How terrible is it to rename your dog? *BT ref*

It's a hard one. I think I'd be inclined to say don't stress about it until you know what baby is? You may find another girls name you like. If your heart is set on Rose for a girl then I'd change the dogs name. Incidentally, my eldest two boys are named after family dogs, although the dogs were no longer around by the time the babies came along.

We ended up in the same position but with our dog Molly haha. Ended up with a Matthew anyway but not sure we'd have renamed ours but she wasn't a pup at that point and everyone had been used to it.
It's not cruel to rename doggy, she'll get used to it in no time through repetition. It's one of the most important choices picking your childs name so if you're really set on that name just do it, doesn't matter what anyone else thinks it'll stick with her for life (if baba is a she after all) & you don't want to name her something else and keep doggy with that name then regret it some point down the line..if you are going to change doggys name though I agree to do it asap and get her used to it

Since I got pregnant the first time and very first started thinking of names it's always been Rose. Nothing else comes close. I only used Rosie for pup because I was so fed up with not getting pregnant and I felt like I'd never get to use Rose!

I think I'm over worrying about what people will think. Not sure why I care so much! I'm just fretting like a fool. Argh my brain hurts!

Yeah I think you are over thinking it, i'm sure no one will think anything of it Don't worry about it just do what you both want, sounds to me like Rose is the right name for baby should she be a she

If you've trained your dog and she knows her name, you cannot change it! That is so unfair of you; it's her bit of security!! I'm sorry, but there seems to be a bit of not fully considering the impact of change on your animals on here recenetly and it is making my blood boil.

If you can't take the full time responsibility for 10+ years, don't get the animal. Period.

If baby is a girl and you do change, surely that would confuse the dog as you'd be calling the baby by her old name?

Are you having the gender scan?

i think that's a little harsh, it's nothing to do with not being able to handle the responsibility!

If you're set on Rose then I would change it. My only worry would be like Hattrick says if the dog responds to the baby's name. We got a rescue dog when it was a pup and my mum didn't like her name (Aggie) so my dad (who trained dogs for 15 years) said as long as it sounds similar they will get used to it in time while they are still young. We chose Diggie (Pokemon fans back then haha) and she responded to that straight away.

A friend of mine had a girl and thought she was done having kids so got a cat and named it Jack (the name she never got to use) an yep had a boy! She named him something else though as the cat was about 6/7.

we've had several dogs (and cats) from re-homing centres over the years. Most of them have been strays and we've had no idea of their names. They've responded pretty quickly to whatever we named them.

Clearly my years of dog training experience are wrong then. As you were.

Do it OB. The dog will get used to it. We've taken in cats over the years and given them a new name (didn't know their old name) and they get used to it pretty quickly. As somebody said, it's also the tone. I also realise dogs aren't cats.

Your heart says change the doggie's name, do it. You've been through a hell of a lot and changing the name will not have any impact on your doggie's quality of life.

Also, **** what other people think. If anyone comments in the future, just give them a really odd look and say "noo.... the dog has always been called puppy/poppy/whatever" and look really confused

Honestly you might feel differently when you meet your baby about Rose. My little sister was supposed to be Sophie and then when my mum saw her, she knew she was an Amy. What's in a name? A rose by any other naem will smell as sweet.

My children were to be Benjamin and Gwendoline my Ex vetoed both names as he didn't like them.

And my daughter has one name but is usually known by her nickname instead.

My mum rescued a dog when it was about 6, didn't know the name so chose one for it.

I don't have much experience other than that but in my opinion, as long as the dog is well looked after that's the main thing.

Hmm it's a tough one but personally I don't think I could change the dog's name. All I can think is that in the next few months things are going to change in your house a lot anyway and then to add to it you change her name and then bring in someone else who you're calling her name iyswim?

It's very difficult but I don't think you should change her name. Although she would get used to the change if you have a girl and do call her Rose that would totally confuse the dog. I know with rescue animals we don't alwasy know their original names but in this case you do know her name and she knows it too. IMO it would be too much change for the dog she will already have to get used to a baby (which she will) but to change everything she knows seem svery unfair to me. Although if you are dead set on changing it keeping a similar sound or using Poppy if she responds to puppy would be best. Friends of mine rescued a lovely staff who was called Facer by the dogs home but she didn't like it and changed it to Acer. He accepted this change straight away but he still responds to Facer or Acer now.

I'm afraid I'm in the 'better not to change it' camp. I completely understand your reasons for wanting to do so, but I do think it would be a bit unfair on Rosie to then have a baby with her old name in the house, it will probably become very confusing for her.

Could you not have Rose as a middle name if bump is a girl? You might not be able to think of another name that you like more at the moment, but there is still time

I agree with Sange I'm afraid.

