When you take in a rescue dog, can you change its name or would it be unkind?

[2T2T]

Just wondering....................

I WOULD change the name. A new name and a new behaviour with a new owner it makes it much clearer for the dog. If the old owner allowed different behaviour when you called the name this will still continue. New name will be clearer to the dog what you want them to do when you call their name. The dog really has no sentimental attachment to a name (unless it is Fish of course that can never be changed)

I think there is a theory Ephiny that the old name will remind of old owners and old situations which may not have been very pleasant

Our dog's first name was also ridiculous and not one anyone wanted to shout in the woods, especially dh as he would have sounded like a child molester.

He has a more macho name now

We have had our rescue dog for two weeks. When we went to the rescue centre he was called Bubbles. It kept reminding me of Michael Jacksons monkey. We changed it to Bumble and for the five visits i made before i brought him home we called him that. He loves his new name!!

Ours had a name given to him by the pound, so he hadn't had that very long either - not to mention they'd called the poor bugger Brian, but couldn't spell very well so he was down on all the paperwork as Brain.

No way was I sticking with that!

Didn't rename the cat from the one the rescue had given her when we got her (despite my plan) as it really did suit her - but Brain and my boy... never the two shall meet!

I don't think it would be a problem - our dogs have loads of nicknames and answer to then as well as their real names! :)

so, if and when I get my rescue pooch - we can have fun choosing a new name for him/her! Am very excited now!

Did you phone, 2T?

I too can't resist keeping an eye out, although as we have loft extension to do, and family holiday, I shouldn't think about it yet....keep thinking perhaps I could visit a lot, pay dog's expenses whilst in foster care, get to know each other, then re-home in September...
IOW I am finding it hard to wait!

ps Val told me about Pro Dogs too, and I have it bookmarked....fell in love with Mia, thankfully seems to have found a home otherwise I was doomed

We changed our rescue dog's name. She only had the name the rescue had given her anyway, her previous name wasn't know.

She's deaf though, so she wouldn't know any better

My Mum and Dad got a rescue dog and changed her name but they changed it to something similar sounding, say the dog was called Tom, they called it John. Never had a problem with it.

Elibean - no not yet! I really have to wait until SEptember so no point getting all worked up yet even though it is difficult! It wouldn't be fair to reserve a dog for that long either I don't think. How does 'reserving' work anyway? I see some dogs on sites that have been 'reserved' for ages! It seems a bit mean when they could be rehomed in the meantime .
The general concesus is that a dog doesn't mind what its name is as long as it is happy, loved and its needs are met. Roll on Sept!

At the risk of outing myself to those in the know, my dog was a stray and they allocate names in kennels. Next on the list was Henrietta . Now that would go down very well in the village where I live.... so I changed it to something completely different (even though she would have very much suited Hattie and I regret not calling her that...).

Seriously, 2T2T.. they answer to whatever gets them a treat or a fuss or a favourite game

MJ = I love the names Henrietta and Hattie! I would love to call a female dog Gloria or Mabel! For a boy to would have to be Bertie or Harry (though my children would probably veto both!). What did you call your dog???

we changed our rescue dog's name. the dogs trust didnt know what his name was as he was a stray. they chose a name which i liked but ds (who has asd) chanted a rhyming slang using his name on the way home in the car so it was change his name or live forever with this slogan being chanted

It fell to a hurried vote and Roxy won. She has a fair bit of Hattie Jacques about her though so am sad I felt rushed. I just couldn't shout "Henriettaaaa!" across the playing fields here though, as I would have been surrounded by several 10 year old girls in seconds!

I didn't know your son has ASD, Chick... mine too (of sorts!)

2T2T.. my old dog - Bear (see profile) had a best mate who used to come over for sleepovers and she was an SBT called Linda. Linda also lived with a cat called Robert. Bear also used to love a 20 year old dog (seriously.. that old) called Robert... he used to trot along with him until Robert got tired. I love those kind of names for animals

MJ - asd of sorts?

ds was petrified of dogs when younger, hence our decision to befriend dog owners and ending up with dogs ourselves. best thing we ever did for ds. it improved his confidence and social skills

2T2T - love all the names you posted also know a dog called Doug which i like

Chick - that ones for another topic... think Aspergers, but not. But is, but isn't. And is. I'll chat to you off board if you are interested . It's def not one for The Doghouse!

DS has never been afraid of dogs as he grew up with Bear. I had to instill a fear in him, so he didn't go blindly up to all dogs assuming they were like Bear. I like the way you got the proverbial bull by the horns and allayed his fear. Most build it, even inadvertently.

Ohhh. and I know a dog called Doug too.... fab.

MOTHERJACK - that is hilarious! Such briliant names! I love Colin for a dog too and Mavis. I know for sure my children would object STRONGLY to those though The dogs you mentioned sound like old dears in a doctors surgery - how brilliant! Oh and but the way, does your daugheter go to private school by any chance?!!!

She might if I had one 2T2T

I love Colin too, although I could see it more for a cat...

My DD has a popular dogs name and once when I called her in the park a little spaniel came tanking up to me.
Owner was a bit until I explained I was calling my DD

I wasn't going to mention that my DS has a popular certain breed dog's name, but now you have, LOTF, I confess!! One of the mums at school came to ask DS if he minded if they name one of their pups after him the other week

I went specifically for what I did so it WASN'T a common kid's name - since then - I've come across three kids with it!

Lordof flies - that is so funny !
MJ - what's the name?!!!!
emptyshell - always the way!