Two things -
First of all, thank you to everyone who left a comment on my last post. General consensus seems to be "Hey, dumbass. Call the cops already. [exaggerated eye roll]" But you didn't actually use the word "dumbass" and I appreciate that. A slight nudge feels a lot better than the proverbial boot to the butt. Less foot treads to wipe away, too.
I've been talking this over with Mr. C - who thinks I'm being paranoid - and a couple of neighbors we recently met - who seem to think I'm only being slightly paranoid - and we're going to call the authorities and have them check things out. I'll let you know how things work out.
And since you were all so generous with your opinions...
(I know what you're thinking, "Gimme a break, she's going to ask for more advice. The woman can't scratch her own ass without the help of the internets." And for the record, I can hear you.)
A looong time ago, my fabulously smart and insightful readers (and did I mention, you look fantastic today? Have you been working out?) came up with a list of names for my now-defunct dog training blog. Sooo.... *looking around coyly* I was hoping you could help me out again.
You see, I'm trying to get my own private dog training business up and running but the problem is this, I can't for the LIFE of me think of a decent name. I can train your dog to fetch you a beer from the fridge but coming up with a business name? Not too good in that department.
I've got one kicking around that sounds fine, I suppose. Want to hear it? You know you do.
The Family Dog.
How does that grab you? Yeah, I feel the same. Not bad but I don't know if I'm sold on it, not 100% anyway. And I needed to see it through your eyes before I settled on it so thoughts on that name are very much appreciated. BUT if you have one better - and I know you do because you're intelligent and creative and you look great in those jeans - I would really love to hear it.
The slant to my business is general dog training with basic behavior modification if necessary, but my main focus will be on families. I want to get the entire family involved and interested in caring for the family dog (hence the name I came up with) including the kids. I want my business to be very family friendly. And have I said "family" enough already? Family.
So, here's my criteria for the name:
- Must sound good said aloud - For example, on the phone "Hello, [business name]" It has to be snappy and not too cutesy because I hate cutesy.
- Must be searchable. So "dog" or "dog training" or the like should be in the title.
- Must look good on a business card.
I don't really have much to offer in return except my undying love and free dog advice, but that's something right?
Right?
Besides, you helped name my baby so a business name should be gravy.
(Please don't make me beg. It's not pretty.)
(Also, gravy. Mmmm, gravy.)
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Sometimes I don't know if I should wind my a*s or scratch my blog.
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32 comments:
Dog Gamut!
In Soviet Russia, Dog Trains YOU!
I'm kidding.
How about, The Doggy Door?
LMAO ok, Dog Gamut is rad.
Doggone good?
This is maybe overthinking, but is being so family-focused maybe going to alienate potential customers?
Ages ago we went to a dog training class and about half the people in it were single women.
I dunno. I know a couple of single people who'd rant about the idea -- oh, sure, dogs are only for married people! with kids!
but I got nothin' better, so.
GGC - Very catchy and I wouldn't have to worry about another trainer in my area having that name.
Pooch Camp (kinda like boot camp)
or
Doggy Boot Camp
Cate - And there lies the rub. I like "The Family Dog" and my main focus would be families with kids, but I wouldn't want to alienate the single person. Not so much the married/childless couples, though, because two people + one dog = family. In my book anyway.
Come to think of it, one person + one dog = family. Hmmm.
I think you should call it "I can train your dog to fetch you a beer from the fridge" and that will get your business humming right along.
How about:
Top Dog Dog Training
Alpha Dog Training
I suck at this---no that isn't a name for the company, it's me talking. I'll email you if I come up with anything better.
The Gravy Trainers (or trainer).
Hehe.
Off to find some gravy.
Speaking as a single person with a dog I'd just like to chime in and say "The Family Dog" makes me feel alienated. I don't have enough money for a dog trainer anyway so it's not like it matters but for the record...
It's good to know how you define family but given that most people don't share your feelings the implications are that you don't need my business.
So far I've got no better choice to put forth, though. I'll keep thinking and get back to you with any inspiration.
Along the lines of what FOM said, how about Beer Wench Pooch?
Or Beyond Fetching (a testament to your loveliness)?
A dog and his/her family
This would include singles. I am single and have a dog and two cats which have become my "children" so they are family.
One more:
DOGMA
And you can be the Dog 'Ma... Dogma's Favorite Dogma...ma.
Zing! I'll be here all night!
My suggestion is
Dog On It!
Dog Gone Good!
Your Dog Can Fetch Beer (hell, that factoid alone tempted me to get a dog just so you could train it)
Mistress T's Dog Training Dungeon
From Cujo To Lassie: Family Dog Training (you could answer the phone with just "Cujo to Lassie"; also, C2L is a cool acronym)
People Training.. Make your Pooch Proud
Leg Humper
Mrs C~~~ How about " Frisky Business"
"The Courteous Canine"
"Doggie Do-Right"
Or the personal fav in my house
" I Swear I Will De-bark You With A Spork"
I'm done.
What about "Tails and Tazers" your motto could be "We provide for all of your home protection needs". Just kidding!
I say flip your name around a bit "The Dog Family"...implies families with dogs, dogs with families, a family made up of dogs. Or "K-9 Klub", because somedays with my dog is like a good hazing into a club I didn't even know I wanted to join.
I liked Doggone Good.
I'm bad at coming up with names though.
So, while I have absolutely nothing to offer you, I'm hoping to totally mooch information. Do you still have your dog training blog up? I just got a 9 week old puppy this weekend and I can use all the help I can get!
This isn't exactly helpful but I immeadiately thought Dog Day Afternoon.
Although I think Top Dog Training sounds very marketable.
Barking Up The Right Tree
Go Fetch
Doggone It
Good Dog
Pooched
In the Dog House
End of My Leash
I'll keep thinking...
I think you should go with The Family Dog. I like that it makes it sound like your dog is part of your family, whether you're single or married or WHATEVER. I think that's the gift of having a pet you love, that even if you are all alone, the two of you are a family to one another. So I like that.
And I also think that most of your business would probably be families who wanted a well-trained family pet, and that name really cuts to the chase.
So I think you should go with that, personally. Every name I came up with is much more lukewarm.
Now that that's settled, I need to go google dogs fetching beer. I can't even get my dog to sit half teh time, much less fetch a freaking beer.
I think The Family Dog is lacking in creativity. But Doggie Boot Camp, Doggone It... are so much better...
Think you answer the phone with:
DOGGONE IT - you've reached Mary.
I was thinking about "Training your Dog faster than you can train your husband"... but that's just too long.
He'll come before you call...
Has anybody said Gone To The Dogs?
I like Julie's "Beyond Fetching". Although it doesn't meet the must-say-dog-in-the-title requirement. Doggone Good and Doggie Do-right are funny, too.
If The Family Dog is alienating people you could call it The Good Dog.
but you then have to come to Vancouver and help MY family dog!!!
i actually like the simplicity of 'the family dog.' my other suggestions would be "a family tail," "sit and stay," "a family four paws," "the good dog," or "the dog train."
I like Dog Gone Good, actually. Nice ring to it.
My suggestion was going to be:
Dog Training Owners
A sort of double entendre, n'est-ce pas? Plus it's good for Google searching.
AlphaBitch?
(I'm a marketing GENIUS! Bwuahahahaha!)
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