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Original poster

Would it be weird (or workable) to change our dog's name?

66 replies

BorntoDillyDally · 04/09/2025 15:15

We have a 5 year old rescue dog. He has been with us now for 3 years.

I have never liked his name for a few reasons. The first is because it is the name given to him by his first owners, the ones who abused him and have caused him to be the very anxious and reactive little doggie that he is. The other reason is because it is horribly common and I just hate saying his name out in public, ridiculous, I know.

I have always given all of my pets human names - cats, dogs, guinea pigs and even our fish have all had human names.

Not sure why we didn't change his name as soon as we got him but I supposed I thought he wouldn't get used to it at 2 years old but is it too late now at 5 years old?

It's not a major thing I know but I wonder if anyone has changed their dog's name to a more suitable one and they got used to it?

OP posts:
Original poster
BorntoDillyDally · 04/09/2025 15:17

I have lots of names lined up that I'd prefer for him.

His current name is Bear, I really don't like it.

Do you think he'd suit a human name.

Would it be weird (or workable) to change our dog's name?
OP posts:
Sorejaws · 04/09/2025 15:18

Do you think he'd suit a human name.

how the fig are we meant to answer that OP

just stick with bear and don’t confuse the poor thing

Sorejaws · 04/09/2025 15:18

Ah just seen posted a pic!

He suits bear. His name. For 3 years

ReacherOMGyes · 04/09/2025 15:19

I think dogs don't actually know their name, they just know the sound you make when you call them, etc. So choosing another name that sounds similar and saying it in a similar way won't confuse him too much.

Or if you have the patience to teach him to react to a new name then just change it, introduce slowly along with the old name and he'll soon associate it with the same things he does now

DiscoBob · 04/09/2025 15:19

What about Barry or Baz? I think it would help if it sounded a bit like the old name.
I changed my dogs name for similar reasons, to one that sounded like old one.

LandSharksAnonymous · 04/09/2025 15:19

Why don't you just use a nickname instead rather than 'officially' changing it? Most people have nick-names, or pet names, for their dogs.

DMum adopted. The dog was old enough she felt she couldn't change the name but we gradually introduced her to a nickname, and now she only answers to that. It's a rather unfortunate nick-name but it's miles better than her 'name.'

Coffeeishot · 04/09/2025 15:21

Do you have a nickname for him? I mean you can call him what you like im sure he would eventually get used to.it,

ReacherOMGyes · 04/09/2025 15:23

Just to add I adopted a cat who's name was apparently Fatty so the rescue centre changed it to Fanny, as if that was much better... I changed it to Sammy

XelaM · 04/09/2025 15:23

LandSharksAnonymous · 04/09/2025 15:19

Why don't you just use a nickname instead rather than 'officially' changing it? Most people have nick-names, or pet names, for their dogs.

DMum adopted. The dog was old enough she felt she couldn't change the name but we gradually introduced her to a nickname, and now she only answers to that. It's a rather unfortunate nick-name but it's miles better than her 'name.'

This. Our dog has loads of nicknames and he responds to all of them 😂

AcquadiP · 04/09/2025 15:29

He's gorgeous! Yes, you can change his name with repetition. I did this with two of my dogs. One didn't come with a name (abused abandoned dog picked up by a rescue) and the second dog (again rescued) had a name which she largely ignored and had a similar sound to another dog of mine. In the case of the first dog, I taught her her name by using it to call her for her food, treats, going for a walk, anything rewarding. With the second dog I doubled up her original name (Jess) with the name I gave her (Hope) and used it in exactly the same way as my first dog. Hope-Jess, Hope-Jess. It didn't take before I was able to drop the Jess.

Pancakeflipper · 04/09/2025 15:30

Can you link 2 names together to gradually change it? e.g. Barry Bear , "ooh well done Barry Bear"

I think your dog is utterly gorgeous.

Justbecauseyoucandoesntmeanyoushould · 04/09/2025 15:36

A dog can learn a new name. I've always rescued and have changed the dogs' names when I got them. One was six when I adopted her. She came from abroad, didn't "speak" English at all (looked at us blankly every time we spoke!) but she did eventually learn her name.
I like Bear, though. Suits the dog.

ResusciAnnie · 04/09/2025 15:38

Gosh I don’t think he looks like a Bear at ALL. More of a Graham or a Nigel. But I think it too late OP unless you can find a name that has the same intonation and vibe as Bear when called? So it basically sounds the same to him, but not to you?

GoodVibesOnly21 · 04/09/2025 15:51

He definitely would suit a human name! As for changing it, I think you probably should keep his original name and still use it but also add in a nickname and use that that too. I have lots of names for my dog and she doesn’t mind at all. I suppose only use her real name for recall, the rest of the time it’s nicknames.

GoodVibesOnly21 · 04/09/2025 15:51

I think Bernard or Bernie would suit him.

SparklyGlitterballs · 04/09/2025 15:55

My brother rescued a dog via Dogs Trust and she had an awful old fashioned woman's name. They changed it to a completely different sounding 'doggy' name and she very quickly began responding to it.

Noshadelamp · 04/09/2025 15:58

He will get used to a new name. We had nicknames for our boy, he answered to all of them, he understood he had more than one name.
Start using both names together and then gradually increase the new and decrease the old.
He's gorgeous btw, looks like a Ted or Charlie to me!

SummerHouse · 04/09/2025 16:01

Blair?

Slowly transitioning to Mitch.

Full name: Bear Blair Mitch Project.

Arlanymor · 04/09/2025 16:01

He looks like a Barkley to me... I agree with the doubling up: Hey Barkley Bear... then drop the Bear over time. And let's be honest, there will be plenty of nicknames in his future too.

I had a Sid... a black watch tabby. He was called: Sid. Siddly Widdly Woo. Sid Stripey Pyjamas. Sid Wicious (with the 'W' when he was a bit naught in his kitten years and liked chewing toes).

Currently a Harry. He is Harry. Haz Paz. Harry Beau (like Haribo). Harry Parry. Harry I Long To Be Freeeee (when he meows in his carrier when he has to go to the vet - and you have to sing it to the tune of Queen's song obviously).

He's gorgeous, well done on you for rescuing. Hope you have a fab future together.

OnlyHerefortheBiscuits · 04/09/2025 16:01

I don't think dogs attach the same significance and sense of identity to a name that we do. Go ahead and change it.

My dog responds to pretty much any word I throw in her direction in the same "calling" tone of voice.

Clearinguptheclutter · 04/09/2025 16:01

I like Bear and I don’t think it’s “common”
and I’m a snob

EggcornTheEscapeGoat · 04/09/2025 16:01

It's totally doable to change a dog's name. Just call him 'Bear New Name' for a few weeks, then drop the 'Bear'. If the old name has bad connotations for him, he might even be happier not to hear it anymore.

I prefer human names for pets too, and we changed our rescue dog's name after we got him with the method above. No issues; he was responding happily to his new name in no time!

Costcogroupie · 04/09/2025 16:01

The dog won't care what you call him, so long as he still has his nice life and favourite food

gandeysflipflop · 04/09/2025 16:05

my 10 year old dog responds to lots of different names as we've given him so many affectionate nicknames over the years.
I meet lots of different dogs on our walks and have yet to come across one named bear so its not that common. How about start using Teddybear as a nickname and in time maybe you could drop the bear?

LandSharksAnonymous · 04/09/2025 16:07

@XelaM one of mine responds to 'Oi. Old Bag' and I'm sure there used to be a poster who had nicknamed her dog PissyPaws. 😁

Perhaps not quite the human names OP is after, but it might well be better than 'Bear'