changing the name of a rescue dog

[namechangenumber5]

What would you think of this? I don't want to out myself so will spare the details but this dog has an awful name, I feel embarrassed saying it.

We did with ours. His old name was very similar to our son's name, so it seemed kinder all round given that DS was quite naughty back then.

He coped fine. We reinforced the new name with food a lot and he learned it really quickly.

PS: Is it Adolf?

Yes, just do it. I've changed the names of two of my rescue collies on the way home from collecting them and it hasn't been a problem for them or us. They seem quite happy to accept that new people = new way of calling them. No sentimentality from the dogs as long as they're cared for. Good luck with your new dog :-)

Fartago?

Go for it. Your dog (I presume it's your new dog) is pretty bright and will learn the new name well and the rescue centre will be used to it if you contact them. They only call the animals by daft names to make it easier to identify them. The ordinary names get used so often and they probably get really bored with them.

Also congratulations on getting a new canine friend, you lucky thing.

My first bitch had no name; she was found running loose on the road and taken in by a kind person, who couldn't keep her, so I took her as I'd been looking for a younger dog. My second bitch arrived with a name very similar to the one we'd given the first, so changed it to something completely different; they both managed fine.

We changed our Battersea pups name ,its one of his middle names now ( he has 2 middle names) ,but he had only had the name a week .

Yes no problem at all. I did with my older rescue. I used a clicker to teach it to her so it was a doddle.

We have had our rescue girl for five days and she is already responding really well to her new name :)

Don't think it's a problem ...when I call one dog by another's name they will often respond as it's the tone of voice rather than the actual name.

Did it for my latest rescue (the rescue had named him). Did not do it for my previous rescue as he was handed in (from divorce) with his name already, so felt it would be a bit cruel to rename after 7 years of being used to current name. But in all honesty, it probably wouldn't have mattered anyway.

I think I told you all what happened with mine?
She was leftover from a litter with her sister and handed into a pound before being rescued. The pound had given her and her sister names. We went to see her, walked her etc and then went for lunch to consider whether we were for a dog. We were, and we discussed names and said she really didn't look like that name, she looked like a name she is now. We went back and the rescue found out the breeders vaccination card and it had the same name on it that we had just chosen for her!

We were all :o

Thanks all of you! I have to admit I was scared to look back at the thread as I assumed it was going to be considered a real no-no! Will use a clicker, thanks for the good stories and advice! And I really won't out myself but suffice it to say the name is ridiculously posh and sounds really silly with my accent.

Hugo then ! :o

We changed our dogs name. After 18 months of being called something else, she picked her new name up very quickly.

Our dog's name was changed due to having been forcibly removed from an abusive owner. No problems whatsoever. Dogs respond to love foremost. Names second.

Our Ben was originally called Bob, we had to change as DH is Bob too! Chose Ben for the B sound, reinforced with Lidl frankfurters, job done. Five years with us now, bless his paws.