Say you have a dog whose given name is HoneyBun and you call her everything else but that.

There’s Bun, Bunster, Bun-Bun, Bunny, Bunny Boo, Bunny Boo Boo, and Boo.

Is it your fault that she doesn’t come when called?

Not necessarily say dog trainers.  Dogs are as adaptable to names as they are to situations. Use a normal name for your dog and keep the funny one for a nickname when you are sharing time alone or with good friends. Your dog can have more than one name he responds to, says Martin Deeley who works with Cesar Millan.

It’s more important to get your grammar right in addressing your dog than it is using the right name, says Stanley Coren, estimable psychologist and dog expert.

Each time we want our dog to do something we should start off with his name. That means that “HoneyBun, drop the roasted chicken.” is proper dog talk. Using their name first gets their attention and then they can follow the command.

As far as having pet names for pooches, it can’t be helped. For humans, pet names is a way to strengthen a bond of intimacy between us and our partners, children or pets.

Unfortunately, for our pets, unlike our partners, can’t easily protest being called “Admiral Snugglebums.’’