Fostering a dog

iluvmybeaglesbark

Hello! I was wondering what went onto fostering dogs. I am really intrested in posibly fostering a dog from a local shelter. What can I do to ensure that my current dog doesn't feel left out or replaced?
thank you,
iluvmybeaglesbark

Shastar

What we did when we would foster was first as much as the family that could go and meet the possible foster went. You gotta make sure everyone can get along. Take your time when meeting to, no rushing things when you feel comfortable that the dogs are getting along then see about taking the new foster home. I always insisted on meeting the dogs first on my own and then the family came with me.

Next when we got the foster home I gave them their own space, usually a crate (or room) where noone else was allowed (not even other dogs or cats) everyone needs a space of their own I think. After a couple days of watching the new one very close I let them interact with my dogs a bit more each day till at the end of the week (usually) they were out of the crate or room most of the time and running around. I always greeted our dogs first, gave them treats first, feed them first and played with them first so they knew nothing was going to change for them. In turn they helped me reach some of the fosters and get them to trust me. When fostering there is A LOT of patience involved and sometimes it can be very hard letting them go. But to watch a the fosters grow is amazing and that is what I loved about it so much.

Best of luck and keep us updated on what is going on.. please.

Criosphynx

from what I understand, unless you know a bit of health history on the dog, its best to keep the foster segregated from your other animals.

as far as how to qualify, it will depend on your individual shelter, they are all different

Mikey

Definitely you want to look after the health of your babies-so like Crio said the dog needs to be healthy, vaccinated-and SAFE. Even a healthy dog is no good if they may bite your dog-or you I know most shelters are very careful about this sort of thing-but you should be asking them questions on how they screen to ensure they are doing their part

I haven't fostered dogs before, but I'd imagine you'd want to look at the potential dog in the same way you would if you were adopting. Can this dog fit into your family? