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Rover, Spot, Fido, Froggatt?

33 visible archived posts · 33 preserved total · topic ID 3594

mark lyons 09 Jul 2010

Hi. I have a question that I hope you guys will be able to respond to with a decent answer.
I just got a dog (Chihuahua/Papillon mix) today from the animal shelter and his name is "Barker". I visited him twice before I adopted him and have never heard him make a sound. So, as this name is inappropriate, I want to come up with a new name for him.
I will be taking him on the road with me and to my locksmith shop, so I was thinking of names like Yale, Houdini, Corbin, or McKenzie.
I wonder if any of you named their pet any cool escape artist/restraint names or have any good ideas.
I should make this into a contest and the best name wins a prize.
How about a Super Amazingly Rare Bean Cobb Leg Iron?
I hope to have a good name soon because he has a micro-chip in him and they want me to update the info soon.
Thanks very much for any contributions.

mark
O--O

atlanta*casting 09 Jul 2010

Cutter ...

Paul Davies 09 Jul 2010

A photo always helps, with a ruler for scale!!
paul

weaseldandaw 09 Jul 2010

Hi Mark,

I once had a kitten that I called Cuffs. Unfortunately, my ex-wife got him in the divorce.

With regards to a name for your dog, how about ABLOY or even better. . . . SQUIRE?

Then again, as he is a Chihuahua/Papillon mix, how about just calling him Papillon after the famous prisoner (a true escapee)?

Dan

Jack.Tanis 09 Jul 2010

Dear Mark,

As tempting as it is, avoid picking a word you will use fairly often to mean something other than your dog. Not avoiding this will prove a source of confusion to your dog. It also is desirable, if you can manage it, not to exceed two syllables. A one-syllable name is best.

Maybe, in light of your own surname, and because you probably will not discuss the restraint that much, Presto is a good and doubly relevant choice.

Cheers,

Jack
http://www.editing.org.uk/tanis/collectibles.htm

Ron Spitz 09 Jul 2010

Hi Mark--How about calling him Willie after Willie Sutton the famous bank robber. When he was asked why do you rob banks, he was quoted as saying "because that's where the money was" The real story is that he never said that according to his bio which is a good read.

Ron

LARRY KOEWING 09 Jul 2010

HOW ABOUT " pHEERLESS "
SOUNDS LIKE A MEAN POOCH
IF U DESIDE ON A NOT RESTRANT NAME I HAD A FRIEND WHO NAMED HIS DOG "COME HERE" THAT WAY HE KNOW THE DOG WOULD ALWAYS COME TO HIM HE HATED DOGS THAT WOULDN'T COME

LK D~D

Tim 09 Jul 2010

Allow me to submit the name "LOX".

Joshua 09 Jul 2010

Marlin

Robert 09 Jul 2010

#10

"Robert"

Ian McColl 09 Jul 2010

#11

Hi Mark, if your dogs real name was "Barker' stick with it.
It is traumatic enough for you dog to be rehoused and then gets its name changed; Dogs need constants in their life.
I have just rehoused a great Danes, his name was Harvey, not a name I would pick, but then my brother didn't give his kids the names I would have either. Its his name and at 10 month old he knows it well.
Name should be short, one or two syllable.
No-one is going to give you anymore kudos for being a locksmith with a dog who has a lock type name, they will however give you credit for being kind enough to rescue him and keep his name.

Ian

Jack.Tanis 10 Jul 2010

#12

Dear Mark,

...and now agree with Ian. (Plus, Bob "The Price Is Right" Barker left a phenomenal legacy of pro-animal advocacy and accomplishment.)

Cheers,

Jack
http://www.editing.org.uk/tanis/collectibles.htm

atlanta*casting 10 Jul 2010

#13

RE: (Plus, Bob "The Price Is Right" Barker left a phenomenal legacy of pro-animal advocacy and accomplishment.)

So right, We now have dead animals littering all the roads and highways here in Michigan. Thanks Bob...

How is it in your state?

atlanta*casting 10 Jul 2010

#14

Mark, You could still call him Barker yet put a collar on him with a different name to impress the customers.

How about "Key Cutter" then you can tell them that the dog does all your key cutting and just "chews" the cuts

into the keys.

