Domestic or Community Dogs
Categories of Dogs
There is confusion with the terms used to categorize dogs. Dogs can be classed by whether they possess an owner or a community of owners, how freely they can move around, and any genetic differences they have from other dog populations due to long-term separation
1
Owned Dogs or Family Dogs
Owned dogs are "family" dogs. They have an identifiable owner, are commonly socialized, and are not allowed to roam. They are restricted to particular outdoor or indoor areas. They have little impact on wildlife unless going with humans into natural areas.
2
Free-ranging owned dogs
A free-ranging dog is a dog that is not confined to a yard or house. Free-ranging owned dogs are cared for by one owner or a community of owners, and are able to roam freely. This includes "village dogs", which live in rural areas and human habitations.
These are not confined. However, they rarely leave the village vicinity. This also includes "rural free-ranging dogs", which also live in rural areas and human habitations. These are owned or are associated with homes, and they are not confined. These include farm and pastoral dogs that range over particular areas
3
Feral Dogs - Stray Dogs
Feral dogs differ from other dogs because they did not have close human contact early in their lives (socialization). Feral dogs live in a wild state with no food and shelter intentionally provided by humans and show a continuous and strong avoidance of direct human contact. A dog can become a stray when it escapes human control, by abandonment or being born to a stray mother. A stray dog can become feral when it is forced out of the human environment or when it is co-opted or socially accepted by a nearby feral group. Feralization occurs by the development of a fear response to humans.
What is socialization?
When we say a dog is “socialized” we mean she is accustomed to and enjoys companionship with people. To socialize a cat means to acclimate her to human touch, human spaces, and human sights, smells, and sounds. It’s a process that’s influenced by many factors of a dog’s life and takes time and effort from compassionate people.
Feral dogs differ from other dogs because they did not have close human contact early in their lives (socialization). Feral dogs live in a wild state with no food and shelter intentionally provided by humans and show a continuous and strong avoidance of direct human contact. The distinction between feral, stray, and free-ranging dogs is sometimes a matter of degree, and a dog may shift its status throughout its life. In some unlikely but observed cases, a feral dog that was not born wild but lived with a feral group can become rehabilitated to a domestic dog with an owner.
What to Do if You Find a Sick or Injured Dog
1. Keep calm and assess the situation
Sick or injured dogs may be frightened and in pain and may bite or scratch – even the most gentle animal may become unpredictable. Being loud or stressed will also stress them out and could make their condition worse. Do not hug or cuddle the animal as this could also be dangerous to you or them.
Be aware of anything that could endanger your own life - water, roads etc.
2. Contact a vet
Based on the severity of illness or injury, a dog might need to be placed in a long-term holding area for recovery. Whether that recovery is done in your home or the veterinary clinic, plan beforehand so you don’t have to scramble at the last minute.
Connect with your veterinarian and ask if they would be willing to house the cat during recovery, or for advice on how to create the best possible recovery space in your home.
3. Do not feed or give medication to the dog unless instructed
This in case sedation or anaesthesia is required. In general it is never a good idea to feed an animal prior to a vet visit. The animal can be offered water.
This can be very dangerous and can complicate the picture for several reasons. What is given could be toxic (eg half a 500mg tablet could cause toxicity or death in a dog) or could react with drugs we might want to give. Many human drugs are not appropriate for usage in animals. Previously prescribed veterinary medications should not be given without speaking to your vet as they may be inappropriate to in the animal's current condition.
Trapping Sick or Injured Dogs
Setting a Humane Trap
Trapping a dog can be an effective way to catch a skittish or scared lost dog. But it's essential to fully understand how to trap a dog before you get started.
Most importantly, you want to make sure that you monitor the trap adequately.
You'll need a humane trap that is large enough that the dog's whole body can fit inside before the trap shuts. If the trap injures the dog or allows it to escape, it'll be harder for them to go into another trap again
Important tips on selecting a humane dog trap
Most important: make sure that the trap you select is big enough! Your dog’s entire body should fit inside the trap before they step on the trip plate (i.e. the trigger that closes the door). If the trap is too small, the trap door may close on your dog’s back end and allow them to escape. Some dogs will stretch their body out to try and reach the bait without fully entering the trap, so longer traps are generally better.
Pick a dog trap made of quality materials. It may be tempting to buy a cheap trap, but these are more likely to bend or break. Dogs have been known to break out of cage traps occasionally.
Not a necessity, but a sliding rear release door makes baiting the trap and releasing wildlife so much easier. However, I do not recommend traps with two trap doors.
Make Sure You Know What You Are Doing!
Obtaining a trap is only part of catching a lost or stray dog. Make sure that you know what you are doing. You want to select the proper location, set the trap up correctly, and bait it properly. Most importantly, you want to make sure that you monitor the trap adequately. Failure to do these things may reduce the chances of catching your dog. And worst case, could result in injury or death or your dog or another animal.