What's in a Name?

[MangoMuttonChops]

We've had Lala now for a month this Friday. We got her from the shelter and she's 4 +/- years old and she came to us with the name Lala. Her vocabulary grows and she's very smart.

Our problem is that we also have 3 dogs and one of them is named Nala.

At first we didn't think it would be a problem having such similar names but honestly ill sensing confusion and maybe even sadness from Nala and I think it's because suddenly there is this new creature that gets our attention and and space in HER home and even her name. She's 7 and while I love my dog I know she's a jealous dog and sharing her name seems like it might cause behaviors.

I know that birds can be able to learn a different name...is it mean to Lala though?

We don't want to upset either of them...We even like the name Lala.

Any advice on what to do? Anyone have a similar story?

 

[Tami2]

Hmmm, I have no idea about parrot psychology, but I’m very interested in hearing what others think.
What about Kayla? Still to close?

Good Luck.

 

[MangoMuttonChops]

Nope not too close! We are thinking of names that would be easy to transition to.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

When Jonesy lived here,he had that name all his life (28 years or so)

His new parronts families daughter renamed him to "BOB" and he responses to that name It don't think Lala would care,just as you don't call her "late for dinner"





Jim

 

[Katu]

I don't believe it matters to the bird or dog if you change their name. They just accept it. When we rescued our first Chihuahua, we changed her name. Ironically, her name is now Lola.

 

[LordTriggs]

I'm sure she won't mind the name change

I will say though that my dog Dexter often responds to the cat's name (cobweb) or the other dog's name (paddy) and my old dog Buster would respond to another cat (blossom)

they just want to come respond to whoever is making noise as obviously fun or food is involved

 

[Laylatoo]

Is it pronounced La-La? Why not use Layla? My Layla gets called Lay a lot. I doubt she would mind a little name tweak.

 

[jugoya]

You could also just add another sound to the name.

Le Lala;

Delala or Delilah.

aka more pretty sounds for the bird to respond too.

 

[Siobhan]

I've changed birds' names twice. A tiel who came with the name Snowball (ugh) and I changed it to Johnny and actually, I think he was relieved. Snowball???? I had a pigeon who'd been called Magic for five years and when she moved in with me, I changed it to Maggie and she, too, took to the new name immediately. Since your dog was there first, she gets preference on keeping the disputed name, and I'll bet if you just pick something nice (and try several out on Lala to see which she likes best) and then use it to death the first week or two ("How's Persimmon today? What a good Persimmon you are! What a pretty Persimmon!") she'll accept it fairly quickly.