there is no practical sense in this. You should not retrain a dog to another name just for the sake of interest and curiosity.

There are “good” reasons why you might decide to name your dog differently:

You picked up a dog from the street. Previously, the dog could live at home, but he ran away, got lost, or his former owners simply left him to the mercy of fate. Of course, in that family he was called by his own name. But in your house, the dog should have a different name, which the pet will associate with a new page in his life. Dog behaviorists recommend changing a dog’s name if it was mistreated in a previous family. Forgetting the old name, the dog will quickly get rid of the hardships of the past.
Previously, you gave the dog a name, but now you realized that it does not suit her at all. For example, a formidable and serious name does not fit in with a charming and loving dog. In this case, Rambo can be safely renamed Korzhik and not torment himself with pangs of conscience.
The dog came to your house from a shelter or another family, you know her name, but for one reason or another you do not like it or are considered unacceptable. For example, someone from the household is called the same as a dog. Or you find it difficult to pronounce the pet’s name. Or maybe the former owner gave the four-legged too extravagant or even obscene nickname.

The name is perceived by the dog as just a set of sounds. She hears him and understands that the person is addressing her. Making a dog forget its old name is very simple, but for this you need to do everything correctly and according to the instructions.

Today’s Sharik is unlikely to start responding to the Baron tomorrow: you should not expect a quick result. Be patient and act purposefully.

The plan is:

Come up with a new name for the dog, coordinate it with all family members, everyone should like the name. It is desirable, but not necessary, if the new and old names are somewhat similar or start with the same sound. So the dog will get used to it faster.
Start accustoming your pet to a name. To do this, stroke the dog, caress it, treat it with a treat and say a new name several times. Your task is to create a positive association. The pet should have only positive emotions. The rest of the family should do the same – caress, treat and pronounce the new name.
Refrain from scolding the dog by using the new name. You can’t even raise your voice at dogs. Remember positive associations.
Be sure to praise your dog when he comes up to you or at least turns around when you say the name.
Make a rule in your house – never call a dog by its old name. It should completely disappear from the dog’s memory.
Don’t give up if the dog doesn’t respond. Even so, do not call her to you using the old name. Time will pass, and the dog will understand that you are addressing it, pronouncing this or that set of sounds.

It doesn’t take long for dogs to get used to a new name. It is quite possible to retrain a pet in just one week. But this is provided that you did everything right, were affectionate and friendly with your pet. The main thing is constancy, perseverance and unconditional love for a four-legged friend.

The article was written with the support of an expert:

Nina Darcia – veterinary specialist, zoopsychologist, employee of the Academy of Zoobusiness “Valta”.