Dear Curtis
I’m a 6-month old male mix that was recently adopted by a human couple. When I bark “recently”, I mean three months ago. Three months ago? Yes, three months ago! And, I don’t as yet have a name! No name? Yes, no name! Three months without a name! Can you believe it? And, to make matters worse, my humans appear to be expecting a human child and I can hear them throwing baby names around like they were fetch toys! And the darn kid’s not due for five months or so. Hey, what about me? Curtis, can you send me some hints on naming a dog that I can slip into their baby-naming book?
Nameless in Nome
| MAX
A DIFFERENCE TO US According to one source, the most popular dog’s name in the U.S. is Max, which was the nickname of the dog in the Bionic Woman television show that aired in the mid-70’s. |
MY,
THAT’S A MOUTHFUL! |
| DOG-NAMING
TIPS & HINTS • Keep the name clean, one that can be easily said without embarrassment or offense! • Pick a name that doesn’t rhyme with, or sound like, a command to avoid puppy-confusion. So, ixnay on the Kit, Bo and Ray, which can be confused with sit, no and stay! • Remember that humans will shorten a dog’s name so make sure the nickname sounds good too! • If appropriate, pick a name that’s in-synch with your dog’s breed. Sweeney is ideal for an Irish Setter but not so good for a Russian Wolfhound. • Wait until you’ve seen the dog and seen it behave/play before naming the dog and follow your human “dog-sense.” • If the dog is going to be with the public, say as a therapy or rescue dog, don’t give it a name that might make the dog sound aggressive or scary, especially to children or seniors. • Give your dog a name that’s not based on it being a puppy or on behaviors that it might grow out of. • If giving the dog the same name as a relative or good friend, inquire ahead of time how they might feel sharing their name with your dog! |
| REACH
AND FREQUENCY After naming the dog, use the name often so it’s quickly learned. Use it when playing with him, petting him, hugging him, or just trying to get his attention. Use it a lot! Never use its name when you are angry or when you are disciplining him. You want your dog to like his name so don’t link its name to discipline or punishment. If you raise your voice every time you use his name, he won't like it and he won't come when called. |
Dear N in N,
While the great dog-bard Shakesaleg woofed, “what’s in a name?” for us canines a name’s a pretty important thing. So, I’m both surprised and dismayed that your humans are taking so long…almost two years in dog-time. Guess the good news is that they haven’t given you any of those far-fetched names that well-meaning humans give some of us.
Some dogs are named for their appearance…Blackie, Goldie, Red, Spot. Some are named for behavior or personality…Frisky, Rebel, Bandit. Adjectives work well with names like Happy or Lucky, while famous people or dogs, whether real or fictional, also can inspire a name. And for the purebreds among us, some names reflect our heritage and breeding, and are registered!
Then, there are those humans who give us names they would give their own children…well…kind of! In Ask Curtis, some of my canine letter writers included Emmett and Gibson and Murray and Molly!
Here’s a thought. When your humans are going through that baby-naming book, listen to the names they toss about. Chances are they’ll mention ones they like several times. Pick out one that you like and, to give them a clue, jump on them and give lots of licks when they mention that name again. And, whenever they mention it, keep repeating the jumping and licking. Humans are highly condition-able and it’s up to us, as their best friends, to condition them, even if it’s to get them to name us!
Barkingly
yours,
Curtis
P.S. I was named by my human brother after an imaginary Southern tennis player.