Congratulations! Your family just grew by one furry four-legged member but now, you have a hard task at hand. What is the perfect name for your brand new puppy? Choosing a name is so hard sometimes because you have to pick one that describes your dog’s personality but also stands out from all the others. Here are some of our tips on how to pick a dog name! 

Adopting a new dog is a life-changing event. This little furball will grow into being your new best friend. There really isn’t anything like the bond a person has with their dog.

So when you adopt a new dog, picking out the name is a huge deal. The name you choose should describe them and be something you enjoy calling them.

Of course, adoptive dogs often come with names pre-picked from the shelter. You can absolutely keep that name if you like, but often it can be special to choose one of your own. Here’s how to do it.

How To Pick A Dog Name

When I am trying to choose a name, I try to pick out a name that I truly like and sums up my pup’s unique personality.

In this guide, I’ll give you a couple of tips that you can use to come up with the perfect name. Plus, I’ll share a list full of creative names to give you a head start.

By the time you finish reading this post, you’ll have that answer!

1. Be Descriptive

Make a list of all the adjectives you can think of that describe your dog. Write down all of the colors, spots, energy levels, and personality traits that come to mind. Lots of dog names are one word (just like human names), so pick your favorite trait and create a name around it.

For example, if you have an all-black dog that has boundless energy, you could name it Ozzy after the rockstar known for his crazy antics. If you have a dog that drools constantly, maybe you could be funny and name it saliva or be even more cryptic and name it Poseidon, the Greek God of the seas.

You can also search online for a name that means their personality trait. If you have a really loyal dog, you can name it “Conni” which means “steadfast or constant”.

2. Be Funny

You can also take the humor route with your names. Lots of dog owners like creating puns with their dog’s names. One dog owner, for example, was a huge KC Royals baseball fan. So, they named their whippet “Salvador Paw-rez” after the baseball player Salvador Perez.

Another way to be funny is to use alliteration similar sounds. A stocky dog can be “Frank the Tank” or a fluffy dog could be “Fluffy Tuffy”.

Sometimes, when choosing a name, you can also give them ironic names, too. This is really quite funny if you think about it. Name your really lazy dog “Espresso” or name a mastiff, “Miny Moo”.

There are tons of funny and punny ways to turn celebrity or character names into dog names!

At the bottom of this post, I listed some of my favorites. I couldn’t choose an ultimate favorite, although “Spark Pug” and “Chewbarka” are both super high on the list!

3. Name Your Dog After Someone

On the other end of the spectrum, you can always name your dog after someone that impacted your life in some important way. This could mean you name them after someone you loved that isn’t with you anymore or you could name them after a musician or artist that you admire.

Giving your dog their name is a beautiful way to pay tribute to the way they changed your life.

4. Pick A Name Describes You

Some dog owners choose to name their dog something that describes them instead of the dog. This makes complete sense because you might not know the dog very well yet.

If you are an outgoing extrovert that loves parties, you could name your dog “Friendly” or you can search for names that mean a trait that you relate to. For example, if you are a peacemaker, you could name your dog “Concordia” which means “harmony.”

This method might take a little more effort, but it will also give you a name that you adore and relate to.

5. Be Totally Random

When you have tried everything we’ve suggested and are still wondering how to pick a dog name for your pup, you can throw all the rules out the window and pick something completely random and made up.

Honestly, this is your dog and it’s ok to have fun with the name! Fluffy, ChaCha, and Blueberry are all funny and random names that can work for a dog.

Some random names can be the most fun too.

Want a good laugh? This list of unique dog names will have you rolling! I think my favorite is Reeses Puppycups.

The most important thing about your dog’s name isn’t the name itself but how you say it.

Do Dogs Respond Better To Certain Names?

There is science behind naming your dog that will help you. Long names with too many syllables are more difficult for your dog to remember. So even though Reeses Puppycups is funny, calling them Reese is going to be more effective during training.

Another thing to remember is that experts agree that hard consonant sounds such as “c” or “k” help your dog distinguish it from other sounds.

But overall, the more time you spend with your dog and refer to them by their name followed with treats, they will learn to respond to that name, no matter what it sounds like. You can have a very loyal and obedient dog named Sue if you spend enough time with it.

Funny and Unique Dog Names

Still stuck on how to pick a name for your dog? Here are some of our favorite dog names that can inspire you to finally narrow down a name.

Naming your dog can be a bunch of fun!

Lots of these are celebrity names with a doggy twist. Puns can be so fun and entertaining!

  • Chewbarka
  • Muttley Cru
  • Cujo
  • Milkshake
  • Hairy Paw-ter
  • Snoop Dog
  • Kitty
  • Buzz Pawldrin
  • Mary Puppins
  • Jabba the Mutt
  • Winston Furchill
  • Ozzy Pawsborne
  • Indiana Bones
  • Anderson Pooper
  • Prince of Barkness
  • Sherlock Bones
  • Winnie the Pooch
  • Bilbo Waggins
  • Spark Pug
  • Subwoofer
  • Toto
  • Captain Sniffer

How To Pick A Dog Name – Be Yourself

When you adopt a new dog, naming it is the first and most important thing you can do. But, my one piece of advice: don’t stress out too much. Take your time and it will come to you.

The most important thing about picking a dog’s name is that you choose something that makes your heart happy. When you love your dog’s name, you’ll be more likely to respond to your dog with genuine enthusiasm.

Treat Your Puppy: MuttScrub Products Provide The Perfect Calming Blend

Once you’ve finally chosen a name for your new family member, you should celebrate by giving them their first bath at home – and use some of our MuttScrub products!

Add our calming MuttScrub products for a bathing routine that soothes and heals your dog’s skin naturally. There is no diluting or mixing required since we’ve done the hard work to develop the perfect blend of cleansers, moisturizers and essential oils for you!

Treat your dog’s skin only with pure ingredients that support overall well-being and aid the healing process. MuttScrub products are made of all-natural substances, including shea butter, to give your dog instant relief from ailments and anxiety.

All three of our products work best when used together in the Pawsitively Soothing Itch Relief Kit For Dogs. We have several great reviews of the product over on our Facebook page…check them out!

Tell us in the comments: how often do you bathe your dog?

If you enjoyed the information in this blog let us know over in our MuttScrub Community and share the image below over on Pinterest for us!

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