Naming Your Puppy or Dog #13

[@jeffreyH360]

Love this Susan and I so agree with you.. I named a BC Rusty. He was awesome but slow and steady. Named another BC Squirrel and he was crazy(before h360) that could have made him wonderful. So now after 5 years and 3 different cancers and chemo. I wanted a new pup. I thought about “chemo” BUT all my friends said no way ! So now I have a new puppy named “Focus Forward”. Called Focus, he has become my new focus in life. It becomes fun to say…. “Focus sit or focus jump”. So when I’m not feeling well I have Focus😊

[@DogsThat]

What a wonderful name "Focus"! So lovely, thank you for sharing with us

[@azogal53]

Definitely agree with there is "energy attached to words." Curse words are so popular because they are explosive, harsh and convey that strong (often negative) emotion. Then there is the emotion you attach to the word itself (just think of " sweet" or "sour"). Agree completely that well chosen names are so important! Great food for thought, thank you.

[@sghohle]

Here’s a puppy naming woo woo story for you. I worked with a breeder who chose my puppy for me. I had the name “Q” picked out (Star Trek character). I flew to Phoenix to pick up the puppy. I walked into her back yard where 9 puppies were playing. I called out “Q come!” and one pup came screaming up to me wiggling every part of his body. The breeder looked at me with her jaw on the ground. That was the puppy she picked for me.

[@rosieleat6868]

Wow

[@terrijacobs7278]

This has resonated deeply with me, thank you

[@MtnGirl98]

As if I don't already love you enough, I find out you believe in the woo. Loved this episode so much.

[@RaptorsGirl]

YES! Double woo girl!

[@karlawilson1032]

Yes!!! Larue, Indelible, and Hermione....three great “woo” and naming tales. And tails. 😃

[@lesleybowen6590]

I enjoyed this podcast, Susan. I named my puppy Roger after Roger Federer. I am not expecting him to win Wimbledon seven times but hopefully, my Roger will be as athletic as the Fed and get me back to agility.

[@Jebbyme]

I thought it was just me who named their dogs years before they arrive LOL. I am a believer that each dog finds us when we are ready! I am getting my Phoebe this weekend and it has taken her 3 years to find me 😍. Been a huge fan of yours for years. This will be the first dog to be trained from the first day using your amazing tools. Thanks so much!

[@katiemiller3528]

We recently said goodbye to my beloved, almost 15 year old Charlie, my sweet border collie-pointer mix. I raised him from a puppy when I was in my early twenties and he was there for every pivotal moment in my life as I became a "grown up," then a wife, then a mother. He was so incredibly loyal. I believe that he was watching out for us in every moment of his life, even in the end. I just know he asked God to make sure we would be okay.....and he sent us his Compadre, his friend, his "co-father" to watch over our family. I somehow know that Charlie sent this 10 month old puppy, Compadre, to continue his doggie father duties watching over our family. We call him "Padre" for short, reminding us of all our favorite times on the island's beach in Texas that we love so much and have spent so many vacations (also the beach where we spread my sweet Roxie's ashes last year, and where Charlie will rest). Padre has truly been a blessing for our family, especially for helping me get through the grief of losing Charlie. We have only had him a week and we are so excited to be starting Home School That Dog and Crate Games with him. However, after watching a few of these podcasts, I am scared that we have unintentionally started to "poison" his name! Obviously , his names has a HUGE amount of sentimental value attached to it, so we can't change it! Are there certain games in HS or CG that you recommend using the name as a "cue"? Also, I'm not sure I understood what you meant by using a nickname and still giving reinforcements for the nickname as well as the real name.....so what's the point of the nickname? I've also watched/listened to Episode #52 where you talk about words used as cues in training. Obviously, we kind of like the sound of "Come, Padre" and how it sounds like his full name "Compadre," but is that confusing to him?....maybe it's just me that is confused. I would love to hear more about what we can do, along with my 6 and 8 yr old girls, to further train him properly on the use of his name. Thank you for all that you do! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this podcast and the training programs so far! Sincerely, Katie

[@rosieleat6868]

OH gosh, I got a puppy a week ago and called him Charlies Dumbeldore (Charlie for short). He looks like a wise old owl lol - I chose the gentleman of the pack. I wanted to choose the other puppy, but something just kept pulling me back to Charlie and I took him, not even really understanding why. I don't think you would be confusing your dog especially as he can't speak Spanish (lol I think I'm so funny), but my girl hi-jinx, who's name gets shortend to jinxy, and then I morphed it into Gypsy, she doesn't seem confused at all :) (loved your story about your Charlie. Apparently, when we die, all the animals we have ever loved, come to meet us - I really hope that's true :) xxx)

[@fiarrra]

This is so true. We named our cat Imp because he was naughty as a kitten. I don’t know if it is coincidence or not, but he grew up with a huge behavior problems that needed us to contact a professional. So part of our rehabilitation is a name change to something more positive.

