To rename puppy or not: ethical dilemma

[Anonymous]

Go ahead, OP. Tell us the names!

[Anonymous]

It’s only OK if you rename it Larlo

[Anonymous]

It’s a DOG.

[Anonymous]

I've heard it's a good thing to do. Maybe that's in cases where the dog's old owners weren't so good to him. In any case, we renamed our adopted dog and he seems fine. I don't think they have a human sense of self-identity tied to their names, so it's not an ethical dilemma.

[Anonymous]

Rename the dog. And then look up what an ethical dilemma is.

[Anonymous]

We got our dog as a puppy. He has an official long that we still using when we introducing him. He knows that name. But then, at home, he has at least two dozen nicknames and he responds to all of them. I don't think your dog would care.

[Anonymous]

Different take here: how old are the original owners' young children, OP? It sounds like it's a really tough situation. If they're going to be returning to the area even to visit, or staying in touch, or using the memory of the dog and its new 'good home' as a means of coping with the transition, then it might be a good idea to retain the original name.

I'm admittedly an over-thinker, but I've seen more than one family that had to re-home a beloved pet due to similar situations, and it was the thought/memory of the pet 'in a good place' that helped an otherwise horrid situation seem okay. The kids could barely get their hands around the move itself, which was traumatic, much less having to leave their pet behind. They were old enough that they stayed in touch with friends, etc., who knew the dog and if they'd heard it was re-named, well....

On the other hand, if the kids are very young (as in under 3 and/or absolutely NO lingering connection/return to your family or the area), then no harm done.

Good luck -- and thank you for helping the family by stepping in to support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
How nice to have such small problems. I would rename the dog without second thoughts.

It's the PETS forum for pete's sake.

Yes, and pets become ill, die or hurt people or other animals. Renaming a dog shouldn't cause this much angst.

Really? The OP posed a question. A simple question that she didn't know the answer to. She got answers. She might even come back and say "thanks". No sense she is angst-ridden.

Perhaps you need to do something to become less judgmental before you choke on the bile.

NP Well in the title she/he wrote "ethical dilemma" I guess I agree with pp. Re-naming a dog is a small issue and not in any way an ethical dilemma.

But, you sound like you have some issues of your own!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
How nice to have such small problems. I would rename the dog without second thoughts.

It's the PETS forum for pete's sake.

Yes, and pets become ill, die or hurt people or other animals. Renaming a dog shouldn't cause this much angst.

Really? The OP posed a question. A simple question that she didn't know the answer to. She got answers. She might even come back and say "thanks". No sense she is angst-ridden.

Perhaps you need to do something to become less judgmental before you choke on the bile.

NP Well in the title she/he wrote "ethical dilemma" I guess I agree with pp. Re-naming a dog is a small issue and not in any way an ethical dilemma.

But, you sound like you have some issues of your own!

Seems to me the ethical dilemma is about handling the feelings of the family who has to give up the dog under duress. This is a family they know personally. I don’t think the OP is super worried about the dog’s sense of self.

[Anonymous]

Of course you can rename a 9 month puppy. We renamed the dog we adopted without thinking about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rename the dog. And then look up what an ethical dilemma is.

Actually, do this part first.

[Anonymous]

I couldn't wait to rename my dog. He was two. The first name didn't fit him.

[Anonymous]

It's fine - and enjoy your new dog