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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To adopt a dog with the same name as my son

116 replies

onetwothreeonetwothree · 22/01/2021 11:15

I have seen a beautiful rescue dog on the RSPCA looking for a home. I think we're the perfect home for him but his name is the same as my 9yo DS. DH thinks this rules the dog out completely as it would be confusing. I think he's being ridiculous and DS is old enough to understand - we haven't asked his opinion yet as he'll be bouncing off the walls at the prospect as soon as we mention it and it's all very much prospective at the minute. DS doesn't have a nickname or anything we could shorten to and the dog is 3 years old so probably couldn't change his name!
YABU - you can't have a dog with the same name as your son
YANBU - your husband is being silly

OP posts:
wixked · 22/01/2021 11:19

You can definitely rename the dog. It's really not a reason to overlook that dog.

ErickBroch · 22/01/2021 11:25

We renamed our rescue - she picked it up very fast. I think she was a farm dog so not sure she even had a name.

MandUs · 22/01/2021 11:26

I think your son would love it if there was a dog with his name. It's a sign. Either keep the dog's name or alter it slightly so the first couple of sounds stay the same.

FuriousCheekyFucker · 22/01/2021 11:27

My friend got a rescue and renamed her, picked it up really really quickly.

TodgerStrunk · 22/01/2021 11:28

You can definitely rename the dog. How often do you call a dog by its actual name anyway Grin Even if it's been naughty you'd go to middle name and surname just to get your point across.

CMOTDibbler · 22/01/2021 11:28

You can totally change the dogs name. The rescue I foster with always changes the names of surrendered dogs and they are fine

SirVixofVixHall · 22/01/2021 11:29

Of course you can re name a dog ! They are intelligent animals, just like a small child will respond to a nickname, so will a dog. My dog has a name but also about five nicknames and responds to all of them.
It might help initially to keep the syllables the same, and the end sound , eg Billy to Bobby or Dilly etc.

NavyKitchen · 22/01/2021 11:29

Yes, change the name slightly so if it's 'Max' for example, change it to 'Matty' or 'Matt'

Bytheriogrande · 22/01/2021 11:30

You can definitely change the dog's name,I think most people do!

BelgianFudge · 22/01/2021 11:31

My dog will respond to any word spoken in the right tone - so he probably thinks his name is "come here" or "do you want a biscuit".

Of course you can change his name. Good luck with he new dog :)

LaurieFairyCake · 22/01/2021 11:31

My dog behaviourist showed me how to change the name

Sit down next to dog with bag of treats. Say dogs new name, give treat. Repeat 10 times (lucky dog). Stand up, call name, give treat. Repeat. Leave room, call name - give treat.

Repeat throughout day. Dog will actually know new name within the hour. But good to cement it.

BelgianFudge · 22/01/2021 11:34

Yes their 'name' is essentially another command to come to you or pay attention to you. So you can teach it in the same way you can teach any command.

Dog learns when he hears that word - something good happens.

Vicliz24 · 22/01/2021 11:34

We rehomed a cat that had the same name as our dog and we changed the cats name to something with a similar sound with no problem. We said his new name every time we spoke to him and had no issues. Don't be put off saving the dog .

Changethetoner · 22/01/2021 11:36

Change the dog's name, otherwise it's weird and confusing. Yes it's cute, but make life easier, and rename it.

CryingHelps · 22/01/2021 11:36

Agree with PP's - change the name slightly. I was looking for a puppy for my son a few years ago, found one that was born the same day as my DS - we saw that as a sign! He was miles away but it had to be him. My DS was overjoyed.

Dixiechickonhols · 22/01/2021 11:36

Just rename the dog. We kept the rescue name of ours but he is often called called otger affectionate names by me it’s your voice tone they respond to. He was probably called a different name prior to rescue.

quickkimchi · 22/01/2021 11:37

Lol my mum adopted a dog with my name! It was funny when we met a neighbour and she said 'This is my new dog, I've just adopted X' and three beats later introduced me, neighbour must have been Hmm
My mum renamed her, but a very similar name, only first letter changed so I doubt it sounded much different to the dog. It was fine.

Godimabitch · 22/01/2021 11:37

You can change the dogs name easily. My dog has multiple names. It's not like people when they know it's their identity, it's just a noise that we've imprinted meaning on. Pick something that sounds similar and call them by their new name and give them a reward for looking at you.

HeronLanyon · 22/01/2021 11:40

Well this is a problem I’d never considered !
Rehome him and rename him. He’ll understand. Good advice above re how to do it. Good luck op. Exciting times.

BillMasheen · 22/01/2021 11:41

Rename the child?

HeronLanyon · 22/01/2021 11:41

Or maybe actually réhome your child ? Grin

user1471455692 · 22/01/2021 11:43

My mum rescued a dog with the same name as my dad and grandfather. She renamed him as said she wasn't going to stand around in fields yelling out their name. She went for something similar and the dog adapted quickly, he was older than 3-it's really not a problem.

MaddeningtheUnhelpful · 22/01/2021 11:44

like others have said rename the dog. Rescued a dog years ago and kept the same Sh beginning but changed the end (to change names). Or go with sound, so if dog is called Joe change to Beau

SkySmiler · 22/01/2021 11:47

Rename pooch, he'll adjust v quickly

babybunny123 · 22/01/2021 11:47

we renamed our two year old rescue dog, he started to respond to it after about a week.

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