How Should We Treat A Stray Dog Correctly

For a stray dog. Nobody knows where he came from. Nobody knows what his breed is. Nobody knows whether he is sterilized or not. People in my street have given him an unusual name. But one thing that everybody knows is that he is a nuisance. He is a nuisance because he barks late at night and early in the morning. He is a nuisance because he sneaks inside the warm houses of people the moment he gets a chance. He is a nuisance because he steals food. He is a nuisance because he keeps strangers away from his street and snarls at new people. He is a nuisance because he wants to be loved.

This is not the story of just one dog. There are millions like this dog in every corner of our country. Our culture teaches us that every form of life is a part of God. Even animals are another form of God. But we forget this simple teaching when we beat these stray dogs black and blue and run them over by our cars. Sometimes we go to the extent of even poisoning them. We forget that they are also a form of life; they also need food and shelter to survive. They also need love.

Being a city dog is not an easy task. It starts in their infancy when they have to fight with their siblings for their mother's milk. That mother who herself was a street dog and never got proper food her entire life. After this, these pups have to survive the streets where everyday either they are crushed under vehicles or are shooed away by humans. Those few who survive all this are not that lucky as this is when their lifelong battle with the streets and people begins.

During this battle, these dogs have to endure a lot. They are beaten up by people, treated extremely badly, run over by vehicles, have to live in filth and never get proper food. Some people go to the extent of poisoning these dogs to get rid of them. Those who care for these dogs are shunned by their neighbours for causing the so-called menace of stray dogs in the locality. What people fail to understand here is that why these dogs create such trouble. The simple answer lies in them not getting proper food and shelter. People who want to keep pets go for expensive purebred dogs and forget the fact that there is another homeless, equally loyal dog down the street that has to search for food every single day of its existence.

The menace of stray dogs is not limited to India; it is very much there in other countries like United States of America and United Kingdom. In 2010, there was a proposal in Bucharest to kill sick and aggressive dogs and those in shelters who are not adopted after seven days. These kinds of policies are not new and have been seen in a number of countries. There are countries which even follow these policies.

But killing these stray dogs is not an effective measure to tackle the problem, adopting them and treating them as a life form is. Instead of considering these dogs a nuisance we should consider them as friends and treat them properly. They crave for proper food, shelter and a bit of love. If we provide them that, then they can peacefully coexist along with us.

A more effective solution can be to capture these dogs, sterilize them and then restore them back to where they came from. This kind of a policy ensures that they are not ruthlessly killed. This also keeps a check on their growing population. This measure has been undertaken in a number of countries and even in India. Also, proper NGO's can be set up to pick up these unwanted dogs and make them available for adoption. People should be encouraged to adopt these street dogs instead of buying expensive dogs.

Rescuing A Stray Dog Is Quite Meaningful

Adopting a stray dog may not be for all dog owners. When adopting a puppy or rescue dog you want to keep in mind that the temperament of the dog may be aggressive with other dogs and people. However, with the proper dog training you will be able to train your new rescue dog to adjust to it's new home.

Ever wondered what happens to a stray dog you once witnessed being run over by a car or chased by street hawkers? Before you start ponder for an answer, here's the upfront answer. Nothing! Throwing a piece of a waffle or a cookie is the closest thing to a considerate thing that happens to them.

It is a common misconception to believe that adoption is the first step towards helping a stray dog. The practical solution is slightly different and includes a few pre-requisites before you can contemplate on adopting a stray dog. Rescuing the dog becomes the first step. Even if the step isn't as gracious as adopting, it is equally rewarding. There are many rescue dog shelters in the USA provide dogs for a small fee to the right owners.

The next time you encounter a stray dog that has either shown up in your neighborhood or was found in tight spot on the streets, make an important note to remember the first step – Rescue. Ensure that the dog is not injured or bruised. A very obvious hint is the possibility of whining if the poor dog is injured. Please note that stray dogs do not trust so easily. Barking or threatening to bite is a clear good sign for you to call the animal shelter and let the experts do the job. If you are already experienced with snares and dogs, then do what you must to rescue. Getting a stray dog off the street is the first step to rescuing it because the dog is prone to succumb to despicable horrors like fast cars and brutal dogs. More than the aforementioned factors, starvation alone can kill a dog.

