10 tips to help you choose the perfect name for your new dog

Choosing dog names is a lot of fun, but it can also be challenge.?First and foremost, you抣l want to pick a name that you like and that also suits your dog. With this in mind, we抳e put together 10 dog-naming tips to help inspire you and keep you on the right track:

1) Choose a name that you can imagine saying dozens of times each day.

2) Keep it simple. Two-syllable names are easiest to call out and for your dog to understand.?If you really want a long name like Sergeant Pepper Paws, make sure it can be shortened to something like 揝erge?or 揚epper?for everyday use, and that you like the shortened form.

3) Avoid names that sound like commands.?For example, the name 慒letch?sounds very similar to 慺etch? which might confuse your dog.

4) Don抰 choose a name that you will be embarrassed to call out in public. 營 named one of my first childhood pets, 揅hocolate Fart Bum??It was immediately changed to 揅hocky?when my mother took her for her first visit to the vet!

5) Let your imagination run wild. Dog names can be witty, famous, regal, related to your hobbies厀hatever appeals to you.

6) Let your dog抯 appearance inspire you. 燱hen you first get a new dog, it may take you a while to get to know its true personality, and as it grows, its behavior may change.?Your dog抯 appearance, on the other hand, is much more likely to stay constant.?

7) Use your dog抯 breed for inspiration. For example, choose a French name for your Bichon Frise, a Scottish name for your Terrier or an African name for your Rhodesian Ridgeback.

8) Consult dog naming books and websites for ideas. These resources will provide you with hundreds if not thousands of dog names.

9) Let your dog guide you. Create a shortlist of names that you like and then try calling them out to your dog.? Its response just might help you pick the perfect one!

10) Be respectful ?don抰 pick names that will demean or belittle your dog.

If you use these dog-naming guidelines, chances are you won抰 go wrong. And if you do卍on抰 worry, you won抰 be the first person in history to change their pet抯 name. I should know!

Further resources:

http://dognamesplace.com

http://petnamesplace.com/dog-names/