Indie dogs are rapidly gaining popularity as pets among dog lovers. These resilient, intelligent, and adaptable dogs have roamed the streets of India for centuries, thriving in diverse environments. Unlike purebred dogs, Indies are naturally evolved, making them hardy, low-maintenance, and well-suited to the Indian climate. Their sharp instincts, loyalty, and affectionate nature make them wonderful companions when given the right care and understanding. However, bringing home an Indie dog comes with unique considerations.

Whether you’re adopting a rescued street dog or bringing home an Indie puppy, here are a few essential things to keep in mind to ensure a smooth transition and a happy life for your new companion.

Indie dogs are super smart

These dogs, having lived a life on the streets tend to be amazingly clever. As a trainer, some of the smartest dogs I’ve ever worked with have been Indies – they learn quickly, are intelligent and great fun to train. But as with any smart dog, they need mental challenges to keep them happy. They don’t want to sit around all day. They want a job, a challenge, a reason to wake up every day. Make sure you give them that

Give them their freedom

One of the main issues I see with adopted Indies is that many find life in an apartment stifling. This leads to problems where the dogs can get restless, develop behaviour issues and be unhappy in the home. A good way to tackle this is to recognise that these dogs have a strong primal side. So, teach your dog a sturdy recall and then take them outdoors for hikes, romps in fields, allow zoomies on beaches. Whilst all breeds of dogs would love to connect with nature, Indie dogs love their freedom and need it more than others.

Not all Indies are low maintenance

Many people bring home Indies thinking they will be easier and cheaper than pedigreed dogs, but that is not always the case. Even though most of them are hardy, easy to groom, rarely fall sick and fun to train, Indies will need to be trained, taught manners, helped with behaviour issues, given mental and physical exercise and cared for when sick. So, if you are not ready to make the commitment, think twice before bringing home an Indie, or any dog for that matter.

Indie dogs can have behaviour issues

A lot of these dogs have lived on the streets, struggled with fears, are territorial to other dogs, have a strong chase instinct or a distrust of strangers and have strong feral instincts which will not disappear when the dog moves into your home. When you bring home an Indie, understand that you will need to help your dog with behaviour issues. If you see an issue in your dog, its best to address it early and prevent it from growing. Many of these dogs are nervous or skittish when they first come home, patience and behaviour training can help them overcome their fears.

An Indie dog will behave because he is grateful for a home

That is the biggest fallacy I’ve heard when it comes to Indie dog adoptions. People assume that because they have given the dog a home and love, in gratitude, the dog will not display behaviour issues, not need to be trained, will behave without being taught, and not pee on your bed at night. People need to stop humanising the situation and understand that all dogs have needs of their own and even if the dog is grateful for a home, he cannot help be a dog.

Start as you mean to go on

New pet parents will often feel sorry for a rescued dog and so may initially take time off work to help him settle in, going for long walks and spending extra time with the dog. But when they finally go back to work, the dog will get distressed with the abrupt change in routine. A newly adopted dog is often very insecure in a new environment.  It is your job to build his confidence and convince him that he and you are here to stay. Indies find comfort and stability in a fixed routine, so try and keep your and his daily activities as consistent as possible. It will help him adjust quickly to his new home and teach him that he can depend on you.

Lay down the rules

Ground rules need to be implemented from the moment the dog walks through the door. If you don’t want your new pet soiling the sofa, jumping on the kids or stealing food off the table later down the road, then don’t allow these behaviours from the very beginning. A lot of people believe that a dog from a shelter or the streets will have been abused, not fed properly, confined in a small space and generally unhappy. So when a family adopts the dog, they feel sorry for the animal and try to make up for his past by allowing the animal to do as it pleases in the first few days. This is a big mistake. You cannot and should not compensate for his past by allowing him to run riot in your new home. Rules should be laid down from day one and maintained kindly, but firmly.

So what rules should one lay down?

  • Give your dog a bed of his own and encourage him to sleep there, avoid allowing him onto your bed or the furniture.

  • When the family is having a meal, avoid feeding the dog, it will only encourage him to beg at the table.

  • Encourage your dog to accept grooming and bathing as a fun activity.

  • Any games you play with your dog should be in your control. Teach your dog to give up a toy when you ask for it. Playing games, such as Tug-of-War, which pit a dog’s strength against the owner’s should mostly be won by the pet parent.  Put away the toys when you have finished playing with your dog. Dogs seldom play with toys in isolation, unless it is a game of destruction. Give your dog a bone chew to keep him occupied, but under your observation.

And finally, it is important to emphasise that the joys of sharing your home with an Indie dog far outweigh any problems that you may face. Be patient, kind and consistent with your new dog, train him to be an obedient pet and shower lots of love and praise when your dog is good. Most of all be prepared to give and receive more love, affection and loyalty than you ever thought possible!

Shirin Dhabar is the founder of Canines Can Care (estd. 1998), India’s first organization dedicated to innovative canine training and activities, pioneering the use of assistance dogs and search and rescue dogs in the country. With over 30 years of experience in dog training and behaviour, she has successfully assisted dog owners in India, England, and Sri Lanka since 1995, addressing a wide range of behavioural issues, including aggression, anxiety, and compulsive behaviours. Accredited by the Kennel Club of England Accreditation Scheme for Trainers (KCAI) in Companion Dog Training and Behavioural Training, she is one of only nine individuals globally to hold this distinction. Follow her on Instagram @shirin.dogtraining