Edie MacKenzie

Edie MacKenzie is a published author, traveler, dog lover, and tortoise enthusiast. Passionate about what she does, her books provide peopel a firm grounding in the dog breed and their unique characteristics with a nice touch of humor.

Choosing Cool Dog Names

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One of the best things about getting a new puppy is choosing a name. Except sometimes the right name seems impossible to find. You just can’t seem to find a name that works.

Weeks later, your puppy is still nameless, and you’re still clueless as to what you should call him.

In your desperation you eventual settle for a so-so name, a definite dog naming faux pas. Think about it, you’ll be spending a lot of years with your dog and calling his name thousands of times. So wouldn’t it be a good idea to pick a name you actually like?

Need some help? Then read our top 10 dog naming tips below.

1.You can’t go wrong with a one or two-syllable name. They are simple, easy to say and recognize, and there are literally millions of choices!

2.I’m not suggesting that you shun more exotic and unusual names. However, it has been suggested that names that are difficult for the dog to recognize have a big impact on training. So if you decide on call your dog Zerxes because you are fascinated by Persian history, that’s fine. But think about a nickname for calling, something like “Zerk” perhaps.

3.Names that are similar to voice commands are generally not a good idea if you plan on training your dog. Think about names that could be confused for a command, like “Ray”, for “stay”.

4.You’d also be well advised to steer clear of names that can be confused with that of another pet or a member of your household. Not unless you want to confuse everyone.

5.Don’t give your dog a name that will embarrass him. Beavis may be okay, but Butthead certainly isn’t! Dogs have feelings too.

6.Consider choosing a name that in some way describes your dog – think about his size, breed, any special markings. “Titan” doesn’t really work for a Yorkie, does it? Neither does Sweetpea suit a Pitbull.You could of course go for one of these names if you have a penchant for the ironic.

7.Remember that dogs don’t stay puppies forever. “Fluffball” may seem like a good idea for your cuddly little St. Bernard pup, but may be less suited, once he grows into a 250-pound adult.

8.Another good source of names is the breed’s original home country. Your breed’s home country has lots of famous people, places and traditions that will give you tons of dog name ideas.

Need some examples? How about, “Guinness” for an Irish Setter, “Yoko” for a Shibu Inu, or “Louis” to a French Bulldog.

9.You’ll also find myriad ideas by delving into your own interests. Lets say you’re nuts about football – you could try Marino, Namath, Montana, or just pick your own favorite player.

Now think about what interests you and you’re well on your way to hundreds of great names.

10.I find that it’s always a good idea to understand the origins and history behind your dog’s name. That’s pretty easy these days, but you don’t have to go searching Wikipedia for hours on end.

Just visit us at Puppy Names HQ. We have thousands of the very best dog names on the web. And all you have to do is pick your favorite.

Scenting Ability – The Remarkable Nose Of Your Dog (Part 1)

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Whether you own a 160 lb St. Bernard, designed to track down and hunt people, or enjoy the company of an adorable little Chihuahua, every dog has an incredible nose that can pick up the most uncanny of scents.

Your canine friend may not have as good eyesight as you do, but his sense of smell is far superior to any human. It is through his acute ability to pick up on scents that he knows and understands the world around him. Whenever your dog dashes off and escapes outside, he is not wandering off on some sightseeing adventure. Instead, he is roaming on a scenting delight.

And when those country-living hunting dogs head out into the open field, their nose sets a rapid pace with all of his other senses to help direct him on the exact way to go towards hunting down his prey. These dogs are aware of people, things, animals, food, vegetation, literally everything, all through the amazing sense of smell.

How A Dog’s Nose Works

The physical makeup of a dog’s nose is suited specifically for his laser targeted scenting talent. A dog picks up on an odor by drawing in several short breaths into the nasal passage. This odor mixes with the air and comes into contact with a mucous membrane which covers the olfactory nerves. Dogs have a much larger smelling membrane surface than people do.

Every living thing around us gives off molecules of odor. When a dog inhales these molecules, they are dissolved onto the mucous membrane. Once this happens, the scent is ready for the dog’s highly sensitive smelling equipment to take over. There are tiny nerves that relay the message of an odor, which travels to the olfactory nerve, and then signals directly to the brain.

Once the completed message is picked up by the brain, the dog’s scenting ability is so precise in interpreting the odor, that he can distinguish each one from hundreds of other similar type smells. For example, if a stick is marked and touched by a dog’s owner, the trained canine can individually single out this same stick out of hundreds of other sticks.

Dogs also have the ability to remember each scent it comes across and match it to the experience the brain produced. This memory to last a dog’s entire lifetime. A particular odor of a dog picked up could be remembered 8 – 10 years later in a dog’s life.

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