What about changing a puppy’s name when he’s already used to one?

[fred]

We have a puppy we got at age 10 weeks and have had for past 6 weeks. We named him the day he arrived with a common name for a person and he comes to that name very well. We wish now that we had given him a different name that describes how he acts — Hopalong (he’s a Havanese). Question: Is it possible to change his name at this point? If so, how best to go about it? Was thinking it might work to begin using both his current name + Hopalong together and eventually just Hopalong after some time has passed (suggested period?). What are the downsides to a name change when he’s used to one for past 6-7weeks? Would it just confuse him?

[JMFS]

We changed Gertie's name after training her with no issues. They pick it up quickly, especially when good things happen after you say their name. Mostly I use the cue for what I want her to do, rather than her name, which makes it even easier. Gertie, sit, for example. The name comes in handy for when I need Momo to stay there and Gertie to come here - they can differentiate most of the time, but otherwise it's just an attention getter. It makes me think of the comedian John Pinette's skit where he explains that salad is a promissory note - wait here because there's something else coming and it's even better! That's kind of how a dog's name works. Gertie has numerous names, depending on our mood. Gertrude, Gertie, Gerts, Gertrude Marie (when she's in trouble it's Both names and boy does she hustle!), Gertmeister, and my husband's favorite, "Fat Gertie." She's Not fat in the slightest but he sure thinks he's funny because I train with her so often and thus she gets a lot of (2 calorie) treats.

 

You'll typically say their name with the same intonation and they'll pick up on that more than the word. In another post we discussed a phenomenon that happens when we ask our dogs to do something, which we humans often miss. Usually when we ask our canines to sit, come, stay, etc . . . we make gestures or facial expressions, sometimes both. Dogs pick up on that more than they do the words. For instance, when I ask Gertie to stay I normally nod my head subconsciously, or I'll consciously put up my hand in a stop signal. She's learned to read that body language and follows those cues far more accurately than when I use only the word. I could say, "Oreos," and put up my hand and she'd stay. When it's both she and Momo I'm sure I look like a policeman directing traffic. :D

 

All that is to say, I've never had an issue with it and it's pretty darn easy to acclimate them to the new name.

[Adrienne Farricelli]

Hi Fred!

Welcome to the forums and congrats on your new puppy!

Jennifer provided great tips there!

If you want to pursue the technical route, when we want to change a dog's name, you would call your pup by his new name first, followed by the known name always praising and rewarding for coming when called. You would then continue saying the new name first and then start dropping the old name gradually. Start saying just a part of it, truncating it and perhaps even saying it in a lower tone and then dropping it completely. As a test at some point you would say the new time and hesitate and see if your pup anticipates you and rushes to you before you pronounce the old one. If he does, make sure to reward him with a jackpot of treats to make a strong impact.

 

If you have used accompanying hand gestures to get your pup to come, then he'll likely come, especially if, as Jennifer pointed out, you use the same intonation. Most dogs pay more attention to hand gestures than words so that would probably make the process smoother.

 

The downside is that it may sometimes take a bit to learn the new name, but in most cases, pups learn rather quickly. Make sure to start in a quiet area with little distractions. The good thing is that your puppy is new so you're not dealing with years and years of strong associations with a certain name.

Happy training!

Best,

Adrienne