Changing A Shelter Dog's Name

Sawyer hasn't always been "Sawyer." In fact, when I found him, his name was "Humboldt." Since he was getting a fresh start on life, I figured it might be a good idea to change his name. And, he didn't exactly look like a "Humboldt" to me.

One of my friends from college adopted a husky mix from the local animal shelter our senior year. She named him Huck. Ever since then, I have wanted a dog of my own, so once I finally got one, it was fitting that I should name him "Sawyer." So that way, Huck and Sawyer can be friends. Sawyer is the perfect name for my new buddy!

Photo courtesy: frittscreative.com

So, how do you go about changing a dog's name?

It's much easier than you might think. From the second I picked him up, "Humboldt" was no longer "Humboldt," his name was "Sawyer." My method is easy, and also works for brand new puppies just trying to learn their names. Note: if you are changing a dog's name, it is easier to do so if the new name has the same number of syllables as the original name.

Simply call the dog's name, and when they acknowledge you, give them a treat. If you aren't into the whole treat thing, just give the dog a ton of verbal praise. Repeat as necessary. They will learn their name in no time!