6 yrs ago I became the mommy of a poodle who's elderly mommy had passed a'way. I changed her name and she was fine. She didn't have a very good life before she came to me. I agree with the post that said they respond to tone of voice, body language and most of all LOVE!!! She was fine with the change, and after a little consistency, she learned it perfectly. The nicknames people call their dogs crack me up. I too have several for my yorkie and shih-poo. Their names are Otis and Oliver (Otie and Ollie) but they answer to monkey face, bubby, baby dog, sugar butt, puddin...etc. You can tell how much we love our doggies!!!!
