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Among the most exciting parts of getting a new puppy is picking a name. It sounds simple enough, but pet owners put a ton of thought and effort into it. And this is for good reason too. For many, the name is meaningful to them and they want to give their furry friend a name that they can be proud of.
You can name your puppy almost anything, but you should be sure to name it something that they can easily distinguish from other words. This is going to make it easier for you to train your dog because they will hear and respond to your commands more easily.
In general, it’s better to keep it simple. But most of the time, it doesn’t really matter what you name your puppy as long as you like it and feel that it represents your new friend well.
Tips for Picking Out Puppy Names
Make it easy to hear
Make sure that the name you pick out is easy for your dog to hear, even when there are other noises around. It should be a name that you can say clearly and that your dog can easily distinguish from other noises.
Make it respectable
You also need to pick out a name that will give you no shame when calling it out in public. This generally means steering clear of funny names or names associated with sarcasm, shame, or criticisms.
Consider the length
You want to make sure that you have a name that is appropriate in length. If you choose a long name, keep in mind that it will inevitably be shortened as time goes on.
Be mindful of sound
You want to pick a name that can’t be confused with a command. For example, you probably don’t want to pick the name “Joe” because it rhymes with “No.” This can confuse your dog.
Be creative using the breed
A lot of great names can be derived from using the breed of your dog. The history of their breed and what they are notorious for can give you great starts on how to pick a suitable name for your new puppy.
Don’t rush it
Don’t feel obligated to select a name right away, although you shouldn’t wait too long for training purposes. Dogs might show you the right name by acting a certain way, so if you want to wait for them to come out of their shell a little bit before giving them a name, that works too!
Keep aging in mind
When selecting a name, it’s best to stay away from names that don’t grow with your pet. You might have named them one thing when they were a puppy, but that name isn’t suitable anymore for them when they are an adult. Make sure that whichever name you select will grow with your pet.
Recap
Selecting a name for your puppy can be such a fun—and important—process! Remember to have fun, consider the dog’s personality, and don’t be afraid to add a personal touch without getting too crazy.
If you need to get a start on some naming ideas, check out these puppy naming inspirations!
- Marvel Comic inspired puppy names
- Puppy names based on 90s cartoon characters
- Puppy names inspired by classic literature
- Pokemon-based puppy names
- Disney-inspired puppy names
There are a lot more inspirations that can help you in picking out a name for your puppy.
