Give a dog a bad name and he'll live up to it?

No, that is a myth; they don't have a clue as to the meaning of a bad name. Dogs "live up" to the way they are treated and cared for. If a dog is treated with love and affection, they will respond very well to that. If they are abused, neglected, or mistreated in any way, they will have behavioral problems, as well as physical and emotional problems, too.