Author’s Note — This Has Been My Life’s Work

From childhood, I learned to use food as a way of building bond and respect rather than dependency. Instead of dumping food, I carried biscuits or pellets on long walks, feeding tidbits along a one- or two-kilometer route, or around the colony. This simple adjustment changed everything. Dogs no longer saw me as an ATM machine dispensing salary once or twice a day; they saw me as a leader, a guide who engaged with them. They followed me, listened to me, and responded when called—even if they had started chasing someone.

This system created dogs that were not only protective of their colony but also controllable. They would ward off drunkards or petty criminals but would return to me when asked, preventing harm to innocent people. Such practices create trust not only between dogs and feeders, but also between feeders and the wider community, because residents see visible control and accountability.

Author’s Note — Why This Has Been My Life’s Work

My first bond with community dogs began when I was just 10–11 years old. Even at that young age, I noticed that when I interacted with the stray dogs in my neighbourhood using simple routines, predictable gestures, and calm boundaries, the chaos of the street would dissolve into cooperation and understanding. Those early discoveries of mutual respect and structure became the foundation of what has now evolved into many years of work with dogs, humans, and communities.

Decades later, I have worked with RWAs, pet parents, trainers, and caregivers across India—rehabilitating dogs from severe “red-zone” behaviour to stable, bite-free community members. Many of these dogs had histories as serious as mauling another animal or even injuring people, yet with structured systems they never repeated those behaviours.

This guide is a distillation of those decades of fieldwork—written for community feeders, RWAs, and animal caregivers who want to prevent bite incidents, reduce conflict, and create true coexistence with our beloved Indie dogs.

The starting point for any community is to take responsibility. Stray care is not only about dropping food; it is about accountability, structure, and compassion.

Indie or community dogs are often unfairly branded as aggressive or dangerous. These perceptions usually come from misunderstood behaviours. People complain of dog poop in public spaces, dogs chasing scooters, or barking at unfamiliar people. While these are real irritants, they are not insurmountable problems. Dog waste can be managed with proper clean-up systems, and chasing behaviour can be reduced with training and desensitisation.

It is important to understand who Indies are. They are semi-wild, semi-urban dogs—descendants of India’s ancient Pariah dogs who have over the decades interbred with foreign breeds like Labradors, Retrievers, Pomeranians, and even Huskies. This has created a diverse genetic pool, with dogs retaining survival instincts that have not been shaped by selective breeding. They are naturally territorial and have a strong prey drive—meaning fast-moving objects like squirrels, cats, or scooters can trigger them to chase. This does not mean they are inherently dangerous; it means they are responding to instinct.

The true danger, in my experience, lies in unchecked inbreeding. When sterilisation is ignored, siblings and relatives breed among themselves, producing unstable temperaments and highly reactive offspring. From my years of work, I can confidently say that most bite incidents involve inbred dogs rather than healthy Indies. This makes sterilisation not just an animal welfare necessity, but a public safety measure.

While feeding is an act of kindness, overfeeding without structure often creates more problems than it solves. In nature, a dog’s ecology requires it to work daily for survival—scavenging, sniffing, and hunting.

Conflict in colonies usually arises not because of the dogs themselves, but because of misunderstandings and lack of systems. Rule 20 of the Animal Birth Control Rules 2023, make it the responsibility of RWAs or local body representatives to ensure designation of adequate feeding zones/spots. Where a conflict arises between RWA/residents in this regard, the RWA must form an animal welfare committee to redress the situation. When RWAs and feeders work together, these conflicts can be diffused easily.

Residents quickly notice when dogs are calmer, quieter, and less of a disruption, and that changes sentiment.

The first step is a formal RWA–Feeder Pact: agreeing on

• Publish census with regular updates on sterilisation and vaccination progress.
• Designated feeding zones and times.
• Hygiene responsibility and poop-clean policies.
• Monthly training sessions with a canine behaviourist can teach residents how to respond to dogs calmly instead of with fear. Most friction points can be solved with simple systems.

Dog attacks are rare, but they become headlines. To manage them, we must understand the triggers: territorial defense, resource guarding, maternal instinct, pain, fear, and above all inbreeding.

Here are some tips:

• Stay calm. Don’t scream or run.
• Stand firm. Face them and hold your ground.
• Look bigger. Straighten up, widen posture.
• Use water. Splash if dogs come within 2–3 feet — this usually makes them back off and is most humane under the circumstances.
• Do not use sticks or stones. They don’t scare dogs and can cause the dog to react defensively, making the situation worse.

Dogs signal their intent through body language:

If there is a Bite Incident:

• Wash wound for 15 mins with soap and water.
• Apply antiseptic, seek rabies vaccine.
• Place dog under vet observation.