[@kimatlastlooks2915]

I love the woo! I believe it's up to us to discover the dog's name. I've named my last 2 dogs under this philosophy. I'll have a list of names that I like & I try them out, because the puppy doesn't know these words, they may either respond or not. The one they respond, too tends to be their name. That "head whip" reaction is what I want. My last dog I tried every name on my list and then some and got nothing. Then on a whim I was trying some other names and I called out, "Hey Lily," and that little puppy's head snapped around as if she said "Yes!" That was her name. I want more than ever for the dog to love their name. Sure, I can train them to love it, but I want them to love it from the first time they hear it.

[@Pooreyorick]

Exactly the way I name my dogs! I choose the name, live with it for a while, then go looking for the dog.. I’ve had very good results.

[@camillehatton]

YES!!!! Great episode!

[@lionbearcat]

We are getting our beagle pup next month and have finally decided on Sugar Cookie. Originally I thought we'd use Cookie as the name but once I realized how often we say it for everything treat related we switched to Sugar. All I can think about is how amazingly versatile sugar cookie dough is and how everyone loves cookies and how sweet a dog named Sugar is going to be. ❤️

[@photogal39travels]

I'm so happy I found you. I'm learning a lot. I'm excited. I'll be bringing home my pup Autumn in late Oct. she'll be 8 months old. she's a schnoodle, cream with apricot with green eyes. Not sure if I'll keep her name. She does look at you when you call her name. Shes very calm, mellow pup. Its what I'm looking for. This reputable breeder does light positive training and the pup looks happy when I video chat with them.

[@DogsThat]

Hi! We're so grateful you've found the Dogs That channel! Excited for your future puppy too 💕 Here's our Puppy Essentials playlist to get you started: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIasiWinjJ1oqrc&pp=gAQBiAQB

[@barbarajaroszewicz3717]

Susan I love all of the episodes. Thank you for this one - just got a puppy and will find the name. Didn't know about nicknames so I will work on that, too. :)

[@mcd5478]

Oh cool! This is exactly what I’m doing. I thoughtfully mulled over many names and now I have a good one picked out for when I go pick my standard poodle. But learning about only using name w/reinforcement and also when to use a nickname is something I never thought about! I really appreciate that information! ❤

[@MariaDanielDeepak]

Susan, this is so awesome! This episode is like a dream come true. I was literally day-dreaming a few days ago wanting to hear your thoughts on naming the dogs and here it is!

[@rosieleat6868]

It’s the woo lol :)

[@traceyallen8286]

We recently adopted a 3y.o. dog that had to be rehomed. She arrived as Gemma. She has become Gem (nickname Gemgem - said as one word NOT her name repeated). She is Gem by name and Gem by nature. Even when she's not, I find it easier to 'give her grace' because just saying (or thinking) her name reminds me that she IS a Gem most of the time. I've also found this to be the case with new people she meets.....people simply assume she is a delight. Words definitely have power and energy associated with them. Years ago I turned a 6month old puppy into an old lady by calling her Sadie ;0

[@equinn1768]

“A great teacher never strives to explain his vision, he simply invites you to stand beside him and see for yourself.” Rev. R. Inman I did this piece in calligraphy many years ago. It’s hanging right in front of me and when I finished listening to this podcast, the 13th for today, this was the first thought to enter my mind. Love every podcast. Thank you for that.

[@ladonnaking4222]

Love, Love Love this one. I have always taken naming my dogs very seriously. I do believe a positive name does affect how we feel about our dogs. Can't wait to hear what your new puppy will be called.

[@cherylblack6943]

This is so perfect. Some of the "woo" seems far out (although more makes sense the older I get!) but our whole world is "energy" so I am a firm believer that words have energy and deep meanings, especially names. From 2nd grade my dogs were just the dogs that appeared...strays. The last one as a teenager I named "Sally"...haha. I've never had the chance to choose a dog...all the dogs in my adult life chose me. Well, the first being a day-old pup brought into the clinic for euthanasia didn't really have much choice, but the next followed my young daughter home and broke INTO our fence, the next wandered into our yard, and the last we had to capture but she was hanging out in a field in our neighborhood for days. So now I am dogless again and just waiting to see what my longing brings me, although I do search the rescue sites! From the time I was a teenager I've always named my animals "people" names. I drag out baby naming books! But your method is just priceless.

