Helping a Greyhound Become Familiar with their New Name

It is very common for greyhounds to be given a new name when entering a GAP NSW program or by their adopters.

Here at GAP NSW, each dog is microchipped and registered with the NSW Pet Registry, which is a statewide system. If you decide to adopt from us, we will update their name in the registrar for you.

As part of settling into their new home, part of that is developing familiarity with their new name, let’s learn how!

We believe that the best name for your new grey is the one you love most!

There are no right or wrong choices and it comes down to your preferences. Miss Ramjet, Quokka, Rocky or a classic like Lenny are all great.

The most important factor when pronouncing a name is tonality. 

This is the subconscious reason that people choose names or nicknames that end with y, like Annie, Suzy, Ziggy and so on.

The annunciation of these words tends to make humans adopt a higher pitch, which is an important factor when calling a dog. With that said, there’s nothing wrong with names that do not end in y, it’s more about being happy and engaging so our dogs are receptive.

Helping a greyhound become familiar with their new name is a critical part of what we do at GAP NSW.

As a greyhound's name is likely to change when they enter our program, we want to give them the best chance at learning that name before adoption. This is reinforced by our wonderful adopters, as we ask them to call the grey by their new name.

The Name Game technique involves calling out the desired name for a Greyhound in a cheerful, upbeat tone. When the Greyhound responds to the new name by showing alertness or looking towards the trainer, the trainer should mark the occasion by using a positive sound such as "yes." While a clicker is fine too, the universal cue for marking in this technique is "yes."

After marking, the trainer should immediately provide the dog with a high-value treat and repeat the process 3-4 times during each session, which could last from 2-10 minutes depending on the dog's level of attentiveness and engagement. Consistency is key, and the trainer should repeat the exercise several times throughout the day, rewarding the Greyhound each time it responds to its new name.

The key to success with this technique is building a strong association between the new name and the reward of food. Through repetition and consistency, the Greyhound will begin to learn its new name and respond accordingly.

If the dog already knows its previous name and the adopter wishes to change it, the same principles of the Name Game can be applied with a few modifications.

This method involves adding an extra step to the Name Game technique where the trainer briefly pauses after saying the dog's original name, then says the new name and delivers a treat. This pause allows the Greyhound to associate its previous name with the trainer's attention and engagement.

When the new name is introduced and immediately followed by the reward, the dog will begin to associate the reward with the new name. Over time, the adopter can phase out the use of the old name and focus solely on the new name, building a stronger association with the reward.

By using this technique, the trainer can modify the Greyhound's existing name while still acknowledging its previous name, which can help ease the transition to the new name.

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In many cases, adopters will see an adaptation to a new name within as little as one week, however, this period could be longer, given the unique circumstances of the grey.

After noticing a positive change, the owner can gradually reduce the frequency of name training.

When a Greyhound is responding well to their new name, it's important to look for indicators that vary from dog to dog. Like many breeds, Greyhounds are typically not fond of direct eye contact, so other signs should be used to gauge their response.

To measure name recognition, people can expect recall.

This means that if the owner says the dog's name and it comes over to them, it's a strong indication that the Greyhound is responding well to the new name. Other signs of recognition could be the dog pricking its ears up or general attentiveness.

The tips we offer include a comprehensive Name Recognition Training Guide that is included in our adoption packs. This guide takes adopters through the process of associating the new name with the Greyhound.

However, if adopters encounter difficulties, we are only a phone call or email away and can provide assistance.

If you would like to start the process of meeting your new best mate, please use our greyhounds page to see some of our amazing poochies for adoption!