Author |
Message |
Hermione69
Member
07-24-2002
| Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 2:17 pm
Can you rename a dog that is 6 years old? By the way, thanks again for the support and heartwarming stories you all shared. By a funny twist of fate, I had an episode of "hypomania" last night (I'm Bipolar II) and sat with Holly all night while I played a video game. Normally I sleep upstairs, but she won't venture up to join me. She is much calmer today. I need to figure out how to get her upstairs with me. The cats have already accepted her, so we can just be one big, happy family in my little dinky bed! She seems to do better when she sleeps next to me.
|
Ophiliasgrandma
Member
09-04-2001
| Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 3:06 pm
Cesar Milan says the name can be changed at any age. People attach more importance to a name than do the dogs. But if she'd been called Holly during abuse, you can see how that training would still stick with here. 'Holly' equals abuse...perhaps.
|
Hermione69
Member
07-24-2002
| Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 3:08 pm
Okay, hmmmmm. New name contest! Submit ideas here!
|
Ophiliasgrandma
Member
09-04-2001
| Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 3:12 pm
Just checked with Petfinder. They said to go ahead and change a dog's name if you wish. For the first few days call by the new name with a treat at the ready. Dog's make the change very easily in a short time. I like dignified human names for my pets. My first suggestion would be Belle. That should get the ball rolling.
|
Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 3:13 pm
Howsabout a photo Hermie? If no photo, what about a detailed description?
|
Hermione69
Member
07-24-2002
| Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 3:13 pm
The general feeling after doing a cursory Google search is changing a dog's name is okay, especially if you use food as a reward!
|
Grooch
Member
06-16-2006
| Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 3:16 pm
If Holly was found on the side of the street w/ no name tags and no one ever claimed her, she would automatically be given any name and she would learn to respond to it. So, I can't see how that would be a problem. Heck, didn't Madonna and Angoli change their adopted kids' names? To try to get her up the stairs, maybe you can try putting a treat she loves on the bottom step at the same time every day, and then every few days, just move the treat one step higher til she gets used to it. Do it at the same time of day so this way, she will be expecting it and getting excited about when that time of day comes around. Of course, if this idea works, I have no idea on how to break the habit. lol! I agree w/ your vet about obedience school. When I took Rocky to his classes, there was a grey hound there w/ the same problem as yours. Amazing the difference when the classes ended. I would only add, find a quiet place where the classes are. Don't do it in a place like Pet Smart where there is just to much activity going on.
|
Grooch
Member
06-16-2006
| Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 3:18 pm
OG, I like the name Belle, but is it to close sounding to Holly because of the letter "L"? Or am I just getting to anal? lol!
|
Hermione69
Member
07-24-2002
| Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 3:22 pm
None of my cats have dignified names, ROFLMBO! This is Holly--

|
Hermione69
Member
07-24-2002
| Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 3:25 pm
Jujubelle, LOL!
|
Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 3:30 pm
Sweetie, cuz that's what she looks like, a sweetie!
|
Supergranny
Member
02-03-2005
| Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 3:45 pm
She is beautiful...what a sweet face! How about Joy since that's what she brings in your life.
|
Hermione69
Member
07-24-2002
| Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 3:47 pm
My little nephew Sam who is two years old calls all dogs "Good Girl!" I was thinking of Gigi (GG) in honor of that. It would always make me smile!
|
Retired
Member
07-11-2001
| Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 4:09 pm
Oh I like Gigi, Hermi, especially if it will make you smile! 
|
Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 4:26 pm
I like it too, especially if it'll make you smile!
|
Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 4:28 pm
That's a good name.. (or a Harry Potter related one.. ) I like that and that is a good sound too, better than the H sound.
|
Hermione69
Member
07-24-2002
| Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 4:38 pm
I'm leaning towards it! Thanks, all! Seamonkey, the good Harry Potter girl names have gone to my cats! Yes, I am a dork. 
|
Ophiliasgrandma
Member
09-04-2001
| Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 4:38 pm
Joy or Gigi works for me.
|
Kstme
Member
08-14-2000
| Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 4:58 pm
I like Gigi, Hermi! 
|
Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 5:12 pm
I love her Hermie!!!! yes you can rename a dog no problem
|
Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 5:13 pm
Dylan names all of our fosters while we have them (usually for a couple months) and they all get renamed
|
Hermione69
Member
07-24-2002
| Thursday, August 02, 2007 - 7:34 am
OMG, it is really weird. She is already responding far more to "Gigi" than she ever did "Holly." Yay!
|
Vacanick
Member
07-12-2004
| Thursday, August 02, 2007 - 7:56 am

|
Supergranny
Member
02-03-2005
| Thursday, August 02, 2007 - 8:09 am
I love it! I believe that dogs name themselves and you found her right name, just took you abit to acknowledge Gigi was her true name.
|
Ophiliasgrandma
Member
09-04-2001
| Thursday, August 02, 2007 - 8:48 am
A wee toast to Gigi's naming day.
|