[@lionbearcat]

Did you get found by a dog yet?

[@cherylblack6943]

@@lionbearcat Not yet. Still waiting.

[@SimpleV101]

Love it! Say Thank you to Susan!!!

[@laurenaronson8289]

Love these tips. We are hoping to get a new puppy this year or early next and have been thinking about names. I'm trying to make sure that the names me and my daughters' are thinking about aren't too similar to our names. Our last dog was named Jezebel and we would often call her Jez or Jezzy. When my youngest daughter was born we didn't even think about this and named her Isabel (Izzy for short). Can you see the confusion that might happen when calling one or the other. My mom brain could handle it. Jez has since passed but am keeping it in mind when are coming up with names for our new puppy.

[@Patsagilitybits]

How you name your dogs is interesting. I already know my next dog's name before the dog comes to me. My puppy is called Rosemary or Rosie for short. I knew exactly when I'd found the right puppy and I feel so very lucky to have her. I know now it's possible that I may have a dog called Roy.. I haven't met him yet but he will be an older dog. I will know exactly when I've met him and he'll be right for me and will come at the right time. I didn't think anyone else named their dogs this way until I saw your video.

[@sterrettstudios3217]

Love this! We are like you, in that we always seem to know the name for our next dog long before s/he comes to us, or in the most recent case, before we even knew we would be getting him. Each time, there is a story behind the name, sometimes an important place, sometimes an association or foreign language word, sometimes family history... so the name is meaningful to us first, and then the dog that fits it somehow always seems to enter our lives, even when the odds have been stacked against it happening.

[@wendydaniel6857]

Love this. Everything is energy.

[@karlawilson1032]

That moment when a puppy shows himself as the one sent for me...I never doubt! Sometimes the naming takes longer. When the breeder asked for “Maybe” in the registered name I could only think “there’s no maybe about this!”. And then.... “Say Yes Not Maybe” resolved that naming struggle. Such great advice about naming puppies in this podcast, whether you “woo” or not.

[@The1eviltemptress]

THANK YOU!! Thank you for helping us to teach a dog its name without luring! I discovered what I thought was a positive reinforcement trainer still clings to some physical correction and intimidation techniques. I'll finish the course but I recently discovered you and shaping. I'll be using your techniques during this class wherever I manage to find your instruction from here foreward!

[@mareamiller6957]

Awww! This is the best! Now I need to go back and watch all the podcasts :) I named my pup "Jenna" before I met her, and then after she had been with me for a few months Jenna was her nickname for- Generator 🤣 she definitely generates energy and joy everywhere she goes

[@sceotend]

Every episode is worth listening to or watching repeatedly. I give a first listen using Google Podcasts while out walking my dog, and then come back through to watch the video here on KZbin. There's always something different that catches the attention each time. Every episode is packed with great information. Thanks, Susan! Boris got his name by polling the family for names when we got him. It's the one that stuck, yet seems to suit him so well, and he definitely grew into Boris the Moose!

[@crashthemutt653]

It's so funny, I always say "I wish I'd called Crash "perfect recall" instead because he has too perfectly lived up to his name". We went to the rescue centre to be blind matched to a dog and I'd had a few sporty names in mind, and I just met him and felt he was Crash. I jokingly regret it but absolutely love it because his energy brings me joy every day and he's turned out to be an incredibly sporty dog 😍

[@nacmegfeegle2310]

This is great, thanks. I have always had the feeling that the name has a real meaning.

[@goymedhundDogtrainingBehavior]

I named my latest puppy Cherokee ( gives the energy of proud, strong, bold, a part of our spiritual path - my spirit animal ) . i am Scandinavian but part native Am (Lakota) and i was thinking about calling her Sunka ( means Dog in lakota ), Dakota or Cherokee ... So when we were told from the breeder to pick a name on C i was over the moon.. s here she was - my little Cherokee of Goldbite. We started with calling her KEY / KEE... that did not work..to similar to other words..but we use it sometimes when we talk about her .. her nickname.. and for me the Kee (Key) is the key to my heart and the key to a happy life together . friends told me the name was to complicated but as soon as i said Cherokee she started to listen..i LOVE the name.. she has a very special energy and looks incredible she is a Dutchie..Black face and gold/black brindle. Just want to comment regarding the danger with a foul name: I heard a story many years ago - about a race horse. he was called something very bad - do not remember the name - this was a story i heard in the late 70ths.. The horse was about to be put down since it was "evil" and could not win any races... A guy saved the horse - he changed his name to something like : champion .. Inn less than 1 year the horse won every race he attended and turned out to be a loving animal.. - he was truly a champion.. My last male dog was named Da Vinci. he was so smart it was almost a bit creepy. Lol.. he was wonderful

[@debbiegoodman5174]

Love your version for giving dogs name. Your ideas and thoughts are genius.

