I know this question is probably going to make some of you despair but I'm going to ask anyway.

I'm going to look at a 2 year old dog and the breeder mentioned its name over the phone.

The name is pretty hideous.

Can you rename a dog when it's this age?

I'm thinking that when Battersea find strays they must give them nicknames but do you think this is going to affect the relationship I have with the dog?

: S

A dog can easily be renamed :-)

Oh I do hope so!

How can I best do this? Should I just start using a new name?

Would the breeder be offended? Is it best not to mention?

: )

Hi
Someone I know rescued a dog and didn't like the given name
*shelly* so she changed it to Berry, which she liked but sounded somewhat similar!
What is the name anyway? maybe you could plat around with it a bit.

Ahem... I'm concious that the breeder may check the site so I can't say yet but I think that's quite a good idea, you've just had.

I think the name would have to be quite different though - I'm not sure that anything half-decent could sound similar!

Thanks Ali...

I'm raking my brains!

You call your dog just what every you like. Make sure you can use it in public. all the best. Jackie H

Thank you Jackie!

I have to say I'm more into the one-syllable type names - Stan and Jack are at the top of the list for me. Of course it all depends on what he looks like!

But I certainly wouldn't be using the other one in public!

;)

Hi Juliet
I am so intrigued by this name. Its gonna drive me mad.
Can you email it to me? I promise no to laugh :D
Ali

O.K. Have done.

But I'll not be held responsible if you wet yourself!

x

RATFLMAO @ Juliet :D :D
Sorry I know I promised not to laugh but HA HA HA HA :D :D
:D :D
I would love to be in the same park as you at the same time, just to hear you call your dog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Actually I quite like it :p
Ali

You see what I mean then!?

: P

yeah but its still very cute :D

Oh for goodness sake put us out of our misery what is it's b***y name. Jackie H

Yes tell us or were not speaking to you :) :)

Mattie & JH
Hopefully Juliet will email you & tell you. I would but I don't want to get in trouble :D
Anyway, I actually think its a lovely name :)

me want to know too:D

Pam n the boys

and you thought your question was stupid???????????????????????????????????
poor soul no wonder it needs a new home. Sure it will reward you for changing it's name who wouldn't. Jackie H

**How can I best do this? Should I just start using a new name?**

Yep, use name constantly before 'giving' the dog anything ie food, putting on lead, brushing, fuss, so dog associates name, with themselves with attention/something good.

Also sit with pile of tidbits, and dog in front. Give tidbit, take another one, put on dogs nose, say new name, lift tidbit to your nose so dog looks at you, if you get eye contact dog gets treat.

If you have a multiple dog household a dog will learn it's name much quicker as this is what distinguishes itself from the others :-) Single dogs don't have to compete so much so can take longer to become 'the name' :-)

Oh that's fantastic.

Thank you!

It will be our first dog we've owned so if we actually do get paired up with this little fellow, I'll keep your advice in mind!

: )

Juliet - you can't get away with all these hints - we all want to know what the name is!!!!!

Changing names is no problem, my dogs answer to a variety of different names and quickly realise its them I'm talking to (or about). If you rescue a dog you probably won't know the name anyway.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

Does not matter what you call a dog they know when you are addressing them they just chose it ignore you most of the time, having checked youv'e not got food. Jackie H

Hi there,

I have 2 ex-racing Greyhounds (both rescue of course) my first was renamed Dolly in the rescue, which I was not keen on a changed to Zola it did not seem to take her long to get the hang of it. The other one had three homes before us, and some bright spark had named him Dave, I tried to change it to Pongo, as he was but my other half liked Dave and so it had to stay. Just to say many ex-racing greyhounds do not seem to have a name when they arrive, or it is just not known and they are often between 3 - 6 years old and learn their new names very quickly. good luck.

Lynda

Wonderful!

This all comes as a complete relief!

Bless Dave, eh?!!

I have emailed those who wanted to know the name directly!

Julie : D

Julie - it gave me a real giggle - have replied privately - thanks for the laugh.

Pam n the boys

Okay I'm now desperate to know too, can't be that bad (unless it's Cuthbert ;) )

Beth

I want to know too - can't read all this thread and then not find out what it is :D
Mail me please :)
Must rhyme with something
Sara

You've got to tell me too its not fair!

& me! :)

And me:D Please....
Anita

I know lol :)

And me please :)
Gina

My rescued lurcher Nellie didn't have a name when I got her, and she was new into the rescue so they hadn't even got a chance to call her anything. Within about 24 hours she was responding to her name. Also, my Italian Greyhound Norman (yes I know, I'm sorry!!) was called Kyle when I got him (his brother was Kenny, as in South Park), but he just didn't look like a Kyle, he looked like a Norman- you'd agree if you met him! I just used the name Kyle followed immediately by his new name, then after a day or two dropped the original name. No problem!

Now, pleeeeaaase, I must know your dog's name, the suspense is killing me........
Please don't say it's Norman....!
Liz

OK then mattie your turn youve got to tll me lol :D

Someone tell me as well please please please.

Karen

Utterly entrigued Juliet what on earth is his name? Can you mail me it?

KirstyS
:)

Now it's bugging me:D Someone pleeeeaaaaase let me know- go on I'll be your bestest friend;)

Stacey x x x

i asked and youve not emailed me yet :(

Eeeeeek!

I've created a monster-load of replies!

I wasn't going to mention the name in case all does not happen....

I left my computer yesterday and I'm here again today and am submerged!!

It sounds like Ali has given out the name : )

I'm not posting it, full stop. But it's pretty bad.

I really don't want to offend the breeder who I got to know thru' a contact on here!!

Maybe you can email those that know the name directly and ask!

Sorry to be cryptic!!

(And I quite like the idea of a Greyhound being called Norman!)

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Juliet
I have my fingers crossed that all goes well :) I hope you get him:)
I had such a giggle emailing everyone last night, Don't worry they are all sworn to secrecy!! ;)
I actually like the name you came up with STAN very cute:)

Thank you!!!

: )

Julie x

Juliet

What about Ziggy ????????? (similar ISH ???????) but a lot nicer, granted or just Izzy ????

Or what about Izzles from the Tweenies???

Fiona
x x x

I think we're going to have to look at him when we get him home and give him the name that suits him best. Like the idea of introducing it next to his other name. Or with a treat.

: )

Yes renaming is no problem at this age, My friend has just got a 2.5 year old dog and renamed him BUT she did choose a name that began with the same letter and a week on and he responds perfectly to his new name.

Oh for goodness sake what is the doogs flipping name. Would someone e mail me too please?????

Oh ive just read this and i really really really really want to know PLEASE
Lowri

me too

Me tooooooo !!! :(
My Gsd, was a cast off from a breeder, at 9 months I took her on.
She was called Esta, and all I could think of was Esta Ranson, Hope thats spelt right. I hated it, So I changed her name to Cassie, she adjusted straight away.:D

Jane:)
LOL LOL ROFLOL Thanks Ali !:)
Poor dog, I now know why.:D Can you just imagine shouting that in the park, You wouldn't Dare! :D

I do hope everybody is happy now :D
You know who you are :D

In Fact, It sounds like one of Paula Yates children :D

Jane:)