Choosing your dog’s name

Oliver, Zoey or Penny? Choosing your dog’s name is a very important moment, which marks the beginning of a new, lifelong friendship.
You cuddle them, you want them to listen to you or your four-legged friend doesn’t obey: whether you are in a good mood or in a bad one, you will never forget their name.
Therefore, their name should be chosen considering some easy, basic requirements, also in order to facilitate your dog’s training.
How can dogs understand their name? After hearing it, there is always something happening. In other words: according to vets, dogs don’t understand their name as an identifying word, but rather as a signal.
It should be a well defined, specific signal, so that your dog can understand it in the best possible way.

Short names are better than long ones

First of all, you should know that it’s easier for dogs to remember short, easy names rather than long, complicated ones.
If you want to call your dog Queen Victoria, for example, you can choose a shorter name like “Viki” or “Queen”: in fact, by giving your dog a complex name, you would end up using a diminutive, which is more convenient for you.

Choose simple names with voiceless consonants

According to many, it’s easier for dogs to remember short, simple sounds rather than long, complicated ones: it will take dogs much less time to understand them. Besides, voiceless consonants like “K” or “ch”, “s” or “sh” can catch more of your dog’s attention: in this way, you help them distinguish their name from noises around them. That’s because dogs have better hearing for both high frequency and high-pitched sounds: therefore, you better choose names with short “A” and long “I”.

Try to avoid names that sound like orders

“Jack! Jack, come here!”: it seems a perfect name for your dog. However, it phonologically sounds very similar to the command “Back”. What would they understand then? This useful example should remind you of a new, smart tip while choosing your dog’s name: try to avoid names that sound like orders, so that your dog won’t be confused.

Let them inspire you

The tips you read above are very important for the choice of your dog’s name, which should be efficient for their training. However, always remember another essential thing: to follow your heart.
Let their snout, nature and temperament inspire your choice. Eventually, from that moment on, remember it will no longer be any random sound, but your best friend’s name.