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Taming a Feral Dog in the Wild

Taming the feral dog is never an easy proposition; however, attempting to bring the dog to you while it is in its natural environment is going to present a whole new set of challenges. In this case it is very much a matter of taking the most direct path to the animal’s heart-in this case, going directly through its stomach.

Do you remember how your mother always told you not to feed a stray animal because it would just keep coming around looking for food? This si the approach that you are going to have to take with your feral friend. If you hope to lure it away from the wild and into the lap of domestication you are going to need to provide it with some incentive-in this case, easy food. Remember that the feral dog is not used to eating commercial dog food, either dried or canned, and therefore is probably not going to be attracted to it. You are going to have to purchase some form of meat, preferably beef or pork, to lure the animal in.

Cook the meat lightly, just enough to ensure that it could not possibly be contaminated, and place it on the edge of your property farthest away from the house. The dog will probably not come near the food while you are outside, so place the food out only when you are done for the day. Repeat this process for a couple of weeks. After the dog is comfortable with the fact that the food is going to be there you can begin slowly placing the meat closer to the house. Remember to do this in small increments-you do not want to scare it away.

Regardless of how close to civilization it may live, the dog is not going to be comfortable with having someone else provide its food and is still going to distrust men of all natures.

Over time you should be able to convince the dog to come close enough to the house that you can easily see it from some point in your yard. Begin to make it a point to be outside when the food is, but do not get too close and do not make it obvious that you are watching the dog. Hopefully in time you will be able to convince the dog to come into the yard to eat while you are present. From here, the next step is going to be attempting to convince the dog to allow you to touch it. This is going to be much more difficult than convincing it to eat, and you are going to meet with failure long before you have any success.

Begin by approaching it as it has finished eating and offering it an additional piece of meat from your fingers. It will probably refuse you, so stay for a short period of time before tossing the offering and walking away. Repeat this process daily. In time the dog should begin willingly taking the meat from your hand, and as it is eating you can extend your hand for it to sniff. After it willingly sniffs your hand you can attempt to touch the dog lightly, preferably near the head where it can see what you are doing.

Watch the dog carefully when you are attempting that first touch; feral dogs are as likely to bite as to run when you first attempt contact. If the animal begins to seem uncomfortable at any stage you should withdraw immediately. In time, the dog will come to trust you and, although it will probably never become truly comfortable with domestic life, it will come to be your companion as you are out of doors and, hopefully, to associate your home as its home as well. For many feral dogs this is the best that you will be able to hope for.

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