Help me get creative but not confusing or misleading
March 12, 2011 8:25 PM Subscribe
Help me get creative but not confusing or misleading: name my dog training business.
I am a special snowflake.
The obvious:
naming it after myself 'jane doe dog training' or the location 'new york city dog training' is not possible.
the second and third names I thought of were already taken, and the domain names taken.
what are my other choices?
I've been thinking about this so long that I've frozen.
Paths of thought:
crescent K9
dog star
sun dog
dark star
partnership
(these are mostly astronomical (they dont have to be)- I dont know why these are attractive)
also, acronyms like MABEL 'mothers always bring extra love' are attractive, but I dont know how I could use one.
help. I'm stuck.
I am a special snowflake.
The obvious:
naming it after myself 'jane doe dog training' or the location 'new york city dog training' is not possible.
the second and third names I thought of were already taken, and the domain names taken.
what are my other choices?
I've been thinking about this so long that I've frozen.
Paths of thought:
crescent K9
dog star
sun dog
dark star
partnership
(these are mostly astronomical (they dont have to be)- I dont know why these are attractive)
also, acronyms like MABEL 'mothers always bring extra love' are attractive, but I dont know how I could use one.
help. I'm stuck.
If you're thinking astronomically, why not a pun on Sirius, the dog star? Sirius Business, Sirius Fun, something like that? Maybe it's too obscure...but because of the old logo of Sirius Satellite Radio I think many people now associate Sirius with dogs whether or not they know why.
posted by troublesome at 9:07 PM on March 12, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by troublesome at 9:07 PM on March 12, 2011 [2 favorites]
I like Sun Dog, that's a great name. Crescent K9 and Sirius is good too.
I'd stay away from anything cutesy, new age or "fur baby" sounding. There are a lot of unqualified/ amateurish trainers out there and I think that be off putting to a lot of dog owners. I know it would be to me [/ex-animal trainer].
posted by fshgrl at 9:12 PM on March 12, 2011
I'd stay away from anything cutesy, new age or "fur baby" sounding. There are a lot of unqualified/ amateurish trainers out there and I think that be off putting to a lot of dog owners. I know it would be to me [/ex-animal trainer].
posted by fshgrl at 9:12 PM on March 12, 2011
Hmm. Snoopy from Peanuts was born at the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm, but someone had that idea already. Are there any local geographic features near where your business will be located, if your city name wouldn't work? Some examples from places I've lived: Prospect Hill, Mystic River, Oso Creek, Laguna Shore, Langwood Park.
posted by Dixon Ticonderoga at 9:18 PM on March 12, 2011
posted by Dixon Ticonderoga at 9:18 PM on March 12, 2011
Dog Stars Training?
Did any of the dogs you have owned have cute/usable names?
posted by amethysts at 9:35 PM on March 12, 2011
Did any of the dogs you have owned have cute/usable names?
posted by amethysts at 9:35 PM on March 12, 2011
The Dog Star is also called Sirius.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 10:04 PM on March 12, 2011
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 10:04 PM on March 12, 2011
DO NOT go with the name Dog Star.
posted by XhaustedProphet at 10:10 PM on March 12, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by XhaustedProphet at 10:10 PM on March 12, 2011 [3 favorites]
"Good Dogs Play Dead"
posted by XhaustedProphet at 10:13 PM on March 12, 2011
posted by XhaustedProphet at 10:13 PM on March 12, 2011
Are there any local geographic features near where your business will be located, if your city name wouldn't work?
Neighborhood names and other "local" associations are always good for this, if you're in New York (hard to tell whether that was just a Jane Doe esque example or you were being specific). You could always make a pun on that, too, or pick a quirky/unlikely one. For instance Sunnyside Up Dog Trainers if you live in Western Queens. Slope, Heights, and Burg could cover most Brooklyn neighborhoods. Naming your business after the street it's on, especially if it's a quintessential local street, is great. Arthur Avenue Pups? Henry Street Obedience School?
If you are totally not in New York and I judged wrong, what about Bark? (There's a hot dog spot in my neighborhood called that, but I think it would be sweet for any dog oriented establishment.)
posted by Sara C. at 11:47 PM on March 12, 2011
Neighborhood names and other "local" associations are always good for this, if you're in New York (hard to tell whether that was just a Jane Doe esque example or you were being specific). You could always make a pun on that, too, or pick a quirky/unlikely one. For instance Sunnyside Up Dog Trainers if you live in Western Queens. Slope, Heights, and Burg could cover most Brooklyn neighborhoods. Naming your business after the street it's on, especially if it's a quintessential local street, is great. Arthur Avenue Pups? Henry Street Obedience School?
If you are totally not in New York and I judged wrong, what about Bark? (There's a hot dog spot in my neighborhood called that, but I think it would be sweet for any dog oriented establishment.)
posted by Sara C. at 11:47 PM on March 12, 2011
I like 6:1's suggestion of Good dog.
Maybe make it
Good dog!
posted by Hot buttered sockpuppets at 12:17 AM on March 13, 2011
Maybe make it
Good dog!
posted by Hot buttered sockpuppets at 12:17 AM on March 13, 2011
I also really like mullacc's suggestion of
Obedience Inc.
and Sara C.'s suggestion of
Bark
posted by Hot buttered sockpuppets at 12:22 AM on March 13, 2011
Obedience Inc.
and Sara C.'s suggestion of
Bark
posted by Hot buttered sockpuppets at 12:22 AM on March 13, 2011
Another one for "Good Dog."
posted by The Light Fantastic at 12:36 AM on March 13, 2011
posted by The Light Fantastic at 12:36 AM on March 13, 2011
K9 is associated with guard dogs; it has hostile overtones.
