WHY WE CHOSE TO ADOPT AN INDIE PUPPY: PERSONAL STORY OF RESCUE

“Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.”

Karen Davison

Since, a long time after we adopted our Indie cats from an acquaintance, I had a budding ache in my heart for a dog to add joy to our lives. One day while surfing through Instagram account of Caspers’s Home Shelter in Agra, I came across a post which both alarmed and pained me. On a cold November morning, a litter of 16 puppies were stuffed in an old, tattered leather bag and thrown on the roadside to starve and die. The amount of apathy a human heart can hold was shocking. Could this really be true? A quick message to the shelter confirmed this sad news. It was then that we decided, yes! we will adopt one of the puppies.

Mishti, our female indie was adopted by us when she was merely 20 days old. A couple of other puppies 5-6 were adopted by few kind-hearted people. However, many were left without loving homes. As much as this story sounds simple to begin with the real work begins after adoption.  

Living with a rescued pet

The doctor checked her for any injuries, advised to keep her warm as she was very young and it would be very difficult for her to survive the coming winter months without the warmth of her birth mother. He advised to feed puppy milk replacer only and to not bathe untill she was atleast 3 months old as the immunity levels of puppies is very low and coupled with cold temperatures it could be fatal. Instead wet wipes using warm water can be used to clean puppies. He also drew a vaccination and deworming schedule. Her first vaccination would be at around 45 days old. You can see more details about essential dog vaccinations here.

Mishti at 20 days old. She had opened her eyes, but could barely walk and would often fall. Care needs to be taken to keep puppies warm using blankets and cushions, avoid keeping them on higher surfaces like bed or sofa as they can fall down from the edge instead place them in a tray / tub / crate which is lined with a thick warm cloth.

Being new pet parents, we had no clue about puppy care ans we felt much alike to first time parents of new born babies. There were some accidents and some minor inconviences. For example, when puppies are on a liquid diet of only milk, they frequently pee but poop only once in 2 or 3 days. I was very nervous when after 2 days Mishti did not poop. My maid reasssured me saying all will be fine and give it another day as babies on liquid diet poop less frequenntly. So, finally on the third day we saw the miracle yellow poop which cofirmed that all was well with her health and our feeding. What a relief!

Days passed, Mishti grew and we grew up with her. There’s nothing better in this world than seeing a full bellied puppy sleep after slurping on milk.

One of the most important things was introducing Mishti to her older siblings, i.e. our cats Loki (male) and Thor (female). There are very few pet parenting guide books available for help and support, on the other hand first – time parents of new born babies receive ample help and support for peers, family, elders, literature and media. For our fur babies we had depend heavily on google searches, youtube videos of trainers and our own conscience. When introducing a new pet, especially a baby to older pets at home one has to be very careful and patient. There are several factor like, territorial attitude, food guarding, jealousy, unfamiliarity with other species, the newness of another animal’s scent and pure animal instincts which can result in either healthy interactions or a complete mess.

Mishti was slowly introduced to Loki and Thor over a period of 4 weeks. In the begining Mishti was kept in a seperate room and one of us slept with her. Slowly, we took her blankets and made the cats smell it. Curious by nature our cats wanted to known who the new family member was. We allowed small interactions of a couple of minuted under closed supervision. Finally after 4 weeks Mishti was shifted to the same room (bedroom) as the cats. However, she was kept in a closed crate during the night which was cushioned with blankets.

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During the growing phase all puppies go through mouthing phase. It is imortant to remeber to use treats to train your puppy to not bite your hands, clothes, furniture and other important things. Positive reinforcement can work as a wonderful tool to help strengthen your relationship with your puppy. We should avoid playing with our fingers and hands and also discourage biting the hands. Instead buy lots of chew toys (ruvver / cloth / jute) and encourage your puppy to chew on yoys only.

Puppies have a small bladder due to which they cannot hold their pee and poop for long time. Thus, it is very important to teach your puppy where to pee. Using disposable pee pads / re-usable pee pads is a great way to pee train at home.

• “Puppy Biting: How to Stop a Puppy from Nipping and Biting” – American Kennel Club
• How to Pee and Potty Train your Puppy at Home
• “Crate Training a Puppy: Tips for Success” – VCA Animal Hospitals

Leash training is a fundamental skill for puppies to learn, ensuring they can walk safely and enjoyably with their owners. A well-leash-trained puppy is less likely to dart into traffic, approach aggressive animals, or get lost. Leash training helps to maintain control and keep your puppy safe from potential hazards. When a puppy is on a leash, it’s easier to manage and facilitate positive interactions with other dogs and people, promoting healthy social behaviors and reducing the likelihood of aggressive responses.