[@JennHand-zp1nn]

Love it ❤

[@lyndymckay7100]

I love the way you name your puppy before you have her. My last 4 dogs Joy, Faith, Hope & Grace were all named before I got them..Just like you said while choosing from the litter there was always one puppy that connected with me. Thank you for sharing. Love your Podcasts.....

[@sharonlyttle7890]

Just found your pod casts, and listened to a couple and enjoying them immensely. I have new puppies just over a week old now and thinking of names for them to go home with and of course for the one that I am keeping. this has given me something to think about, especially the tone of the name, as you said Jinx etc. so thanks for helping me with this.

[@diannepford]

Yep - 100% agree! For me, I know it's time to start the Next Dog Process when a name comes to my heart. I've always had the 'woo' factor with the names, and multiple, positive layers of meaning to both their call name and their registered name.

[@josephdimasso4086]

I'm hitting that like and smashing the subscribe! I want to thank you Susan, you're podcast / videos are in my top 2 of dog related podcasts I listen to - Fenrir dog training does an excellent job as well, but I prefer your enthusiasm and knowledge. We are blessed with a 3 month old english bulldog pup who just learned his name!:) She still pees and poos inside sometimes, but I know that's because I don't give her enough opportunity to go out, and I want to thank you for instilling that idea in me - I apply this idea to everything and it really really helps! Now we struggle with getting her to love her crate/pen - my girlfriend and I must switch off sleeping on the couch with her currently because we don't want her to cry herself to sleep...this we must work on. I'd appreciate any tips on this subject. Again, I want to thank you for sharing your knowledge in a happy, fun and entertaining way. Keep up the great work, and the videos coming! Kind regards, Joe

[@DogsThat]

Hi Joseph, what a lovely note. English Bulldogs are wonderful! Here's two resources to help you. For the ex-pen / crate - 5 Games for Puppies: susangarrettdogagility.com/2020/04/5-games-for-puppies/ For sleeping: susangarrettdogagility.com/2020/03/dogs-sleeping-in-the-bedroom/ Let us know how you go.

[@carolemuenzer5490]

That is the truth about names! You will become what you are called, we changed a horses name from Sassy to Grace and that turned the tables. Changed a dogs name from Queenie to Quinn just cuz I didn’t like the name, close enough she learned it fast. Interesting video thanks

[@CaeruleaeStocking]

It took years for me to learn that my own feelings and vibes are quickly picked up by my fur baby

[@MarshaBlieck1979]

We just got a dog from the shelter 6 weeks ago. We are her 4th owner and I kept her name Jillz but I am now thinking about changing it.. Thanks for sharing and I subscribed to your channel. Love your energy and I will definitely share your video on my business Facebook page 😎

[@bethslone3040]

I named my dog Whisper because I got a morkie and they are notorious for yapping. I live in a duplex and wanted to be a considerate neighbor. So far, she barely barks. When she does bark, I say, "Whisper, indoor voice." I wasn't trying to train her to not bark in those moments. But now, she makes different noises to communicate to me. She only barks if she senses a real threat or if she tried other ways to get our attention and we didn't respond to her.

[@rosieleat6868]

I adopted my dog Jinx when she was two - and I renamed her 'Hi-Jinx', because I didn't want to tempt fate with a name like 'Jinx' and we started agility (and it's a great name for agility I reckon) and I have been accused, most of my life for getting up to 'Hijinx' lol - I also call her 'Gypsy' - she was my daughter's dog, then her partners dog, now she is mine (forever). A week ago, I bought a puppy. He looks like a wise old owl - I called him Charles Dumbeldore (Charlie for short). Names have meaning for sure, and I totally believe in the woo woo (would be too long to write out why here lol)

[@НатальяИванова-у1и9я]

Susan, I'm a fan of your videos! I renamed 2-years old dog, her name is Tokio! Her name is super fantastic! She is border-collie! I ve watched only 13 videos of podcast, but I noticed that you haven't mentioned dog-fribsee as an option for a sport. What do you think about dog-frisbee?

[@namiumi546]

Thank you for your content :) How about if I choose a name that make people laugh at first ? ... I would love to call my dog "Inej" but in french (I am from switzerland on the french side) it sounds like "it's snowing". So first they laugh and then they accept it.

[@sheltie_pam]

We had a cat named Trouble. Oh boy, did she live up to it! That’s the last time I use a name like that. I don’t know which puppy in the litter that was just born is mine yet, but I do have the name.

