How to Care for a Pet Dingo

Although dingoes are thought of as purely wild dogs, they have been kept as companions since before Europeans settled in Australia. In fact, one aboriginal name for the dingo is “tingo,” which translates as “tame.” A pet dingo can require more effort than the average dog, but they will reward you with an intense bond and an uncanny sense of responsibility as a member of your family.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Large fenced yard
• Harness and leash
• High quality dog kibble

1. Recognize that dingoes are not fully domesticated. Your pet dingo still has many wild behaviors and instincts. For example, dingoes have a flight instinct, rather than a fight instinct. If a dingo is frightened or threatened, she will bolt. Additionally, many pet dingoes exhibit a desire to hunt, which can be problematic.

2. Train your pet dingo well. If you do not train your dingo early, he may be very difficult to train and can become unruly. Enroll your pet in a series of obedience classes from puppyhood until you are certain that he understands commands and will listen to them.

3. Feed your dingo a high-quality dog kibble as her main diet. Your pet has the same nutritional requirements as any dog, so creating a healthy diet for her will be easy.

4. Provide plenty of outdoor exercise. As a somewhat wild creature, your pet dingo will need a large fenced area to play in. Do not chain your dingo and do not keep him as an apartment pet. These situations will create a depressed dingo.

5. Walk your dingo on leash when you are in a public area, even at off-leash dog parks. Keeping your dingo on leash is always the safest option because of her flight and hunting instincts. Some dingoes can do well off leash, but this can be dangerous.

Tips & Warnings

• People may have a negative reaction to your dingo because many stereotypes surround this breed. Rather than arguing, just point out your dingo’s wonderful qualities. You may be able to create new appreciation for this unique breed!
• If you decide to take your dingo to group obedience classes, you may not want to share the fact that she is a dingo—until after the instructor and participants get to know her.
• Neuter your male dingo. Male dingoes become very restless during mating season, and neutering will allow them to lead a more satisfied life.
• Though dingoes are not aggressive, they are not appropriate pets for children.
• Never take a dingo from the wild. This is both dangerous and illegal.

Resources

• Find out more about dingoes at the Dingo Sanctuary website.

[wiseowl00]

on 11/8/2008 To have any hope of successfully raising a dingo or dingo hybrid as a pet you must establish leadership. Leadership is not established by force, aggression or bullying with any dog and definitely will not work with a dingo. You need to convince the dingo (any dog actually) that you are a worthy pack leader by understanding and working their natural instincts.
Because of the length of the breeding season and the behavioural changes associated with it, both male and female dingoes/hybrids should be neutered.
http://dingo.alphadog.net.au/