Dorson 10 Jul 2010

#15

There is some logic in what Ian has to say as a child we got a fox terrier mix that had a lot of chihuahua in him. His name was Chico, you could call him Chico and become Chico and the man.....

Edgeplay_Cgo 10 Jul 2010

#16

I'd been taught that a dog's use-name should ideally be two syllables, ending in a vowel. That makes it easy to sing out clearly.

Fiiiiiido! Chiiiiiico!

Trailing consonants tend to get swallowed.

Of course, the dog's official name (Froggat's Fancy) can be anythinmg.

The dog probably doesn't care one way or t'other, just don't call it late for dinner.

mark lyons 10 Jul 2010

#17

Thank you for all the creativity and advice.
I told the vet about how I posted this blog and she said that most people change the dogs name once they become adopted. She did not have any concerns about it. (maybe Australian dogs can't handle it- I think theirs are half Dingo, anyway )
She did caution that if I decide to do it, I should wait til the dog is settled in to lower his state of confusion.
I came up with "Rusty" as he has lots of rust colored streaks in him. It ties into my locksmithing and cuff collecting too. I have quite a few cuff in that condition. Makes me think of John Bushey's Bean Giant as well.
I will take my time and consider everything you guys write about and I appreciate your knowledge and taking the time out to discuss the matter.
I am still interested in hearing other names in the meantime.
I will post a pic soon.

mark
O--O

Vince 11 Jul 2010

#18

Hi Mark,

Congrats to your family's addition (and the sheter choice).

Just one thing to keep in mind, - While on a job repairing exit devices in the kennel area of a large shelter, I was talking to the director about random animal topics, the subject of getting more people to adopt came up, she informed me that while some of the animals come into the shelter with known names - all the rest are named by the volunteers who clean the enclosures, these "nicknames" are then told to the prospective new owners, as animals with names are easier to home than refering to "that one, over there". I would bet many shelters have a similar policy.

What I would do is (once he adjusts to his new surroundings) call out "Barker", see if there is ANY sort of aknowledgement, head turn to you, eye contact, facial twitch, or even a slight ear movement. If he was called barker long enough, he'll know it's his name - and respond in some way that you'll notice - if so I would'nt change it. If otherwise there is no response when "Barker" is called; My vote is then "Darby"
Easy to yell out - and as also stated above, easy for the pooch to comprehend.

Regardless of the name choice,
You could always walk him with a "locking neck collar". haha!

Best regards,
--Vince

Paul Davies 11 Jul 2010

#19

You say he's not a Barker, but is he a Nipper? Nipper might be good because it relates to a an action, a size and also a restraint.
Parker might be easier for him to adjust to, and if he's going to travel around with you and bark directions he might have something in common with Parker, the chauffeur (is that how you spell it Jack) in The Thunderbirds. If he's inquisitive, there's Nosey Parker - do you have that expression there?
Our dog was a shelter dog, originally named Cupid and recorded on his microchip. As the name was a bit effeminate my wife decided that as Cupid was also one of Santa's reindeer names she'd stick with that theme and renamed him Comet. Both names started with C and he soon adjusted to his new name.
If you have to say his name a million times, I wouldn't call him Muhlenfeld even though it would be cool.
Good luck. Have fun.

Tim 11 Jul 2010

#20

Now that the dogs name seems to be settled may i suggest the following bumper sticker: My wife-YES My kids-MAYBE My dog-NEVER!! Have fun with Rusty.

Mark lyons 11 Jul 2010

#21

I had Barker at the store with me today and a trash picker was out front scouring the trash can in the parking lot (or car park for you Down Unders) for aluminum cans. Barker didn't like it one bit and I finally heard him bark. A very funny bark at that.
Nipper could be an easy name for him to remember as it sounds similar to his current name, in a vague sort of way.
Nipper is also the name of the RCA dog who heard "His Master's Voice' coming out of their Gramophone.
I used to have a parakeet (a down under one) named Nippy.
If I traveled all this country and mentioned a "Nosey Parker"to any of our citizens, I would get nothing but blank stares.
Muhlenfeld would indeed be a great name for him, but I think the ultimate in handcuff dogs names would have to be "Konepaja Voima".
At least Lars could pronounce it enough for my dog to come to him.
How long did it take for Comet to learn his new name? Did he have any trauma or confusion about it?
Thanks for suggesting the contending name.
A friend of mine insists that I name him "Satch" as we both are very fond of the sidekick character in the old Bowery Boys movies.

mark
O--O

Mark lyons 11 Jul 2010

#22

Atlanta*Casting,
You wrote:
We now have dead animals littering all the roads and highways here in Michigan. Thanks Bob...

