Girl Dog Names Beginning With D

By Janice Jones   |Updated 03-22-2024

Enjoy browsing through our girl dog names beginning with D list.

Girl Dog Names Beginning with D

Our Criteria for Choosing Girl Dog Names Beginning with D

  1. The shorter the name the better.  Dogs usually hear the first syllable.
  2. Words ending in an "a" or "e" sound work well for dogs
  3. Two syllable words are easiest to teach.
  4. Choose a name you can hear yourself shouting down your road (You never know when your sweet little fur ball is going to take off.)

Why Follow These Rules When Deciding on a Name

Dogs process sounds differently from humans, and their auditory system is unique to their species.

Firstly, dogs are very good at picking up on patterns in sounds. When it comes to understanding vocal commands, dogs mostly rely on the sounds of the words and how they are pronounced rather than on the spoken words themselves.

Dogs usually hear the first syllable of a word more clearly than the rest.

This happens because, in normal conversation, we tend to emphasize the first syllable of the word more. Emphasis includes intensity (loudness), pitch, and duration. For example, people often stretch the first syllable when calling a dog's name, especially when trying to get a dog’s attention.

This naturally helps to grab a dog's attention and gives them a cue that a command or instruction will follow.

Therefore, dog trainers often suggest one or two-syllable names where the first syllable is distinct and commanding. It makes it easier for dogs to recognize and respond to their name.

Dogs can distinguish these sounds more effectively when a name ends with a vowel, especially the "a" or "e" sounds. This could be because these sounds often carry a different tonal quality than many consonants, thus being more distinctive to a dog's ears.

While these recommendations can certainly be helpful, it’s most important to remember that individual dogs may vary, and training plays a significant role in a dog’s responsiveness.

Cute Girl Dog Names Beginning with D

  • Daffodil
  • Daffy
  • Dagwood
  • Dahlia
  • Daiquiri
  • Daisy
  • Dakota
  • Dalia
  • Dallas
  • Dally
  • Dana
  • Dancer
  • Dandelion
  • Danette
  • Dani
  • Danise
  • Danielle
  • Danny
  • Dara
  • Darbee
  • Darci
  • Darcie
  • Darcy
  • Daria
  • Darla
  • Darling
  • Dash
  • Dascha
  • Dasha
  • Dawn
  • Dax
  • Dayton
  • Dazzle
  • Debbie
  • Debs
  • Decibel
  • Decker
  • Dedra
  • Dee
  • Dee Dee
  • Deena
  • Deepika
  • Deidra
  • Deirdre
  • Deja
  • Deka
  • Delfina
  • Delilah
  • Dell
  • Della
  • Delphine
  • Delta
  • Demi
  • Denali
  • Denice
  • Denim
  • Denni
  • Denver
  • Dera
  • Desi
  • Desiree
  • Destiny
  • Devin
  • Devina
  • Devon
  • Dewdrop
  • Dharma
  • Di
  • Dia
  • Diamond
  • Diana
  • Diaz
  • Dibble
  • Diesel
  • Digit
  • Dignity
  • Dija
  • Dijon
  • Dilly
  • Dimple
  • Dior
  • Disco
  • Dita
  • Divinity
  • Dixie
  • Dior
  • Diva
  • Dizzy
  • Dodie
  • Dolce
  • Dolly
  • Domino
  • Doodle
  • Doodles
  • Dora
  • Dorcas
  • Dorito
  • Dori
  • Doris
  • Dorkas
  • Doreen
  • Dot
  • Dotta
  • Dottie
  • Dove
  • Drea
  • Drizzle
  • Duchess
  • Ducky
  • Duggan
  • Duffy
  • Dulce
  • Dulcie
  • Dulcet
  • Dumpling
  • Duna
  • Dundee
  • Dunkin
  • Dudley
  • Dusty
  • Dwarf
  • Dwyn
  • Dyani

How to Teach Your Dog to Recognize His Name

Teaching a dog its new name involves a few simple steps, patience, and consistency. Here's a guide on how to do it:

1. Choose a quiet environment free from distractions to start the training process.

2. Hold a treat in your hand. Ensure your dog knows you have it, but don't let them get it yet. The treat will help to get your dog's attention.

3. Say your dog's name in a clear, upbeat, and positive tone.

4. If your dog looks at you when you say their name, immediately give them the treat and praise them warmly. If they don't respond, try again, but remember never to repeat their name too quickly or too many times, as they can become desensitized. Keep your training sessions short but regular to help the dog remember.

5. Repeat this exercise several times over a few days or weeks. It's essential to say their name the same way each time consistently.

6. Gradually, start calling their name without the treat, rewarding their response with praise and strokes instead. Your dog should start to respond to its name without expecting a treat every time.

7. Once your dog responds to its name in a quiet environment, start practicing in various locations and situations with more distractions.

Remember, positive reinforcement is key to successful training. Always make it a fun and rewarding experience for your dog to respond to its new name.

Helpful Hint

If you are purchasing a puppy from a breeder, ask the breeder to start using the name as soon as possible.  When your puppy is ready to go home, he will already know his name!

More Dog Name Ideas

dogs-sense-of-taste.jpg

Need some great Dog Names?  Here is our girl puppy names D to G page to help you on your search for the perfect name. 

Check our other dog names pages for more ideas and for suggestions on how to name your puppy. 

Got a boy dog, check out these suggestions for boy dog names.

Want a dog's name based on your breed's country of origin?

Want your dog's name to reflect her color? 

Black Dog Names         

White Dog Names         

Black and White Dog Names

Tan Dog Names

Brown Dog Names

Red Dog Names

Love the movies?  Choose a famous name from Disney.

Want your little girl to be named after a famous goddess?

Dog Names Based on Mythology

About Janice (author and voice behind this site)

Having lived with dogs and cats most of her life, Janice served as a veterinary technician for ten years in Maryland and twelve years as a Shih Tzu dog breeder in Ohio.

Her education includes undergraduate degrees in Psychology with a minor in biology, Early Childhood Education, and Nursing, and a master's in Mental Health Counseling.

She is a lifelong learner, a dog lover, and passionate about the welfare of animals. Her favorite breed for over 50 years has been the Shih Tzu, but she has also lived with Poodles, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Beagles, English Bulldogs, Carin Terriers, and a Cocker Spaniel.

When not writing, reading, and researching dog-related topics, she likes to spend time with her eight Shih Tzu dogs, husband, and family, as well as knitting and crocheting. She is also the voice behind Miracle Shih Tzu and Smart-Knit-Crocheting

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