Before searching our site for the right dog name, we’d like to offer some dog naming tips that will hopefully make your job easier, and ensure your puppy gets the best name possible.

Don't shirk your duties when it comes to naming your pup. These naming tips will help you get off to the right start.

Usually, when you decide it's time to have a puppy, thought, effort, and loads of research go hand in hand with finding the right breed for you and your family. Once you've chosen a particular breed, you then spend time meeting puppies and dogs, taking each one for a mini-test drive before deciding on a new friend.

There's no reason to spend that much energy on picking your pup's name, but a little extra effort goes a long way toward discovering a great name.

Put simply, you may end up using your dog's name over 35,000 times in the course of its life. Shouldn't it be a moniker you love?

When making a short-list of dog names, here are some important naming tips to consider: .

DOG NAMING TIPS and DOG NAMING ADVICE...

1. Stay away from potentially embarrassing names. The name “Stinky” might be cute at first, but as the joke gets old, how will you feel in a year or so when you have to call “Stinky” home at night? Also, how do you think young children might treat a dog with this name?

2. Does the dog name rhyme with something negative? Or maybe with the name of a family member or friend? Once discovered, kids might jump all over this and treat your dog differently, causing you to be one of those 1 in 5 people who want to change their dogs name!

3. Be mindful that your dog might outgrow it’s name. The name Buttercup might be appropriate for a cute puppy, but not when it becomes a full grown Great Dane!

4. Keep it to one or two syllables. Dogs not only learn it quicker, but it makes them easier to train as well.

5. Pick a name that matches your dogs appearance or personality. The name Electra might be a good name for an energetic pooch, but not for one that like’s to sleep all day.

6. Avoid names that sound like common commands such as Go, Stay, Sit, etc. This might cause confusion for your puppy when trying to train it.

7. Watch out for trendy names that might cause embarrassment once the trend is passed. Do you want people to realize from your dog’s name that you were once a big fan of Disco?

8. Beware of the common trend to name dogs after people. Though doing so is not a bad thing in itself, if you name your pup after a friend or family member, they might take offense. How will your human friend Sam like it when he hears…“Get off the couch Sam!” or worse…“I took Sam to get fixed the other day”…

9. Ask your dog what he thinks! Since it’s going to be his name, you might want to narrow your search down to your own 5 favorite names, then try them out on your dog. You’d be surprised how well he responds to some, yet yawns at others.

10. If you’ve adopted an older dog, it’s best to keep it’s current name so that it doesn’t become confused. If for some reason you must change it, consider a name that sounds similar or rhymes.

Although giving your dog a good name is important, what your dog really craves is the love and attention that comes from a good owner…..like you!