How is it in your state?

In the Peoples Republic of California, I think we would be hard pressed to find even one single dead animal anywhere within the state's borders.
Rumor has it that even taxed road kill!

Mark
O--O

Paul D 11 Jul 2010

#23

Comet learned his name quickly because it was not too different from his first name. But if he responds to 'come', as he should, use his new name and 'come' together for a while. Tone of voice should be up-beat. They are very smart animals and quick learners.

atlanta*casting 11 Jul 2010

#24

Mark, In the 1950's one had to go to the northern part of lower Michigan to hunt deer as they were all but

extinct in the southern lower peninsula. I live in Lansing near downtown and have been having deer coming into

my yard at night and eating the flower blossoms. They seem to have a fondness for Iris and Tiger Lilies.

Raccoons prefer to live in the catch basins. Skunks, I don't know what they eat but would like for them to

take there smelly butts somewhere else.

Best.

Dorson 11 Jul 2010

#25

Was just thinking when I was over at my girlfriends ex's place. He adopted a dog named Darby and kept it that way....

Dorson 11 Jul 2010

#26

BTW, that crack about being half Dingo, I know was meant as humor but the Aussie cattle dogs are quite smart. Ex girlfriend had a blue healer that understood english pretty well...

LARRY KOEWING 11 Jul 2010

#27

HERE IT IS HEERLESS (FEARLESS SPELLED WITH pH ) RUSTY

pHEERLESS RUSTY

WHEN CAN I EXPECT MY BEAN COBBS

LK D~D

Jack.Tanis 11 Jul 2010

#28

Dear Paul,

Chauffeur is correct.

...and Mark,

As you know, my primary restraints collecting interest is nippers. I had a friend, Gary, who was a member of the Sarnoff family. David Sarnoff founded RCA, NBC and other media empires. Nipper indeed was the RCA dog. Various family members had pets named Nipper. Considerable confusion resulted. Apart from the RCA trademark image, nipper is a common word with multiple meanings. Frankly, I don't see how someone can have a dog named Spot without any consequent confusion.

I still side with Ian on this. Anyway, your dog won't care what he's called. He'll care how he's treated and how much he's loved.

Cheers,

Jack
http://www.editing.org.uk/tanis/collectibles.htm

atlanta*casting 11 Jul 2010

#29

Woofey...

Easy to say name with 2 syllables and ends with a vowel.

It was also the name that Arnold used in place of Max in the movie Terminator 2 to fool the liquid metal T1000 into revealing himself.

Ian McColl 13 Jul 2010

#30

A NEW Zealand man remained in stable condition today after his dog jumped on a loaded rifle and accidentally shot him in the backside.
The Northern Advocate said the 40-year-old man from Te Kopuru, located in far-northern New Zealand, was injured while on a pig-shooting trip with three other men on Saturday.
The man was sitting in the back seat of a 4WD vehicle when the dog jumped on the loaded .22 rifle, which was also on the back seat.
The gun fired and a bullet lodged in the man's buttocks.
He was treated at the scene before being flown to Whangarei Hospital by helicopter where he had surgery to remove the bullet.
The men told police they thought the gun was unloaded, prompting authorities to warn of the need to be careful transporting firearms.
From: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/do ... public_rss

Anonymous 13 Jul 2010

#31

the guy probably changed his dogs name.

Paul D 13 Jul 2010

#32

Rufus Rumpole

Nils 13 Jul 2010

#33

Great idea!

Hm. Rankin. (sounds like Rankor, forgive me the geek).

Mr. Elias Richards.
(friends of mine had a cat named "Herr Schroeder".)

Horst (from Moabit)

I hope your dog will grow past your knees, so you won't be in violation of the Bro Code.

Nils