[@copestuart]

All my dogs have Greek god or goddess names as these names have a meaning attached and that is what I am looking for in my dogs.🐾🥰

[@cherylblack6943]

Interesting! From my daughter's first cat (Merlyn) when she was 5 to the crew she has now at 36 all the names come from The Lord of the Rings or stories or goddesses sort of connected. Arwen, Eowyn, Luthian, Freyja, Galadriel, Gandolf, Arian, and Melian. Uncanny how their personalities fit either the character or the meaning of the name.

[@janegilbert9851]

Love the Woo. Love these Podcasts. Can I ask a question about renaming a rescue? I’d never thought of it this way. My dog came from Serbia, he had been badly treated but I kept his name because I thought it was possibly the only word he would understand in English. He has been with me for 18 months now. Would you still advise I change his name?

[@RaptorsGirl]

Start with a nickname see if his response, attitude, joy of working with you when you use the nickname is different. Eventually that nickname could go to be his new name… It’s his responses that will tell you which one he likes best.

[@annfry9072]

My gem for this video: if you are going to use the dog's name you must always have the magic key of a reinforcement. The same goes for nicknames. I am trying very hard to stick to this rule daily.

[@laynekirkpatrick3817]

Lovely! I also want to avoid a name that implies a potentially negative connotation like your story of Jinx or using a name like Bruno because it sounds too much like NO. I thought I had done that thing about thinking of the regular commands one uses so that the name wouldn't have a confusing "sound's like". So I got my current pup. He was adorable, has a unique heart-shaped mark on his face and swaggered like Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow. So I named him Jack. He learned his name well in a week and has the perfect head turn when ever I call him.Then there was that fateful day where he inappropriately jumped up and I said his name and "off". My next thought was: I am NOT going to be saying THAT for the next 15+ years. I changed "off" to "floor" and problem solved :)

[@ninaspinner8491]

It all makes sense and I don't think there's any woo to it. If a name has a meaning associated with it we will subconsciously expect the dog to fulfill that meaning and, also subconsciously (unless you really are hyper aware of it) somehow treat them differently in order to bring that about. Speak faster and in a higher pitched voice with a Buzz, and maybe speak more calmly to a decaf and pet her with long strokes instead of drumming on her rib cage. It's no woo, it's psychology. I now seriously wish I had changed my first rescue dog's name, though. Thanks for the episode!

[@patdales4077]

Enjoyed the podcast but have a comment about ‘choosing’ your puppy. My experience is that today that doesn’t happen. The breeder chooses which puppy you will get & you have to hope it’s a good match.

[@kellerayra7363]

My guy is named Keller.., meaning loosely little companion in a language of the region the breed is from. One,he his a forty /fifty lb border collie, which is not little. Two, he’s an exception to killer people possibly hear killer they laugh. His other registered name is Ayra A as in ace and Ray Meaning snow. So his nickname is Ray Ray So his name is ironic or one that is shiny happy.

[@karenaaland4893]

I am at such a loss naming my dog. Every other dog I've had someone else named, usually my child and it was a dumb or very common name. i.e. whiskers, kitty, cooper, sadie etc. I've had my dog for over a month. He's a well bred 2 yr old male springer spaniel. I don't want a common name or a human name or a too cutsey name. Every time I come up with a name I find out it's a Disney or popular character that Inhad not heard of (Loki) or - because I am in the social security age group, someone has that name or I associate it with someone or someone's pet was named that or is currently named that. I have researched all the online name lists, I keep thinking I'll hear a name and then I'll just know, like when you buy a house. I am being asked daily if I have named him yet. Poor fella is being called no-name. I just call him good boy. Can you offer any help? He's sweet and velcro as springers are but also sneaky and a very fast runner. The closest name I can get is cheeky because he's english and it fits his personality.

[@retrokelpie7606]

My partners daughter begged for a puppy and when she got it she didnt want anything to do with it. She gave it a terrible name. Pacticlus from her favourate book. Everyone cant stand the name, does she have the right to name it, can we name him something with 2 syllables.

[@newlevelsofsuccess]

We named our new puppy Fredrick and call him Fred.

[@andretortolano]

Sorry if i missed this. Im on episode 22 yet.... How would you go about teaching the name?

[@DogsThat]

Hi @André Tortolano our video "5 Games for Puppies" introduces the name and can be played with dogs of all ages: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqnHYqaMerajaLs

[@phillipandrews8796]

We named our pug Sugar and she ended up developing diabetes. We're not making that mistake again! :D

[@fundip43]

on this that rather confusing naming when your trying to keep things unique and out of common language. Buzz seems reasonable and along with decaffeinated