Changing the name of a rescue dog - would you?

[MackerelOfFact]

Is it fair to change the name of a fully-trained rescue dog, with good reason (such as the existing name belonging to a family member?)

I imagine it's fairly simple if there's an alternative name that sounds similar, but if there's not, what do you do?

Part of me thinks a name to a dog is essentially just a command, and teaching a new command isn't overly traumatic.

The other part thinks that having to deal with a new name, when they're already trained to recognise their existing name, is too much change to deal with on top of a new home, family, area, etc.

Thoughts?

Marjorie? :-). We had a foster dog with a horrid name that we changed that had same first syllable sound. It was fine. And my DH always calls 'fuckface' to our dog ( who has a perfectly nice name) in a caring singsong voice and he comes every time! It's tone I think!!!

Oh and good luck! Neighbours had a failed guided of who was so lovely

Presumably, as it's a withdrawn guide dog, you won't be bound by the guide dog rules about treats etc?

Because we changed ddog2's name in under half an hour, with the aid of gravy bones. Dh took her into a room, and every time she looked at him, he said her new name and gave her a bit of gravy bone. Then he progressed to waiting until she was looking away, saying the name, and giving her a bit of gravy bone when she looked at him. She learned very quickly indeed.

We've always changed rescue dogs names and it's never been a problem. Didnt bother choosing similar sounding names either and just called them that from the start. Only took them a few hours to realise that this new word meant they got a treat, or dinner, or a walk, play or cuddle!