Naming Your New Dog Fido? Lassie? Muffin? With so many different names out there, you may find naming you new doggie is more difficult than you thought. Even if you had a name in mind when you were considering buying a dog, now that the dog is home, the name may no longer fit. So how do people name their dogs? Some people name their dogs with characteristics the dog expresses once they are home. Floppy (dog with big ears), Bruno (stocky dog with short legs and wide shoulders), or Chewy (chews his food loudly) are all names that express a characteristic about the dog. When you bring your dog home, watch him for a few days. See what he does, how he eats, when he sleeps, if he follows you around the house all day. You may be able to think of a name just by watching your dog's actions and physical characteristics. If that doesn't work, why don't you borrow a name from your family tree. Mabel, Henry, Georgie, or Milton are all regal names from the past. These names are not only adorable, they also pay homage to those relatives that are lost in your family history. If you have a favorite aunt or uncle, grandparent, or even your own parents, why not immortalize them by making your new dog their namesake? Don't have any cute names in your family, then maybe you can think of a name from a movie or book that at one point caught your attention. There are hundreds of names such as Scarlet, Scout, Heathcliff, Jane, and more that would make a wonderful name for your new dog. And don't limit yourself to fictional names. Names of authors are also useful. Hemmingway, Parker, and Charles are all names that would make any dog proud. Musicians, celebrities, and other famous figures are also fair game. Once you have narrowed down your choices, you should call the dog by these names to see which one trips off the tongue naturally. If none of them do, then it's back to the drawing board. Other places for you to rummage for names include dictionaries, friend's names, product and brand names, common dog names, ship and building names, and made up names. Naming your dog is the first step you will take during the bonding process. This is a name that you will say thousands of times in your dog's lifetime. Choosing a name that means something is important. While you do not have to make up your mind right away, you should come up with a suitable name within a week after your dog's arrival so that the dog will begin to feel more comfortable. Having a name and teaching it to them will also help when training them not to sleep on the furniture or making sure they behave when they meet others. Dogs can be trained to do many things, but they must learn their name first.  So, how a about it? What's it gonna be? Duke? Bryce? Maggie? Fred? Miles? Betty? Steve?