Changing a dogs name

[hairycabbage]

We're hoping to rehome a 1 year old dog very soon. She's perfect in every way but has the same name as our recently deceased dog. We talked about keeping the name but it feels very strange for many reasons.
This has been her name since 8 weeks old so she's definitely used to it.
Would you keep the name anyway/ change it completely/ pick something similar? I want to make the transition as smooth as possible and if changing the name makes it even more confusing then we won't!

What's the name? We might be able to find something that sounds similar enough but is different

It's quite unusual so quite outing! Similar syllables/ intonation as Sammy

My rescue dog started responding to Bubba (😳) about 4 days after he came home. Nothing like his real name at all. I honestly think you could easily and quickly change her name with little bother.

She'll soon get used to a new name.

Can you use current name with new name like double barrelled for a few weeks then drop the first bit ? It's the sound they know not the actual name. So Tammy Pants could become Pants!
My 4 answer to all sorts! Strangely not each other's names though!

That's true, our old dog would respond to lots of variations of her actual name.
Maybe we could try the double barrelled name 🤔

A but you get because my rescue pup is four months old, but the name she had happens to also be my sister’s name so we changed it. Took her a couple of days and now she happily responds to her new name.

I literally just kept treats in my pocket and every time I said the word, I’d give her one if she looked at me/approached me.

With dogs, I always think it’s more about the tone than the actual name while they’re getting used to it.

If I shout get here you awful fucker one of mine comes running! Was doing a test to show dc they are so greedy they will appear for food under any name...

Love that- I used to shout random names that sounded similar and she'd come running 😂

I would change it but so that it still sounded the same so not too confusing for her..

So for example, if she was called Maisie,I’d call her lazy! Sorry not the best I could think of, that’s the only girl dog’s name I know off my street!

Hahaha love this! My dog is called Billy & i I shout silly he comes🤣

Mine answers to knob head, fat face, nugget...... it's the tone you use, they will come to anything if you say it right

Try a similar name Bailie becomes Hailie. Fred becomes Ted. Arlo becomes Carlo. A lot harder if you have a difficult name like Tintin.

I think though if you say a new name and produce a treat regularly they would soon catch on.

Thank you. I have a few options I think! No doubt within a few weeks she'll be fluffbottom/ hairyface and all sorts!

We did this - think Harry to Barry, Zulu to LouLou type thing - and it worked absolutely fine.

Mine answers to multiple variations of his own name, as well as baby boy, peachy bum, cheeky chops, etc.
Just use her new name from the beginning. She doesn't know her name is her name, if you see what I mean. She knows someone else says a word (eg Sammy) to get her attention, and she'll learn super quickly that you say another word (eg your new name) to get her attention.

When we rescued our pooch his name got changed and he reacts to it with no issues 🐾 i

You can honestly change a dog's name in 5 mins if you have chicken in your hand.
Also, many dogs are handed into rescue with a name they have never been taught - so just because you're told his name is X that doesn't mean he knows it or even has good associations with it.
New start, new name!

Every dog on our local field thinks its real name is 'Biscuits'!

Our rescue was a stray so he was given a temporary name by the shelter and then we gave him a new name and he answered to both really quickly. Lots of reinforcement of the name with attention, food and treats and she will get it really quickly!

Pick one with the same sound at the beginning and I think she will get used to it quickly

My rescue had had 3 previous owners and 3 name changes by the time I got him. I changed his name again with no problem.
I've found it's more the tone of voice, rather than the name because I can get him to respond to anything!

Most puppies think they're called "No" 😂😂

I would just go with the new name you want from the start rather than trying for a similar sounding name as it's just like teaching them a new command. Dog hears the sound and gets rewarded for giving human its attention. They all end up with a variety of nicknames they'll respond to.

To the dog it's just a sound. If you use a new sound often enough with treat based rewards it'll have it sussed in no time.