Ten Tips for Choosing a Suitable Name for Your Puppy

Choosing the right name for your new puppy may take a little time, as there are so many different names to choose from. It is important to remember that dogs respond well to high frequency sounds and names that end with a vowel, so you could perhaps name your new companion Sheba, Chico, Solo or Kassie. Most importantly, though, the name you choose will need to suit your dog. The following tips are designed to help you decide on the perfect name:

1. Take your time- Don't be tempted to rush into choosing a name for your pet. It will probably take several days to find out what your dog's personality is like and how well it responds to certain sounds.

2. Involve others - If you are struggling to come up with many good ideas, why not involve other family members or friends to see what suggestions they can come up with. You could even put all the most suitable names into a box and get someone to draw one out. Perhaps you could run a competition and make some money for a local pet shelter at the same time.

3. Famous names - You could take some inspiration from famous canines like Lassie or Benji, or use a name from a recent book you have read. There may be a famous person you admire that has the perfect name for your pooch.

4. Think about size - Consider the size of your dog, as a name like Nelson or Major may not suit your Yorkshire terrier. It is also worth remembering that a name suitable for your small puppy may not be suitable for it when it grows up.

5. Consider coat colour - The colour of your dog's coat could offer the perfect solution. You could choose a name like Ebony, Brownie, Snowy or Sandy.

6. Consider coat type - Think about your dog's coat. Perhaps it has a long, silky or wiry coat that could inspire a name like Silky or Scruffy.

7. Consider something unusual - Try to choose a name that is a bit different, as this will hopefully avoid you meeting numerous dogs with the same name when you take your dog out for walks.

8. Choose short names - Pick a short, simple name that is easy to say. It is best to choose a name that contains either one or two syllables. If you do decide on a longer name for your dog, it may end up getting shortened anyway.

9. Avoid confusion - It is best to avoid names that may get confused with common commands like "stay" or "sit." You should therefore avoid names like Shay or Kit.

10. Try it out - Once you have decided on a name, you will need to try it out to see how your dog responds to it. With a bit of luck, your dog will love the name as much as you do!

Hopefully, the above points will help you find the perfect name for your new companion. Always remember to use your dog's name in a positive way, as punishing your dog when its name is called may lead to behavioral problems later on.