Sometimes adopting a dog means adopting a dog with a name you don’t particularly like. Actually, it’s easy for your newly adopted dog to learn a new name. Don’t feel that a dog cannot learn a new name, and don’t feel that a dog can’t even learn a name completely dissimilar to his previous name. A dog or puppy of any age can learn a brand new name within a few days.

Here’s how:

• Decide on any new name you wish for your newly adopted pet.
• For the first few days, carry a pocketful of treats.
• Every once in a while, and also specifically when you do want your dog’s attention, call out his new name and then immediately smile, praise heartily, and feed a treat.
• Even if he doesn’t turn to look at you when you call out the name, do the above any way, and soon he will know that hearing that word means great things are coming, and he will respond as if that word is his own!