If the dog is injured, restraining it should not be a major challenge. However, calling the nearest animal shelter and letting them know of your coordinates is. One has to be clear while explaining the routes. At the same time, keeping a clear eye on the dog is important, lest it should run away. Getting too close to an injured stray dog is not a good idea as it may sense this as an act of aggression and try to defend itself. Most importantly, if the dog is stuck in the middle of the road, it becomes the spectator's duty to jump into action and divert traffic. Of course, all this will seem quite obvious but in time of dire need and worst case scenarios, one can often forget to do the obvious.

On all probabilities, it is a safe bet to be prepared. Having a kit in your vehicle doesn't hurt. The basic animal kit should contain leashes, snares, heavy blankets, water, dog food and more. Dog food is a clever method to lure a dog and earn its good trust. Do not forget to add first-aid equipment along with the kit. Sooner or later, you will be required to use one or more of these equipment from the kit.

How To Take Good Care Of A Stray Dog

Have you adopted a stray dog that looked undernourished? Here's how to take the dog under your wing and nurse it back to health.

First, take the dog to a veterinarian. If the dog is reasonably healthy, have the veterinarian give him a Rabies vaccine. Never allow your veterinarian to give a vaccine to a sick animal or give several vaccines at the same time. Your veterinarian will examine the dog, check for parasites, and give medication if necessary. They will also check for infections, old injuries, and examine the condition of the dog's teeth. You will also find out if it is safe to handle the dog.

If the stray dog is very nervous or even slightly aggressive, get a closed-end muzzle for the dog. Then, brush or comb the dog to remove any parasites, preferably outdoors. If the veterinarian administers a spot-on treatment, don’t bathe the dog for at least 48 hours. To remove ticks, have the following ready: rubbing alcohol, tweezers, and paper towels. Settle the pup down and rub the alcohol on the ticks, then start plucking those nasty ticks off him. Be sure to dig the entire head of the tick out as well, because the tick may still survive. If the bites start to bleed, apply pressure on them with a paper towel. The bleeding will stop shortly. The dog may whine or wiggle if you hurt it, so soothe the animal by speaking softly and petting it.

A stray and neglected dog is almost always a hungry dog. When you take the animal to the vet, ask what kind of feeding schedule you should set up. Why? If the dog has a distended belly, and you over-feed it, you could twist its intestines and kill the poor animal. A hungry animal will devour a bucket full of food in a matter of minutes, so only set out small amounts every few hours. Be sure to provide the animal with clean, cold water as well.

After such a busy day–a change in environment, a trip to the vet, grooming, and a nice meal, allow the stray dog to catch up on some sleep. Humans need sleep to function properly and dogs are no different. Provide a soft blanket in a quiet corner and leave the animal alone to rest.

A stray dog has always been neglected; it searches for a loving and responsible pack. Make it feel loved and let it know that you will care for his future needs.
A stray dog loves it when you play with it. They also like it when you scratch them, it's like you're telling them, "you're safe with me", and so the dog will feel closer to you. You could also hug them and make them feel at home. But make sure the dog is clean and free from diseases because you might catch it yourself.

Always keep in mind that if you already have a dog, make sure your dog isn't in contact with the one you adopted until it has its set of vaccinations, and its behaviour is stable.

There Are Still Some Dangers Of Helping A Stray Dog

How many times have you seen a stray dog and wanted to take it home? How many times have you tried or succeeded in taking it home? We all feel bad for stray dogs, but there are some precautions that need to be taken before attempting to help one.

Just because a dog looks friendly, be cautious. Stray dogs can be very frightened of people. Some people are very cruel to stray dogs, and the dog may assume all people are that way. If the dog is in pain or is injured, he/she may bite out of fear, regardless how friendly he/she may be normally.

