by Raven Lebeau

Created on: February 10, 2010

Choosing a name for your dog is a big decision. Whichever name you pick, you will be calling it several times a day over the course of your dog's lifetime as well as writing it on forms for the vet office and having it engraved on his tag. Your dog may not have a preference, but his name is something that will be a part of your vocabulary for years to come. Here are a few tips for choosing a name you'll be happy with:

1. Pick a name with one or two syllables.

Choosing a short name will help speed the learning process as your dog learns to respond to his own name.

2. Keep the spelling and pronunciation simple.

At some vet offices, appointments are made under your pet's name, which means you will have to spell it for the schedulers and receptionists. Choosing a name that is easy to say and spell will help facilitate the process. A short, simple name will also be more likely to fit on a tag if you choose to get a tag engraved with your pet's name.

3. Avoid using a common word or the name of someone you know.

Using your dog's name when you aren't trying to get his attention may confuse him. Make sure that the name you choose is not a word or name you use frequently in normal conversation.

4. Give your dog a gender-appropriate name.

Naming a male dog “Sophie” or a female dog “Bob” will result in confusion when you talk about your pet to other people. Either pick a name that fits your pet's gender or choose a gender-neutral name.

5. Use your dog's name as a way to express yourself.

Some people choose to name their dogs after a favorite historical figure or an important person in a field of study. A physics buff might name a dog “Einstein” or “Newton,” while a history enthusiast might opt for “Napoleon” or “Grant”. Naming a dog after your favorite book, movie, or game character is also an option, as is choosing a celebrity name.

6. Pick a name that describes your dog's personality or appearance.

A pooch with a penchant for pilfering could be called “Bandit” or “Rogue,” while “Taz” or “Tiger” might suit a dog with a feisty disposition. A dog with a white or yellow coat might be a “Daisy,” and “Pepper” might be a good fit for a black or gray dog.

7. Use the Internet for inspirtation.

If you can't think of a good dog name on your own, search the web for suggestions. The website Behind the Name is written with people in mind, but it can also help you find a good dog name. It even has a random name generator that will give you suggestions for names from various categories. The categories include nationalities such as “French” and “Indian,” cultural categories such as “Celtic Myth” and “Biblical,” and silly categories like “Fairy” and “Hillbilly”.

A similar website geared specifically towards dogs is Dog-Names. You can browse names by category and gender, and you can read about the meaning of each name before choosing one.

If you want to give your dog a name with a strong “doggy” ring to it, try choosing one from a list of popular dog names.

No matter what you choose to call your dog, be sure you reward him for responding to the sound of that name. Teaching him that his name means “treats” or “affection” will ensure that your dog comes when you call him.

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