There is no limit to what kind of adorable things you can name your dog after. You can elect for a pretty human name, use a type of food as inspiration, or even name your pet after another animal type. As a general rule of thumb, pick a two-syllable name that is easy to pronounce and remember and doesn’t sound too much like commonly used words.
Consider these tips when finding the right name for your dog.
Length
The length of your dog’s name is very important since you’ll be saying it so frequently. While your children and spouse will know you are talking to them without saying their names every time you speak, you’ll usually get your pet’s attention with their name.
If you pick a long name that takes a lot of time to say, you’ll get tired of using the title. Don’t forget; you’ll be saying this word multiple times a day for the next 8-15 years, so you shouldn’t get sick of it!
Sound
The sound of your dog’s name is very important. While you may not realize it, dogs pick up on the sound of words. Dog’s don’t learn the meaning of words as we do, but they recognize the sound of the word that they have associated with a thing.
For instance, have you ever said the word “tree” around a puppy? They will often look at you and wag their tail as if you just said: “treat.” Because the words sound so similar, the dog will easily confuse them.
The name’s audible shape is important because you don’t want to pick a name that sounds too much like commonly used words. Names like Fay and May can easily be confused with the frequently used word “hey.”
Words with hard sounds are also easier for a dog to pick up on because the hard-stop sounds are sharper. Fay and May are both soft-sounding, while a name like Jack has a nice clean finish.
Spelling
While the spelling of your dog’s name is not nearly as important as it is for your children’s names, you should still consider it. As a general rule, whatever the simplest spelling is, is the best.
Syllables
Similar to the length of your dog’s name, the amount of syllables used is important. A name with two syllables is the best, as it’s easy for your dog to pick out of the English language. A single syllable word is often found as a small part of many other words. If you give your dog a single-syllable name, they can get confused when they hear their name in a different context.
Double syllable names are also better for dogs because they are easier to call out. If your dog ever runs away or turns down a different trail than you while on a hike, it’s much easier to call out “Parker” than “Sky.” Eventually, Sky will just become a drawn-out “i” sound, while Parker is more dynamic. The more recognizable the sound, the better chance your dog will have of hearing you and finding you!
Pronunciation
Your dog’s name should be easy to pronounce, not just for you but for everyone in your household. You want your pet to listen to every member of the family, so it’s important that each person can pronounce your dog’s name.
This is especially important when you have young children who will need to control the dog. Names like “Lola” and “Mickey” are simple to say, while “Esmerelda” is complicated and much too long.
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