Would you? They have enough to cope with without learning a new name.
But on the other hand, some rescue dogs were just given their names for i.d. when they were picked up so the name perhaps isn’t so entrenched?
If I like it, I’ll keep the name, otherwise I change it to something I like and think fits the animal. I’ve never had an issue, but I’ve never adopted an animal that “knew” their rescue name either. We tend to be very structured though, so animals seem to adjust quickly and not have too many issues with the change.
My last boy was a stray from the local dog pound. No one knew his name, except the piece of garbage that threw him out in the streets.
Within a few days he answered to his name, and he looked so happy. I think he realized I was calling him, and this was his forever home. Changing their name is not a big deal.
Change the name. It’s your dog now. Dogs learn their new names pretty quickly. Pick a name you like, or one that is fitting to the breed/sex/etc. of the dog. It is so nice of you to take in a rescue.
actually friends’s dog – she was wondering…I guess it’s not the name that counts, but that the dog knows its person is calling it… I was thinking more about fox hounds and how they know their own names amongst the pack.
If I had a dog that had had its name for a long time, I’d probably keep it.
If I were adopting an older dog who had lived with his/her name a long time I would probably keep it, but a younger dog, especially if it is likely the name is just for i.d. and to make them seem more lovable to potential adopters, I would have no problem changing it (and have changed names twice in these situations)
I kept my one Rescue’s name because it suited him even though he didn’t know his name. He does know his name but he also will come running if he hears me call my other dog who’s name sounds nothing like his. If you don’t like the name, change it, they will adapt.
When I adopted my 2yo rescue dog I didn’t like her name. I changed it and other than being part hound and having a terrible recall, she had no issues learning her new name.
I kept my rescue’s name (“Fergie”), even though I didn’t particularly care for it at first. It definitely grew on me, because she is a total NON-diva, so I think it’s kind of funny that she’s named for a pop star.
Also, it’s easily transformed into nicknames, eg. Fergster, Fergles, Fergalicious, Fergiefergs, Fergiebergs, Fergula, etc.
That being said, I don’t think most dogs have a hard time learning a new name, so if your friend wants to change it, it’s probably not a big deal.
it is EASY to change their name, and they learn very quickly. No problems.
Yup, a few days of The Name Game will help with them learning a new name.
Dog’s adapt quickly. Our Sheltie was called “Bambi” when she was in shelter and foster home - her rescuer named her and the fosters were not fond of it (running through woods after she got out of the fence, yelling “Bambi” did not endear them to the name.) In the years since she has learned to answer to: “puppy”, “bum-munch”, “fluffypants”, and so on.
Change it. New life, new name with no bad habits or memories attached.
Aunt Pittypat came with the name Casey. I hated it. Took less than a day to come up with her new name. She responded to it instantly. It was a definite moment.
Xander came with that name. I like it and it suits him.
Most if not all of our fosters have names we or the shelter gave them. So they usually don’t answer to them and are easily changed. I do know that a dog I personally adopted from the shelter was named Zoe with her former owners and we kept the name.
I had a greyhound with the name Zoe - kept it and loved it. It went with the other greyhound, Zara. Loved those dogs.
Change it. I doubt they get so much one-on-one attention that they’re tied to that name. A lot of times, if the animal is in rescue for a long time, they’ll change their names so it’ll look like a new dog/cat for adoption.
My late dog, a black female BC cross, was called Coal and later, Socks. She responded to her new name Gemma right away.
we had a horse that came named MAX
his theory was - You can call me anything, but I ONLY answer to MAX
ALL the rest of the horses or cats who have come to us (except one new cat) have had name changes and all of them did fine
the one new cat - OZZY answers to or at least can be distracted by calling his name - and no other
they learn most of all who loves them but it is MY belief that they actually do learn their name or the nickname they prefer
I have ALWAYS changed names of strays/rescues,whether horses,dogs,cats. Sometimes I will even alter a barn cat’s name after seeing the initial one doesn’t suit. They always adapt.
ONE exception in 30 years of animals was a HUGE choc lab I got from a shelter in KY. He was older,and came with the name Abraham,which I didn’t like, Because of his massive size (he had the biggest,most impressive lab head I have ever seen) I was trying to come up with an equally impressive name,but something different. He never responded to anything,til out of desperation, I called him Bear…BINGO!,that must have really been his name at some point, he obviously remembered it,and responded with an alert look and thump of the tail. Although I wanted a less common name, his happiness with “finding himself” again was the determining factor. And a bear he was…huge,lumbering,slowish, always ready for something to eat,and a rich dark brown. But the sweetest tempered dog in the world.
So, I guess I depends on the animal, but overall, I think they adapt to name changes pretty well.
