Chapter 1. Did the Animal Activist Fail in Her Mission?
Chapter 2. A Volunteer with Passion Is worth 40 Merely Interested.
Chapter 3. The Looters Attacked the Pack Leader.
Chapter 4. If Only We Can Turn Back the Clock for the Pack Leader...
Chapter 5. NANAS. Swamp Dogs Saved From Lethal Injections.
Whining and noisy past midnight for 3 nights
If the first-time owner knew how to handle a whining puppy, life would be so much different and better for him to stay in Singapore, but...see story below...
Extracts from a letter to Dr Sing
Bobby was born on August 9th, 2005, the (Singapore) National Day in the side house facing the fishing pond. He was the only survivor out of 7 puppies. The rest of the puppies just disappear within weeks after they were born.
We first saw Bobby on August 21, 2005. That was our first trip to the fishing pond. We adopted Bobby when he was only 6 weeks old as this was the only way to save him. But at my apartment, he often cried and made a lot of noise for 3 nights until our neighbour complained. We had no choice but to return Bobby back to the fishing pond.
By June 2007, the military wanted the land and the fishing pond back by not renewing the tenancy. The old couple's daughter-in-law went to check with an animal shelter about rehoming the dogs. She was told that the dogs especially mongrels would not be put up for adoption. The animal shelter had limited kennel spaces and there were too many of these cross-bred dogs in Singapore. The solution is that animal shelter personnel would come and pick up 6 dogs at at time for a few times. The dogs would be put to sleep.
It was by chance that I only know about NANAS (Noah's Ark Natural Animal Sanctuary) on February 24, 2007 at the animal shelter. A Schnauzer Cross entered my apartment. My door was open. It was the first day Chinese New Year and my relatives were around. I asked neighbours upstairs, downstairs and nearby blocks but had no luck finding its owner.
February 24, 2007 was the day I surrendered the dog to the animal shelter. The dog was not friendly to the staff. It also peed and pooped on me as I was carrying it. The animal shelter staff said that this dog would be put to sleep within 24 hours or earlier if it bit any of the staff.
Some members of the public viewing the dogs for adoption there came to check why this Schnauzer Cross was howling away and struggling when the staff tried to scan it to detect a microchip. A couple heard my discussion about rehoming and mentioned NANAS. That was how I managed to find Lynda Goh for help.
(The write spent past 2 years with Bobby at the fishing pond. The family went there to fish. Bobby would rush to welcome them.
After Bobby's tail was hacked and then amputated, the writer took him home. But the Schnauzer Cross barked all the time when Bobby there. Another dog did not bother about Bobby. So, Bobby had to join his pack at NANAS).
HOW TO HANDLE WHINING PUPPIES FOR FIRST 3 NIGHTS?
As there is no way to turn back the clock for Bobby, I write the following for those who adopt or buy puppies and face noisy ones for the first few nights. The following tips may be useful:
1. Ignoring the puppy is one way. But that has to be done by all family members.
There should be nobody going to the puppy when it whines or barks.
2. Crate the puppy and put in your bedroom. Cover the crate with a blanket.
3. If not possible, switch on the light, radio or put a clock next to the puppy at night. This may or may not work.
4. Sleep beside the puppy at night for the first few nights.
5. Get a towel from previous owner/breeder for the puppy to smell and feel safe.
6. Cover up all sides of the crate so that the puppy feels safe.
7. Put the puppy in a boarding kennel for 3 - 7 nights. In many cases, the puppy quietens on returning home.
TIPS TO STOP PUPPIES BARKING
Best time to train is when the puppy is young. But you must know why the puppy barks. Below are the common situations:
1. Bark to ask you to wake up past midnight to change the soiled newspapers inside the crate during the first week. If you can't get up, the puppy may continue barking.
Some first-time owners get up and gave the puppy a spanking or shouting. They don't know that they have to change the soiled papers, thinking that the neighbours will be upset at this noise nuisance. Some owners change the papers and the barking stops. Do not play with the puppy. Just change and go to sleep. The tone of bark sounds different.
2. Boredom. The more he barks, the more attention he gets. So he barks more.
3. To let you know that someone or something is unusual.
4. Greeting you.
Train him not to bark when you are at home:
1. Find a situation where your dog will always bark. For example, a person knocks on the door or rings a door bell. Somebody walking past the apartment.
2. When your rushes to the door and bark loudly, go to your dog, grab his collar and give him the command “quiet” in a firm voice.
3. If he stops barking, praise and reward him with food treats and a pat.
4. If he continues barking, gently close his mouth with your hand, wrap your fingers around his muzzle and say “quiet”. Some owners spank their hand at the same time and it can be quite effective.
Praise and reward him with food treats if he stops. Most dogs will be able to learn the “quiet” command with repeated training as described above.
5. Get a friend to knock the door etc. and repeat the training for around 5-10 minutes. Praise and reward are important. Soon the puppy is trained.
For older or rescued dogs, it is very difficult in some cases. If you spend time training, chances of success are high.
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