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Changing a pet's name shouldn't be a challenge

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As a child, I couldn't comprehend that it was OK to change an adopted pet's name. I assumed that all animals knew their names and, therefore, it would be very confusing for my pet if I started calling him or her something new. Now, as an animal shelter employee, I know that a lot of animals come into the shelter as strays and are named by staff members. That means that many adopted animals have had their names for days or weeks, not lifetimes, and have no connection what-so-ever to that name.

Even knowing this, I still have a hard time changing an animal's name. Out of the eight animals in my home, I've only changed the name of one of them, and that was only because I refused to call my dog Angel (especially when she was the exact opposite). I know I'm not alone; many people have a hard time changing their pet's name. If you're like me, consider the following to help you and your pet live happily ever after with a name you can both tolerate!

Most Animals Don't Know Their Names

It's true - a majority of the animals that come into the shelter don't know their names. In fact, I'm pretty sure one of my own dogs doesn't know her name and she has had it for 13 years! So relax - changing your pet's name is not going to confuse or upset him. Try calling your pet by name and see if he or she responds. If your pet does respond to a name and it's something you don't want to keep, don't worry! Your pet is still able to learn a new name very easily.

Do you really need a similar sounding name?

The one piece of advice I hear over and over again is that, in order to change your pet's name, you need to choose another name that sounds similar. This is absolutely not true and will likely just result in you calling your pet by yet another name you don't like. Case in point, my dog who was originally called Angel by her previous owner is now River Tam - a name that could not possibly be more different from her "real" name. Despite the huge difference, she has never once responded to the name Angel but knows immediately that I am talking to her when I say River Tam.

As further evidence that your pet can learn a completely new name, think about how many nicknames you use for your pets and their ability to learn them all. As I just mentioned, River Tam has learned her name and responds to it, but she also responds when I call her by a variety of nicknames, none of which sound remotely similar to her name.

Training a pet to learn a new name

Once you've chosen a name for your pet, try working with him or her to learn the new name. To help your pet learn a new name, try carrying around some treats with you for a few days, calling your pet by his new name, and then giving him a treat. All animals respond well to this kind of positive reinforcement. If you're working with a dog, try putting him on a leash and taking him somewhere he'll be distracted. Call your dog by name while he is distracted and reward him for recognizing his name. If your pet doesn't respond, try tugging on the leash gently to get his attention when you say his name and rewarding him for looking.

Teaching your dog to come when called

Once you've trained your dog to recognize his name, try teaching him to come when called. Teaching a pet to recognize and respond to his name is an extra way to keep him safe. Although this is no replacement for ID tags, training your pet to come when called is helpful should your pet ever get off leash or start to run away. There are many ways to train your dog to come when called, but one of the easiest is to encourage your dog to chase after you while you call their name. No matter what method you use, always reward your dog as soon as he starts to come to you. If he gets distracted along the way, regain his attention and reward him as soon as his looks your way.

It may take your dog awhile to learn their new name, but don't get discouraged. In the end, you want your pet to recognize that responding to his name ends in praise and rewards. Eventually, he will happily come when called, even to a new name!

Alaina Goodnough is the Promotions Coordinator at Cocheco Valley Humane Society in Dover, NH. She lives in Sanford, ME with two parrots, a cockatoo, two cats, a bearded dragon, and two dachshunds. She can be reached at CVHS atdevassist@cvhsonline.org. To learn more about Cocheco Valley Humane Society, go to www.cvhsonline.org or call 603-749-5322.

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