hello !
mods like no auto-levelling up for party members generate this problem because ( for me, and i have several mods installed ) they modify the file "player-core.nss" (.ncs when compiled). If you want to rename your dog and have this file in your override directory, save before entering the larder where the dog is, exit the game, put away the file, launch, load and do the dog scene, re-save , exit and re-put the file in override directory. I do that way and it'll work everytime i do it.
If that can help . . . .
PS: sorry for my bad english writings, i'am french. . .