Dogs can't talk, right? Wrong! You just don't listen to us or rather, watch us. We communicate through body language. I'll translate for you. Panting, helicopter tail wagging, and ears up are usually signs of a dog that is happy to see you. A tight mouth, ears back, fur standing up, growling, and a stiff tail wag usually means "back off." This could mean the dog is scared or aggressive and could act on that.

Don't try to push the dog by putting your hands on him/her. Also, do not try to carry the dog unless it is very small and does not seem frightened or annoyed with you. A leash (or a make-shift leash) is your best option. If you put the dog in your car, you should use a crate.

Be aware of the fact that a stray dog has been outside without care for potentially a long time. He/she could be infested with fleas, worms, parasites, or any other illness, some of which are very contagious to other dogs. Do not put your own dogs in jeopardy.

If you want to keep the dog, take him/her directly to the vet and get an exam before going home. Regardless of what the vet says, clean your car, the crate, food/water dishes, blankets, or anything the dog touched before allowing your dog to use it. This also includes YOU! Your clothes, your shoes, your skin, anything the stray dog touched could be potentially harmful to your pup.

The dog may be a lost dog. Just because there is no collar does not mean he/she does not have a home. Collars and tags come off. Have the vet check for a microchip or a tattoo. Call local shelters, the police, or anyone that may be contacted when looking for a lost dog. You may also want to place an ad in the paper for a found dog.

What You Must Know If You Want To Adopt A Stray Dog

Every day people see stray dogs on the streets, wandering neighborhoods, and going from door to door begging for food. Fortunately, there are good hearted people who select to adopt them, bring them into their families, and give them a chance at a good life.

If you're considering adopting a stray dog, you should know that there are both challenges and rewards. Since you'll be bringing the dog into your home and family, it’s foremost to weigh both sides of it before you make a final decision.
One of the major challenges in adopting a homeless dog is not knowing its background. The dog could have been exposed to approximately anything, and you have no way of knowing before you adopt it. This can mean the dog has severe condition problems, and you won't know until you take the dog to the vet for an exam. Make sure you take the dog to the vet's office right away, and continue regular check ups to keep it healthy.

Another big challenge is his or her behavior. After living on the streets, many dogs revert back to wilder behavior, doing anyone they can to survive. This means they may be wary of humans, defensive, and not know “proper” behavior in a family setting. When you adopt a stray dog, you have to work to be extra diplomatic with it as you teach it how to socialize with humans.

Discipline goes along with behavioral problems a stray dog may have. Depending on how long the dog was on its own, it may have no discipline and not know what proper behavior is. While you're gentle, you must also be firm with the dog, and keep up the training, even if it's difficult. If the dog is an adult, it may be even harder to train, but patience, gentleness, and love will help.

Despite the challenges that come with adopting a stray dog, there are great rewards, as well. One of the most foremost is the chance to give a dog a chance at a good life. And, for many dogs, that second chance well means the inequity in the middle of life and death. Saving the life of a stray dog is a pretty big reward!

Another bonus to adopting a stray dog is the love and companionship of the pet. One of the big reasons people adopt dogs is for companionship and love. No matter what a dog’s background, if you continue to love it and are diplomatic with it, the dog will ultimately show you love and affection, as well.

Take Stray Dogs As "Man’s Best Friend"

Dog helped early humans to establish small colonies which eventually turned into early civilizations. Serbians from Bering Strait, Asian tribe like Athabascan and indigenous American tribes like  Apache and Navajo could not have possibly survived without the help of Dogs. Domestication of Dogs has also been recorded in the glowing history of Indus Valley Civilization.

We have studied that dog is a multipurpose animal turned into pet for more than 15000 years or so. Since then man is using dog as a security guard to home, farms and cattle, also as a friend and now even in assisting military and helping physically challenged people.

Hence, Dogs are very well known as “Man’s Best Friend” but perhaps dogs don’t know that humans are also known as “Most Selfish Creature”

Today’s Indian stray dog was once used to live proudly under the shelter of his owner who has suddenly left it abandoned, and made completely dependent on the leftovers thrown away on road side. What else could be a better way to show gratitude for whatever these “once pets” had done for human societies.

