How do you pick a puppy name? | Dr. Justine Lee

Posted by justinelee in Blog, Uncategorized

When I adopted my dog a few years ago, I wanted to pick a name that fit my dog’s personality. On my Dr. Justine Lee Facebook page, I held a contest on what to name him! Here are some of the names suggested:

1) Hershey

2) Spot

3) Max

4) Oreo

5) Checkers

6) “One of the Luckiest Dogs on Earth,” or “Lucky” for short

7) Banks

8) Abbott

9) Tate

10) Will

11) Drew

12) Huck

13) Gershwin

14) Emmy

15) LB (for Love Bug)

16) Mr. Bo Jangles

17) Q ball

18) 8 ball

19) Smudge

20) Tux

Despite all the awesome suggestions, I decided to go with “Milo.” I waited a day or two before picking it, but just felt that it fit his personality well.

So, how do you pick a name for a puppy? If you want to break free from the mold of traditional human names, here are a few helpful hints when it comes to picking a name for your pet.

In general, take a few days to get to know your new pet before coming up with a name. Their personality may give you a better idea of a name after a few days. (Lazy? Grumpy? Bashful? Sleepy?) Sometimes, the environment, city, street, or location where they were found might be a fun name. I named my friend’s dog Essie because she was abandoned in our “Emergency Services,” which is often called, “ES.” My last pit bull was named JP after Jamaica Plain, an up-and-coming (e.g., ghetto) subdivision of Boston where I used to live. (This is on the infamous “other” side of the tracks, where one needs a Pit Bull to safely walk down the street).

Next, pick a name that your pet will easily recognize, otherwise all your pet will hear is “blah, blah, blah, blah.” Using a two syllable name that ends with a vowel (e.g., Echo or Fido) may make it easier for your dog to identify its name. Also, pick a name you won’t be embarrassed by when your veterinarian hollers it out in the waiting room. “Buttkiss,” “B*tch,” or “Jerk” (yes, these were some of my actual clients’ dogs’ names) are a bit embarrassing for your vet to call out in a room full of people. (Yes, I would know. Go ahead and get your giggles out now, Prince Albert).

Finally, to prevent your dog from thinking you are always yelling at him, pick a name that doesn’t sound like a command. “Hound” sounds like “down,” so you shouldn’t be surprised if your dog always lies down when you talk to him.

What do you think? Have any names that you love?