Reset the zone where bite occurred:

The site of the bite should also be reset—feeding paused, then resumed under supervision, with daily counter-conditioning to desensitize the dogs to whatever triggered the incident. With consistency, even red-zone spots can be stabilized. The key is not panic, but protocol.

The views and opinions expressed in the articles and blogs on this website are solely those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views, opinions, or positions of Blue Cross of Hyderabad.

To us, the world is a visual place. We notice colour, shape, and light before anything else. But for a dog, the world is defined not by sight, but by scent. Imagine being able to “see” what happened a few hours ago, who passed by your door, or where your neighbour went for breakfast—just by sniffing the air. That’s the gift of the canine nose.

Scentwork, or nosework, taps into this extraordinary sensory ability. It’s a structured activity where dogs use their noses to identify and locate specific scents, often for a reward or simply for the joy of doing so. While it’s long been an integral part of professional dog work worldwide, scentwork is also gaining popularity among pet parents as a powerful, enriching activity for dogs of all breeds, ages, and backgrounds.

Across continents and cultures, dogs have been essential partners in tasks that demand a finely-tuned nose. In search and rescue operations, for example, trained dogs can locate survivors buried under earthquake rubble or lost in remote forests, relying purely on scent signatures. They can pick up human scent from miles away—even underwater.

In airports and border zones, canine units sniff out narcotics, explosives, and smuggled contraband, working swiftly and precisely under high-stakes conditions. In war zones, dogs are often deployed to detect IEDs, saving countless lives through their silent, focused work.

One of the most unexpected examples of their abilities came in recent years during the global COVID-19 pandemic. In airports across Finland, the UAE, and parts of Europe, trained dogs were deployed to screen passengers for COVID-19. The dogs didn’t need blood samples or throat swabs. Instead, they sniffed sweat samples or the air around a person and could detect the virus with astonishing accuracy—often faster than rapid antigen tests and almost on par with PCR tests.

What’s most astonishing is that dogs were able to detect asymptomatic cases—something even advanced diagnostic tools sometimes miss. Researchers believe dogs can pick up on subtle metabolic changes in a person’s body odour caused by the virus. This once again affirmed what dog lovers have always known: their noses operate on a level far beyond our comprehension.

Scentwork is also revolutionizing wildlife conservation. Detection dogs in parts of Africa help track rhino poachers. In India and Southeast Asia, they help researchers monitor elusive animals like tigers, elephants, and pangolins by identifying scat and scent trails. Their noses help protect endangered species in ways technology still struggles to replicate.

What’s incredible is that this nose, that is capable of detecting a single drop of blood in an Olympic-sized pool belongs to the same species curled up on your couch.

While the world often admires working dogs—think German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers and Malinois—the benefits of scentwork aren’t limited to these high-drive breeds. Pet dogs, especially our beloved Indian pariah dogs (Indies), have just as much olfactory brilliance and stand to gain just as much, if not more, from scent games.

Indies, in particular, are genetically wired for survival. Their lineage is tied to street life, where every meal, every safe space, had to be sniffed out. This makes their sense of smell not only acute but deeply connected to how they process the world. Unfortunately, many Indies who are adopted into loving homes don’t get enough outlets to use this ability. Scentwork provides that missing stimulation in a safe, fun, and constructive way.

For purebred pet dogs too—be it a bored Golden Retriever, a destructive Beagle, or an anxious Husky—introducing scent games can reduce behavioural issues, boost confidence, and deepen the bond between dog and guardian. It’s not about making your pet a detection expert; it’s about helping them be more of what they naturally are.

One of the most underestimated aspects of scentwork is its mental impact. A few minutes of nosework can tire a dog out more than a brisk walk. Why? Because scenting taps into instinctive behaviour and requires concentration, decision-making, and memory. Dogs have to sort through smells, filter distractions, and work out where the target scent is coming from.

It’s an ideal exercise for senior dogs, pups recovering from surgery, or dogs who may not be physically able to run or jump.

And it’s an equalizer—it doesn’t matter whether your dog is fast, strong, or obedient. What matters is the nose.

You don’t need fancy equipment or professional training to introduce scentwork at home. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

These games can be adapted and made progressively harder. The key is to let your dog lead with their nose and to celebrate effort, not perfection.

In a world of leashes, commands, and expectations, scentwork offers dogs something rare—freedom. Not the kind where they run away, but the kind where they run inward, into their instincts. It’s not about teaching them something new; it’s about allowing them to be who they already are.

So, the next time your dog pauses to sniff the ground a little longer, don’t rush them. That’s not wasted time—it’s their version of reading the news, solving a puzzle, or writing a story in the air.

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.

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