But now it’s too much. We certainly cannot take more of their howling and barking, their littering and shitting anywhere, spoiling the beauty of our cities, they can even attack us and they already did it many a times before. They are totally intolerable and annoying. So, the best way of getting rid of them is just stop feeding them till they disappear one day. We don’t care about what dogs did to our great great great grandpa’s great grand pa, why would we care? After all what is the use of uncivilized animals between civilized human society?

Clueless of what I am talking about? Let me confess, I used to believe what I wrote in the paragraph above. You can call me a merciless person but that’s what I always used to think of stray dogs till one day I saw three bulky men with iron rods tied with iron wires catching stray dogs on road. They were hunting these animals and quickly they succeeded in trapping one poor dog. That animal was unusually screaming and bleeding from his mouth, fighting with those lifeless wires and rods, finally he gave up himself to those proud he-mans.

According to the Humane Society, "4 million cats and dogs -- about one every eight seconds -- are put down in U.S. shelters each year." Several factors contribute to the burgeoning population of homeless pets: the economic crisis, the failure of pet owners to spay and neuter their cats and dogs, and lax puppy mill laws. Because shelters have so many animals to feed and protect, they are often unable to handle the volume. Pet lovers across the nation can help shelters and animal welfare organizations handle the crisis.

Consider your skills and availability. Are you a writer? Get involved with the fight for animal rights by drafting a letter or article to your local newspaper urging your fellow citizens to help the cause. Do you have experience in the legal field? The ASPCA urges volunteers with professional legal skills to aid shelters and animal welfare organizations by reviewing and challenging laws. Are you tech savvy? Creating a website for your local shelter will connect homeless pets to potential owners.

Visit your local shelter and volunteer. Depending on the shelter, you can contribute by either donating your time or money. Many shelters look for volunteers to help clean cages, dish out meals or socialize with the animals. Handymen are needed to help build or repair storage areas and cages. If you do not have time to volunteer, you can always donate money or items such as food or blankets.

Organize a fundraiser at your workplace or school. Even if you cannot donate to a shelter or organization, you can make an effort by helping to raise funds. Money collected, even in small amounts, from a group of people can make a big difference.

If you feel comfortable taking in a homeless pet, consider becoming a foster parent. Petfinder.com is a national website dedicated to matching homeless animals with their forever homes. Hundreds of shelters from across the nation advertise on the site, and many are looking for individuals with time, patience and knowledge to temporarily house homeless animals.

Adopting A Stray Dog Can Be A Very Rewarding Experience

Every day people see stray dogs on the streets, wandering neighborhoods, and going from door to door begging for food. Fortunately, there are good hearted people who choose to adopt them, bring them into their families, and give them a chance at a good life.

If you're considering adopting a stray dog, you should know that there are both challenges and rewards. Since you'll be bringing the dog into your home and family, it's important to weigh both sides of it before you make a final decision.

One of the major challenges in adopting a homeless dog is not knowing its background. The dog could have been exposed to almost anything, and you have no way of knowing before you adopt it. This can mean the dog has severe health problems, and you won't know until you take the dog to the vet for an exam. Make sure you take the dog to the vet's office right away, and continue regular check ups to keep it healthy.

We see a lot of stray dogs today being towed away by vans and trucks from the local dog pound. Some of them were unfortunate enough to become victims of speeding cars or even some kids who are looking for someone to vent their anger on. This is a very disconcerting sight for those who love these loyal canine companions.

If you are one of those that wants to give these stray dogs new homes and families to show them the love and affection they deserve, then you are in for a lot of effort in the project since people who are in need of loyal household companies are not quite visible in the community.

You can always go around the neighborhood and asking each and every homeowner in the area if they want to adopt one of your stray dogs to call their own, but this will take a lot of time and effort on your end to successful pull this off.
Another big challenge is his or her behavior. After living on the streets, many dogs revert back to wilder behavior, doing whatever they can to survive. This means they may be wary of humans, defensive, and not know "proper" behavior in a family setting. When you adopt a stray dog, you have to work to be extra gentle with it as you teach it how to socialize with humans (and other animals).

