can you change the dog's name?

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we're going to see a rescue dog tomorrow.
We really don't like the name much, and I was wondering if you can re train a dog (14 months old) to learn a new name? Or would it be too confusing? Obviously if we like the dog we'd learn to like the name too, but was just wondering if anyone has changed a dogs name?

I don't think there's any issue at all in changing a dog's name if you want to. Although they know their names dogs don't have the same sort of emotional attachment that to them that people do. It's just a word to them and once they've learned it then it makes no difference what it actually is.

All mine respond to a huge variety of daft nicknames which they've each earned over the duration of their lives, plus several words which refer to them all collectively

Mine responds to a variety of nick names I have for him so I would use both names interchangeably and then slowly drop the original name.

Yes, its not a problem

I've heard rescue staff suggest name changes before now, as it can be a clean start without the baggage associated by the previous name.

Yeah we call both of our dogs by proper names and nicknames and they respond to both, it's fine

My poor dog thinks she's called dog, as that's what DH always calls her.

My brother has a rescue lab. He changed his name but the dog was only five months. He very quickly got used to the new name.

I changed both my rescue dogs' names. The slightly older one we kept it sounding similar e.g. Sammy to Sully. With the younger dog we changed it completely. Neither dog really batted an eyelid.

It's also worth remembering that the same name can sound completely different in different accents so even by keeping a name it might sound differ to the dog anyway.

Oh thats promising them. We'll check with the carers obviously, but hopefully a) we like the dog, b) the dog likes us and c) we can choose our own name for him.

Very excited.

Our dog trainer showed us how to do
it inside an hour. You sit on the floor with a bag of food and say it's name and give it a treat/kibble. Watch tv/read a book, every couple of minutes dog name/treat.

Apparently it usually works within 10 minutes according to her

ok.
so, best boy names for a border terrier please...

I know 2, Rufus and Harry.

We changed our dogs name, she adapted very quickly.

*Seth

I read that the best dog names are two syllables long because it's easier to shout apparently. I like Angus for a border, or Eddie. Barney is my fave dog name of the minute but I don't think it suits a terrier.

I think it might help to give her the new start.

She may have bad associations with her old name if she's in rescue?

If you are giving her love, cuddles and treats, and using her new name a lot, she'll have great associations with that.

Our BT responds to her name and several different nicknames so you should be fine.
If we were to have a dog Bt it would be Archie, Timmy, Whiskey. We have a BT bitch. Fantastic bread.

• or whiskey *breed not bread!

I adopted a fifteen year old dog recently and changed his name as his previous one was horrible.
No problem! He knows I'm talking to him when he's fed and walked and petted.

We changed our last dogs name from Lady to Susie, they sounded similar enough that she had no problems and certainly not if there was food involved.

Could you tell us his actual name, so we can find something similar ?

awwww - we can't have him. Our daughter is too young for him and we also want to get a second dog at some point. v sad now. His actual name was/is Lenny.

Never mind OP, at least he is in a decent rescue. They will find him the appropriate home.
Happy dog hunting, you'll find your forever dog soon. 😄
P.S. Love Lenny (Lennox), my friends dog !

yes, it is important to get a good match for these special doggies. Onwards and upwards with the search.