How to Spell Your Dog's Name With Letter Charms

Count the charm holes first

Every Wag & Charm collar has a row of charm holes, and the number depends on the size. A Small collar has 3 charm holes, a Medium has 5, and a Large has 7. Wag & Charm leashes have 5 charm holes each.

So before you fall in love with a long name, match it to the size. A name like Bo or Gus fits anywhere. A name like Willow needs a Medium or a Large. If your dog wears a Small and the name is long, do not worry — the next section has workarounds.

You can browse every letter in the Letter & Name Charms collection, and see how the holes sit on the Custom Charm Collar itself.

Short names and nicknames

Short names are the easiest win. Three to five letters fill a collar neatly, with room to spare on larger sizes for a fun charm at one end.

If your dog's full name is long, a nickname often works better on the collar. Bella instead of Isabella, Max instead of Maximilian. Most dogs answer to the short version anyway, and it leaves space to add a heart, star or flower after the name.

Initials are another option for a Small collar. A single letter charm centered on the collar looks clean and still feels personal.

Choosing a letter style

Wag & Charm letters come in two materials. PVC letters are flat and bold, in varsity and round styles that read clearly from across the park. Resin letters are glossy, three-dimensional and pastel, with a softer candy-like look. Both fit the same charm holes, so the choice is purely about the look you want.

A simple rule of thumb: if the collar color is light, bold PVC letters stand out beautifully; if the collar is dark or saturated, pastel resin letters pop against it. You can also mix the two materials on one collar — many people spell the name in one style and add a single character charm in the other.

Mix letters with fun charms

Letters do not have to do all the work. A popular layout is the name in the middle with a character charm on each side, or a single character charm at the end like a period on a sentence.

The Pastel Resin Letter Charms are sold one letter at a time, so you can buy exactly the letters you need and nothing more. Mixing resin letters with a glossy character charm gives the collar a playful, collected look.

Think about balance. On a Small collar with 3 holes, three letters fill it exactly. On a Large with 7 holes, a five-letter name leaves one hole free on each side — a natural spot for a matching pair of character charms that frame the name.

Layout tips before you press anything in

Lay the collar flat and arrange the charms on top of it before pushing them in. Start from the middle letter and work outward so the name stays centered. Step back and look at it from a few feet away — that is how it will read on a walk.

Charms are not permanent. If the spacing feels off, pop them out and try again. Swapping is part of the fun, and many people keep a small dish of extra letters for holidays and seasons.

If you share photos of your dog, the centered layout matters even more: a name that sits in the middle of the collar reads clearly in pictures, while an off-center name can look like a typo. Two minutes of arranging saves a lot of rearranging later.

One last idea: the leash has 5 charm holes too, so a longer name can continue there. Put the first part of the name on the collar and a nickname or a few matching letters on the leash, and the whole set tells the story.

A quick care note

One general note: charms are decorative. Check them regularly to make sure each one is still seated firmly, and remove any charm your dog chews on.

Frequently asked questions

How many letters fit on a Wag & Charm collar?

A Small collar has 3 charm holes, a Medium has 5 and a Large has 7. Leashes have 5 holes each.

What if my dog's name is longer than the hole count?

Use a nickname or initials, or mix letters with a single character charm so the name still reads clearly.

Can I buy just the letters I need?

Yes. Letter charms are sold individually, one letter at a time, in the Letter & Name Charms collection.