Discipline goes along with behavioral problems a stray dog may have. Depending on how long the dog was on its own, it may have no discipline and not know what proper behavior is. While you're gentle, you must also be firm with the dog, and keep up the training, even if it's difficult. If the dog is an adult, it may be even harder to train, but patience, gentleness, and love will help.

Despite the challenges that come with adopting a stray dog, there are great rewards, as well. One of the most important is the opportunity to give a dog a chance at a good life. And, for many dogs, that second chance literally means the difference between life and death. Saving the life of a stray dog is a pretty big reward!

Another reward to adopting a stray dog is the love and companionship of the pet. One of the big reasons people adopt dogs is for companionship and love. No matter what a dog's background, if you continue to love it and are gentle with it, the dog will eventually show you love and affection, as well.

By adopting a stray dog, you also help reduce the number of strays in the United States. Thousands and thousands of puppies are born to stray dogs every year. By adopting a stray dog (and having it spayed or neutered), you reduce the number of dogs that will eventually end up strays themselves.

Adopting a stray dog can be a very rewarding experience, but it does come with its challenges. If you're considering adopting a stray dog, be sure you fully understand all that comes with it. Adopting any dog can be challenging enough, but adopting a stray can come with added complications. However, the rewards are worth it, and the love you'll get from your rescued dog will help you forget all the challenges along the way!

Be Friends With A Stray Dog

You would have wanted to be friends with a dog that has been lost or looks scared to you in your neighborhood. However, before you do this, it is important that you know about the risks involved in doing so and different signs that dogs indicate in their own way.

This is for all you dog lovers; for I know that you are on this article because you are one. There is only one reason why you want to be friends with a stray dog and connect with them, it's because you love them. Follow the guidelines mentioned below and see if you can befriend a stray dog.

Dogs are highly social animals and they are believed to have been domesticated, way before donkeys, cows, horses and sheep were. Dogs are the most loved pets because, they behave, play and get trained, in such a way that they can very easily fit into the human household.

Read the Dog's Body Language

This is one of the most important things to do, when you are trying to be friends with a dog. His ears, tail, mouth and his eyes can tell you everything that a dog is thinking of at that time. You need to look for the following signs before approaching a dog.

A Calm and Relaxed Dog

A dog that is relaxed and friendly, his ears will be perked up or bent downwards, his eyes will be wide open, body will be in a normal posture, tail would be wagging and will be short-barking.

You can look at a dog and understand, what mood is the dog in. Don't immediately approach a stressed, aggressive and scared dog. But, a relaxed and a playful dog can be friends with you immediately.

An Aggressive and Stressed Dog

Usually, when a dog is under stress, his ears are down and pointing backwards or even pointing upright, his mouth would be wide open, rapid respiration, hunching forward and barking. Don't stroke them or try communicating with them when they are vulnerable. Also, never stare in his eyes at this time. A dog that has cornered himself, with head lowered and looks alert; he can also act aggressively. This is because his position indicates that he is scared and vulnerable at the moment and can attack you in his defense.

Let such dogs alone for sometime, they are in no mood to be friends with you right now.

Give Him Food

The best way to show a dog that you care is by giving him food. You can feed him with the following things.

    >Lunch Meat
    >Bone Meals
    >Grain by-products
    >Dog Biscuits

Give him a bone and the dog will never forget you, he will know in an instance that you love him. If he is aggressive or inhibited, give him food for two-three days without getting too close to him. Slowly, when he will start to recognize you, you can start communicating and playing with him.

Give Him Something to Play

Dogs are great companions for playing fun games. Play with him using a tennis ball, string or a Frisbee. Dogs love it! Dogs are playful by their very nature. Playing with a dog will help you both connect faster. Throw the ball or the Frisbee and indicate him to get it. It is best to get two toys, so that if he does not get the first one then, throw the second one to let him know you are playing with him.

