When you bring home a new puppy it is important that you give him/her a name. With all the dog names to choose from how do you choose the right one for your new pet? The fact is that the name you give your dog does say a lot about you although you may not think it. When people hear the name you have chosen they may think of you as someone who is quite silly, someone who is ordinary or willing to take a chance on a name that is completely different. The name of the dog can also cause a reaction to the pet itself. If you choose a sweet sounding name, this could give the image of a friendly docile animal, whereas the name of a monster could evoke images of a vicious dog, when the opposite may in fact be true.



Some of the most popular names for dogs are:

- Sam

- Max

- Lady

- Bear

- Maggie

- Tasha

- Brandy

- Ginger

- Taffy

Since most pet owners think of their dogs as part of the family they like to give them names they would give their children.

Dogs learn things by sound and instinct. You have to call the name in order for your pet to know the name you have chosen and it may take some time before he/she will recognize the name and come when you call. The best name to choose is one that is short and easy to pronounce so that you won't make a mistake every time you use it. Making mistakes in the way you say your dog's name will confuse it and it won't really know what its name is.

Try to hold off choosing a name until you have had a chance to get to know the puppy. Then you can match the name to the dog's personality. A puppy that likes to explore and pokes into everything could be name Poky, for example. A noble looking dog would be well matched with the name of King or a dog with a fluffy coat could have the name Fluffy. Some people name their dogs by circumstances that surround the event of getting the dog. A person who has s stroke of luck on the same day as the dog's arrival might name the dog Lucky.

There are unlimited lists of names for dogs online. You can browse these lists and try them all out in an attempt to find the right one for your pet. You can get creative with names as well. Some dogs actually choose their own names as in the case of a dog named Come On. The owner was not sure what to name the dog and every time he called the dog he said "Come on". After a while the dog would only answer to this name.

Whatever name you choose it is important to get your dog familiar with that name as soon as possible. It should be distinct from any commands you give the dog during training so you won't confuse the animal.