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A
good name is more desirable than
great riches;
to be esteemed is better than
silver or gold.
Proverbs 22:1 (NIV) |
Trying to figure out the
perfect name
for your pet?
Some people believe that names can affect the
way people behave and how they feel about
themselves. Puritans believed this and gave
their children names like Felicity and Obedience
in hope that the children would live up to their
names. But could the same thing be true of dogs?
Would you feel as comfortable petting a dog
named Killer or Psycho as you would petting
Waggles or Molly?
Choosing the name for your dog is an important
decision, but along with showing off your
originality, perhaps you should try to capture
the essence of your dog, too.
In the past we tended to name our dogs based on
some physical or personality trait, like Spot or
Rover. However, today we think of dogs as real
family members, and the latest trend is to give
dogs human names, names that we would give our
children.
According to the ASPCA's official list of top 30
pet names, the two most popular names are
Max, Maxie, Maxwell or Maxine, which means "the greatest" in
Latin, and Sam, Sammie or Samantha, which means "listener."
Scanning the list you will also find Buddy, Ginger, Jake,
Maggie and Charlie, a list not unlike a grade school
attendance roster.
But not every dog is given a human name. The list also
contains some tried-and-true oldies that are still popular,
like Lady, Buster, Patches and Pepper. And these names give
you an idea of the dog, either his personality or
appearance.
Dog names arise from many popular categories. For example,
movies and television have inspired such names as Beethovan,
Radar, Scully, and Rocky, while
the arts have given us Beowulf, Bronte, Plato,
Elvis and Mozart. Chanel and Calvin
materialized from the fashion world, and geographically
speaking, Dakota, Sydney and Paris are also on the map.
But let's not forget about the
dog's personality. Names that reflect the very nature of
your pet may be the way to go. After all, we probably have a
pretty good picture of a dog that's called Mayhem, Frisky,
Adipose, Morpheus or
Couch Potato.
How do you go about naming your dog? You might want to
observe your new pet for a few days and see if the
personality suggests a name. But, for a start, keep the
following tips in mind:
The general sound and rhythm of the name
is important. You will say it and your dog will hear it over
and over again. If the name is too long or too difficult to
say, your pup will become confused or lose interest by the
time you get to the fourth syllable.
Choose a name that your pet
will easily recognize. Some experts say the ideal name is
two syllables ending with a vowel sound, like Sami or
Lassie.
Avoid names that sound too
much like standard commands. For example, when you call
Snowy or Joe, your dog might only hear "No."
Pick a name that will be
just as appropriate once your pet is full-grown. A pup named
Damage or Havoc may eventually grow up to be a quiet,
stately dog.
Pick a name that you will
be proud to call. Shadow or Molly might be less embarrassing
than Ooga Booga or Hey You.
Once you have named your dog, be sure to use it often so he
will learn it quickly. But remember, you want your dog to
like his name. Try to use it only when you are playing with
him, petting him, hugging him or trying to get his
attention. Don't use it when you are angry or reprimanding
him. If you
raise
your
voice every time you use his name, he
won't come when you call.
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