Pat and Caress Him

Dogs long for a human touch and affection. They totally understand your touch. Pat them, it makes them feel secured, loved and pampered. They ask for just a few moments with you; give it to them; they'll be happy throughout and will be your friend forever.

Learn about dogs 'favorite petting bits'. Two things that dogs normally love are being massaged on their foreheads and behind their ears. Different dogs can have different sensitive points. You'll learn about them eventually. Right now just stick to massaging on their foreheads and behind their ears.

Dogs respond humanly. They understand and grasp words you tell them. Give him a name and call him with that name every time you give him food or you see him.

Slowly they will understand your gestures and commands and will respond spontaneously. There are different ways in which dogs show their affection.
One should also avoid touching dogs that appear to have skin infections or diseases as they can lead to irritations like itch and rashes on you. However if you are dog lover you can get the dog treated by a vet and give him healthy food with oral medicines mixed in it.

"In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn't merely try to train him to be semi-human. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog." - Edward Hoagland

Stray Dogs Attacked And Injured Around 15 People

Stray dogs attacked and injured around 15 people at Shalimar, Baghbanpura, Mughalpura and Daroghawala Area on Thursday. According to details, 15 men and women, including Yasmeen, Parveen, Salman, Babar, Tauseef, Junaid, Kashmir, Mushtaq, Shafiq, Shahbaz and Nasir, residents of Shalimar, Baghbanpura, Mughalpura and Daroghwala Area became victims of stray dogs while they were going somewhere. All victims who were attacked and injured by stray dogs were brought to Services Hospital by their relatives where doctors gave them antibiotic medicines in order to save them. Junaid, a victim, told Pakistan Today that he was heading back to his office located near Shalimar Gardens on a public van along with his friend. As the van stopped at Shalimar Gardens stop, he came out of the van and saw a group of dogs standing a few yards away.
“I thought that these stray dogs will not harm me but a stray dog attacked me and bit my leg”, Junaid said. He said that some local residents helped him in getting rid of the dog after which his friend hired a rickshaw and rushed him to Services Hospital in order to get first aid for rabies. Junaid said that after getting medication, he came to know that around 14 people had already been given treatment after stray dogs had attacked them.
 He said that according to hospital officials, all victims visited Services Hospital between 6pm and 9 pm on Thursday and belonged to Shalimar, Baghbanpura, Mughalpura and Daroghawala Area. An on-duty senior doctor at Services Hospital, seeking anonymity, said that they provided medical aid to more than one dozen men and women after they were attacked by stray dogs. He said that according to statements of patients, they all were attacked by one dog. The doctor said that a few patients were treated by the hospital staff until late night on Thursday.

Stray Dog At The Streets In India Is A Quite Difficult Life

When you read stories about Indian cities, you quite often hear that there are cows walking around everywhere. That is not exactly true! Yes, I have seen cows quite some time, but not that many and not that regularly. But one thing that is quite common to see in all Indian cities is the stray dogs. And this off course applies also to Mumbai. I do see in one news paper article that there are more than 70.000 stray dogs in Mumbai only.
Most often the dogs do you no harm. They just sleep or relax in the sun. In Hiranandani, close to where I live there have very recently been seen a few puppies. As you can see on the picture here, the mother so lazy that she even sleeps while she is giving her kids milk. These puppies have been taken quite good care of by the children in the area, and they have got milk and food given to them, which is quite nice to see. Otherwise I do think that being a stray dog at the streets in India is a quite difficult life.
On the first days in Mumbai I was a bit worried to actually step on these dogs, as tjey are quite difficult to spot when it is dark. Some of them might have diseases, so I really did not wanted to be bit. Luckily I have not done so yet, and now I think I’m more aware of them, so it should not be that much of a problem.
There are some problems with the dogs at the nights. When it is not that warm, they usually get to live and start to walk around to look for food. I remember coming home at 3 am once, and at that time it was not to nice to see the dogs lurking around my home.