Positive reinforcement is a fundamental training technique that involves rewarding a dog for desired behavior, thereby increasing the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated. This approach is widely regarded as one of the most effective and humane ways to train dogs, including puppies.

Mishti had started wearing a ribbon around her neck when she was around 1 month old. Gradually, we shifted to small sized cat collar made of soft cloth for her. Mishti’s in-door leash training began when she was around 3 months old. Some of the tips I learnt was to tie a small rope to her collar and just let her move around the house with that leash – like thing around her neck. A puppy will slowly get used to the sound of the leash and its presence around her. Further when she turned around 3-4 months old we started taking her outdoors on small trips for poo and pee training. But it was not untill 1 year old that Mishti fully grasped the concept of pooping outside the hope. In-between there were several small accidents of pooping in the house, either her rebellious nature or stomach upset or no bladder control or laziness of her parents to take her outside. However difficult it get we must always remember that positive reinforcement is the key ! Also, parents need to become punctual in taking puppies outside for pooping. Sometimes, with a change of home (when we went to visit some relatives and stayed at their place), puppies forget the pee and poop training. During such times, we need to start again from the scratch and remember to use treats for positive reinforcement.

• How to Leash Train Your Puppy
• How I Stopped My Dog From Pulling on the Leash
• How To Teach a Puppy To Walk on a Leash

Emergence of adult teeth, which total 42, start replacing the milk teeth. This can be a painful period, leading to increased chewing and discomfort. Be patient! Give toys to chew and when the going gets tough, please take a timeout and place your puppy in its comfortable crate instead of tying away the dog in the balcony. Removing the puppy from infront of our eyes may cause seperation anxiety. Instead let them be in your presence at a safe distance and enjoy a breathing time.

Around 6 to 8 months of age Mishti started showing signs of having her first period. Her vulva started to swell and red coloured blood like deposition started appearing around her vulva. Although there was nothing to be alarmed. Female dogs start more frequently licking their vulva and clean any bloody discharge during their heat cycle. For your comfort you can use dog period panties.

 

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Birthday Girl at her 1 year birthday bash. Still growing up and going strong!

Conclusion: The Essentials of Basic Pet Parenting for Puppies

Raising a puppy is a rewarding journey filled with joy, love, and the occasional challenge. By understanding and embracing the essentials of pet parenting, we can ensure that our puppy grows into a healthy, well-behaved, and Some important things to take away are:

1. Proper Nutrition: Feed your puppy a balanced diet suited to their age, size, and breed. Quality nutrition supports growth, development, and overall health.
2. Regular Veterinary Care: Schedule routine vet visits for vaccinations, check-ups, and preventative care. Early detection and treatment of health issues are vital.
3. Exercise and Mental Stimulation: Provide daily physical activities and mental challenges to keep your puppy active and engaged. Also establish clear rules and commands. This promotes physical fitness and helps prevent behavioral problems.
4. Positive Reinforcement: Use rewards and praise to encourage good behavior and make training a positive experience. Avoid punishment, which can lead to fear and aggression.
5. Socialization: Expose your puppy to different people, places, and experiences to build confidence and reduce anxiety. Well-socialized puppies are more adaptable and less likely to develop behavioral issues.
6. Safe Environment: Puppy-proof your home to prevent accidents and keep harmful objects out of reach. Provide a safe space where your puppy can rest and feel secure.
7. Leash Training and Supervision: Teach your puppy to walk on a leash and supervise them during outdoor activities to ensure their safety.
8. Addressing Teething and Chewing: Provide appropriate chew toys to help with teething discomfort and prevent destructive chewing habits.
9. Patience and Compassion: Raising a puppy requires patience, as they learn and grow at their own pace. Approach challenges with empathy and understanding.
10. Lifelong Care: Remember that bringing a puppy into your life is a long-term commitment. Your puppy will rely on you for care, love, and companionship throughout their life.

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Further Reading and Resources

• American Kennel Club: Puppy Care: Essential Tips for New Pet Parents
• ASPCA: Puppy Basics: Training Your Puppy
• PetMD: Comprehensive Guide to Puppy Care
• Humane Society: Tips for Responsible Pet Ownership