Bark is a behaviour we're trying to avoid.
"Good Dog" is nice but it's heavily used, including in NYC, and not distinct.
"Sit Stay Roll" is available as a .com and while it isn't ideal, its easy to build a brand on so I might go with that, or a "Sit Stay ____" variation other than "come."
posted by DarlingBri at 12:51 AM on March 13, 2011
Bark is a behaviour we're trying to avoid.
"Good Dog" is nice but it's heavily used, including in NYC, and not distinct.
"Sit Stay Roll" is available as a .com and while it isn't ideal, its easy to build a brand on so I might go with that, or a "Sit Stay ____" variation other than "come."
posted by DarlingBri at 12:51 AM on March 13, 2011
If you google UBU, many different business already exist.
posted by XhaustedProphet at 3:10 AM on March 13, 2011
posted by XhaustedProphet at 3:10 AM on March 13, 2011
I think 'Dog Star Training' would be a great name. It has the astronomy link that appeals to you, and it also has the feeling that your dogs will excel.
Between satellite radio and Harry Potter, I don't think 'Sirius' is an obscure name at all anymore - so I wouldn't rule that out.
posted by Gordafarin at 4:51 AM on March 13, 2011
Between satellite radio and Harry Potter, I don't think 'Sirius' is an obscure name at all anymore - so I wouldn't rule that out.
posted by Gordafarin at 4:51 AM on March 13, 2011
Wags & Wiggles
posted by jaimystery at 5:43 AM on March 13, 2011
posted by jaimystery at 5:43 AM on March 13, 2011
Sit Fido Sit, or Stay Fido Stay, or Sit Fido Stay
posted by shortyJBot at 5:45 AM on March 13, 2011
posted by shortyJBot at 5:45 AM on March 13, 2011
Sirius Training
posted by Gomez_in_the_South at 5:55 AM on March 13, 2011
posted by Gomez_in_the_South at 5:55 AM on March 13, 2011
(it's no joke)
posted by Gomez_in_the_South at 5:55 AM on March 13, 2011
posted by Gomez_in_the_South at 5:55 AM on March 13, 2011
Sirius is Ian Dunbar's business name (as is Dog Star, which is part of his online presence). I would definitely avoid words and names already being used by (very) big names in the business.
Sit N Stay and things like that are ubiquitous. I would try to find something that reflects you and your methods. I like "Ahead of the Pack".
posted by biscotti at 8:02 AM on March 13, 2011
Sit N Stay and things like that are ubiquitous. I would try to find something that reflects you and your methods. I like "Ahead of the Pack".
posted by biscotti at 8:02 AM on March 13, 2011
"Doggone it" ?
Your dogs are good enough, they're smart enough, and doggone it, people LIKE good dogs.
posted by JMOZ at 8:35 AM on March 13, 2011
Your dogs are good enough, they're smart enough, and doggone it, people LIKE good dogs.
posted by JMOZ at 8:35 AM on March 13, 2011
Follow my lead.
posted by Capt.DooDooFace at 9:58 AM on March 13, 2011
posted by Capt.DooDooFace at 9:58 AM on March 13, 2011
Star Dogs?
Plays on the whole dog star/sirius thing, with the implication that your classes will turn my untrained dog into a star!
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 10:35 AM on March 13, 2011
Plays on the whole dog star/sirius thing, with the implication that your classes will turn my untrained dog into a star!
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 10:35 AM on March 13, 2011
Stay!
posted by punkrockrat at 10:51 AM on March 13, 2011
posted by punkrockrat at 10:51 AM on March 13, 2011
Whosagooddog!
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 4:55 PM on March 13, 2011
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 4:55 PM on March 13, 2011
Old Dog, New Tricks (only works if you are actually capable of teaching new tricks to old dogs).
posted by ambulatorybird at 7:51 PM on March 13, 2011
posted by ambulatorybird at 7:51 PM on March 13, 2011
nthing 'Good dog'. You can make the full name 'Good dog training school' or something for business and domain registration and the like, but the short form would be perfect-- it's informative, it's an offer, and it evokes a nice squiffy dog-lover emotion.
posted by fonetik at 2:11 AM on March 14, 2011
posted by fonetik at 2:11 AM on March 14, 2011
Happy Dogs Make Happy Owners (HaDMHO)
Happy Dogs, Happy Owners (HaDMO)
posted by cass at 9:32 AM on March 14, 2011
Happy Dogs, Happy Owners (HaDMO)
posted by cass at 9:32 AM on March 14, 2011
Bad Dogs Gone Good
DogDays
BFF Dogs
Doggy Do-Right
Silence of the Dogs
Dawgstyle
HotDogs
posted by thinkpiece at 11:06 AM on March 14, 2011
DogDays
BFF Dogs
Doggy Do-Right
Silence of the Dogs
Dawgstyle
HotDogs
posted by thinkpiece at 11:06 AM on March 14, 2011
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Sit & Stay
I think commands in the name may be helpful, your potential client base will get understand the name, (think advertising) without much explanation, (if any).
posted by 6:1 at 8:38 PM on March 12, 2011 [4 favorites]