That's a bit harsh, I have 3 dogs and they all respond to a noise that is similar to their given name. Tics and Riffs similar names and both will respond, Ludo also responds to pludo, fludo etc etc If you want to rename your dog it's not the end of the world and I'm sure she will respond to Posie or anything similar to that. Funnily enough Tics also responds to git!

I'd have to name my baby the name I'd set my heart on, so I'd go with Rose and call the dog Poppy if she will respond to that.

Mixed opinions then.

I've nothing to say to those who would say I'm not a responsible dog owner and not committed to my pet. That's a ridiculous comment to make. She has a very happy life and will have a happy life with us for as long as she lives.

Thank you everyone who has replied. I still don't really know what to do. But I know that Rose is the only girl name I'd be happy with, and to me a child's name has to be more important than the dogs.

OB, your beautiful dog responds to the noise of her name not the name, so if you want to rename her then do it, you won't hurt her feelings...the unconditional love and devotion you show her is way more important.

Don't get defensive, OB. The posts concerned about the impact on the dog raise some very valid points. I don't agree with you saying a child's name is more important than a dog's though; you had the dog first and she's about to go through a massive upheaval in getting used to there being a baby around, so compounding that with a name change - especially when she will hear that name in conjunction with the new baby - could be confusing and unsettling to her.

I would speak to a dog training specialist before making any decisions. Am I right in thinking Rosie is still quite young? It could be that that is in your favour and it will be easy to get her used to a new name, or the trainer may strongly advise against it. Either way, that will be the best person to ask.

If it was me, I wouldn't risk unsettling the dog any more than is necessary.

All our dogs are from rescue homes so the upheaval that they go through on rehoming is immense and most are renamed, Dave became Tic Tac so i believe that with never ending love all animals become what they are irrelevant of their name.

She's 5 months, and it's 5 months until the baby is due. And then it might be a boy so I could be years off calling a baby girl Rose. And I call her puppy 75% of the time anyway.

I do feel defensive about it to be honest. She has a lovely life and is a very happy dog. I don't appreciate the insinuation that I don't care about her.

I genuinely cannot understand how anyone would think the name of a dog is as important than that of a child.

I'd just keep the dog's name as Rosie AND use Rose if you have a daughter (assuming she will always be a Rose and not a Rosie also).

Worst case scenario you have to tell a funny story to a stranger in the park.

This will sound very harsh, and it's meant with respect and caring, but if you cannot see the importance behind stability for a young dog - particularly at a time when they're going through the upheaval of introducing a new person into their home - then you DO need to consider whether you are a 100% committed owner.

The dog's name IS very important, because that is how you get her attention and give her commands. When you have a new baby around, it will be more important than ever that she responds immediately to your command. Putting that in jeopardy by changing her name AND giving her name to the new baby instead is not something you should do unless absolutely necessary. I do not think "but I want to call my baby that name" counts as absolutely necessary.

This and I agree with you OB. It's the love from the home and the sound of the name that's important not the name itself. Let us know what puppy's new name is and bonio have some new biscuits to celebrate with. ?

If we decide to change it would be from now, so there would be at least 5 months of no one saying Rosie. Possibly years if this baby is a boy.

Ducky, it's quite possible that Rose would be called Rosie by grandparents etc, I don't think we could get away with having a Rose and a Rosie.

I don't know how to respond to you arquard. I couldn't disagree with you more.

I could see your point if the baby was def a girl and due any day, but we are talking a minimum of 5 months, the whole length of her life again, for her to get used to a new name.

To be quite honest I don't care if you don't think I am 100% committed to my dog. You're wrong. She has a lovely life and is well treated. I dread to think what opinion you must have of people who rehome dogs when it isn't 'absolutely necessary', as you put it.

Let's just hope it's a boy then!

Everyone will know Rosie (dog) as Rosie as she has already met lots of people and other dogs, not forgetting her photos on FB. It might be exhausting trying to change her name - and this is thinking purely for practical reasons. I'm not sure I'd have the energy, especially whilst not feeling 100% whilst pregnant, to correct people and put up with any negative comments (as highlighted here).

Can your husband switch her name easily like you think you will be able to? Why not trial it for a week and monitor Rosie's behaviour, happiness and response to your commands. If she hasn't got it in a week, chances are it will be a hard transition. If all goes smoothly then you have your answer.

I'm all for an simple life for all involved, Rosie included. See how it goes but if things aren't going well, don't force it upon yourselves and most improtantly Rosie.

Thanks EF x

H is happy to change, as he loves the name Rose too.

I know it's not practical, it's a big pain in the arse actually. But it really is the only girl name I love.

I know time is not really on your side on this one and a decision has to be made soon but you'd be surprised how quickly you can change your mind on a baby's name too. I always said there were no boys names I liked except Noah, all 3 pregnancies with boys I was adamant I was having Noah this time. None of my boys are Noah.