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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:
Sakura7 · 22/01/2021 12:42

There's no reason at all why you can't rename the dog, it's not something to turn him down over. Rescues usually rename dogs anyway, so it might not even be his original name. This is a total non issue.

livelyredjellybean · 22/01/2021 12:43

Absolutely you can change the dogs name!!! I’ve insisted a client change his dogs name before as his 2 dogs names were too similar and the dog picked up her new name easily. Even if you don’t change it, it’s fine - my DH’s best friend has a dog with the same name as his son. No drama there.

byebyeboyee · 22/01/2021 12:48

You can absolutely change the name ideally to a similar thing like John, prong, mr.long. although dog will probably be fine with any name definitely try the treat approach I've only had cats but I've renamed most of them as they didn't have one or it was just too stupid

Givemeabreak88 · 22/01/2021 12:49

I would rename it, I know it’s sad but yes it would bother me

Els1e · 22/01/2021 12:54

My mum’s rescue dog had the same name as my sister. My mum just changed his name and he soon learnt to respond. He doesn’t respond to my sister’s name at all but oddly does come trotting up when calling the cat. The dog is convinced the cat is going to get a treat or something.

TJH1 · 22/01/2021 13:12

Rename you son? Sorry I couldn’t resist.
Hope all goes well with your adoption, the dog will be fine with a new name.

GameSetMatch · 22/01/2021 13:16

It’s a good idea to rename a dog when you adopt them, it signals a new start and new behaviour, pick a new two syllable name for your dog, why overlook the perfect dog who needs a home because of its name.

dirtydogtowelsaremycarpet · 22/01/2021 13:22

Our last dog (let's call him Max) had the same name as dd's boyfriend and ds's best friend. We generally didn't get too mixed up apart from the time I told someone how Max had chewed dd's bra up.

1forAll74 · 22/01/2021 13:25

I think your son would like this, it's kind of an amusing family thing.

MrsBennettsSecretSon · 22/01/2021 13:31

You can easily rename a dog silly Grin

As long as the vowels are the same it will be no trouble (or even if not)

Eg Toby could become Cody and would respond

What’s the name? We might be able to help Smile

Bilgepumper · 22/01/2021 13:33

Agree, rename the dog! He would rather have a forever home than hang onto his old name.

Mummaminnie · 22/01/2021 14:06

Gah! I pressed the wrong button! YANBU, rehome and rename.

handsandfeet · 22/01/2021 14:07

No you can't have son and dog with same name. That's just silly

Twospaniels · 22/01/2021 14:08

You can definitely rename the dog.

My sister rehomed a one yr old dog and changed his name and by the end of the day he knew it. Just keep saying it when you do something with the dog, give him a treat.

It wasn’t even a similar name, completely different sound

Scarcity20 · 22/01/2021 14:09

Lots of people rename rescue dogs as the old name could be associated with trauma /bad treatment. I'd think of it as a sign it's meant to be ❤️

NetballHoop · 22/01/2021 14:16

Rename the dog. Our rescue was called Sausage and he took to his new name easily.

Just as well as I didn't fancy calling out Sausage loudly in the park.

Hotzenplotz · 22/01/2021 14:16

@BillMasheen

Rename the child?
Grin Perfect solution.
Northernlass99 · 22/01/2021 14:16

We have always had rescues and always changed their names. They don't care! If they have been a stray the name they have in the Kennels is just one picked (usually in rotating alphabetical order) by them anyway. The important thing is that the dog suits you and your circumstances.

RincewindsHat · 22/01/2021 14:25

Our rescue dog when we were growing up had the same name as me :) we would both come running whenever my mum called the name out but it never did either of us any harm!

dentydown · 22/01/2021 14:29

When your son is in trouble you’re going to say his name, middle name and surname anyway. Grin

In all seriousness you could rename the dog, or if you really like the dog, you’re going to figure it out either way!

NavyFlask · 22/01/2021 14:42

When MIL adopted a pair they were named Lady Di and Dodi! Shock

They were renamed within an hour of getting home...

RickiTarr · 22/01/2021 15:12

You just rename it with something that sounds very similar. Either a rhyming name or the same internal sounds.

So if they are both called Tom, the dog can become John, Dom, Ron or Kong etc.

ImAncient · 22/01/2021 15:17

We renamed our 6year old bitch when we got her. Not an issue at all.

ErrolTheDragon · 22/01/2021 15:26

Glad that seems to be settled... but doesn't everyone occasionally call their DC by the dog's name and vice versa anyway?Grin

My dog came with a name which is a diminutive of DBs, which we wouldn't have chosen but it suited him and we CBA to rename him.

Piapea · 22/01/2021 15:28

My family have a cat called Tom and a brother called Thomas. We just call them cat Tom and human Tom. My brother is not impressed Grin