I used to think that keeping an animal's old name was a good thing, on the rare occasions when I knew it, as it was the one thing that was familiar in a totally new environment. They kind of light up when they hear it. For dogs that have had any kind of negative experience in the past with people, now I think changing their name can be a good thing. For some dogs, their name has been used while they've been yelled at and sometimes hit. What can I say? Some people are idiots.
One of my dogs, when new here, had a stressed reaction to his original name, when used in a firm tone. I wasn't yelling at him, just using it in a firm tone, while training. He never acted like that after I changed his name. He also had a very bad fear reaction to Christmas trees our first Christmas together. He had been severely punished and dumped at the shelter the previous year, after getting into some Christmas presents. Sometimes in the first year, they can show fear or stress reactions to normal things, because of something that happened. Just acting calm and normal helps a lot. I often talk in an upbeat manner and go get treats, to change the mood at times like that.
This particular dog wasn't housebroken at 6 months old, either, but straightened out in a day and never had an accident after that. I guess leaving him loose in the house as a young puppy for 13 HOURS a day and then yelling and hitting him when they came home wasn't working for him as a training method. It is amazing some of the stories I have had people tell me, when they say they're having trouble with their dog.
I'm sure your dog will turn out great, because you are an intelligent and kind person. What a lucky dog. Congratulations on the new addition!
