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The doghouse

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Original poster

Renaming a rescue dog

9 replies

doodleygirl · 31/01/2023 20:31

We are counting down the days when we get our gorgeous rescue girl. We would like to rename her, has anyone done this, how easy is it to do, any tips?

OP posts:

Mylaferret · 31/01/2023 20:33

Very easy. Choose a new name, then settle down on the floor with some treats and call the new name. When she looks at you (she doesn't need to actually come to you, just show some sort of reaction), immediately give her a treat. Repeat at random times, takes a couple of minutes a few times a day and she will soon get the idea that "name" means her.

Original poster

doodleygirl · 31/01/2023 20:35

Should we do it straight away or wait until she is settled

OP posts:

JimmyGrimble · 31/01/2023 20:36

We adopted two lovely whippet lurcher girls in November. They were both called after members of the royal family and my husband refused to call them that (I thought it wa quite funny). We’ve renamed them and it’s been fine. Our girls were picked up as strays though and only had their regal names for about a week.

SirSniffsAlot · 31/01/2023 20:37

A new name is actually a good idea. It'll be a sound that she (hopefully) has no previous good/bad/indifferent association with so makes it quicker and easier for her to link it to good things in her new home.

Use it from day 1 and only ever for nice things - at least at first. As pp says, pair it with treats. Just go easy for a few days (at least) on specific training with it, so only for very short periods and only when she seems keen.

Original poster

doodleygirl · 31/01/2023 20:41

Thank you. She is not coming from an abusive background but we do want to have a name that we have chosen

OP posts:

tinselvestsparklepants · 31/01/2023 20:45

We renamed ours by just calling her the new name. She responded to the sound / context I think ie if you call for someone the inflection is more important than the actual name. She picked it up very quickly. But then again she is a Clever Girl and the Best Dog in the World so I am not surprised.

JeepersCreepersWheredYaGetThosePeepers · 31/01/2023 20:59

Yes we've renamed rescue dogs.

However, it's best if you do it as soon as you get them, so they get used to you using their new name immediately!

urrrgh46 · 31/01/2023 21:12

i was told that the best way to do this was to use the new name attached to the old name eg old name is Millie new name Polly so you would say "Millie Polly" to call them. Gradually dropping the Millie so they respond to Polly and obvs rewarding when they do.

KrasiTime · 01/02/2023 07:36

tinselvestsparklepants · 31/01/2023 20:45

Sorry she’s the second best. My girl is the best 😁

Ours is a rescue. We started calling her her new name straight away. Lots of treats when she responded. She too was named after a RF female 😁

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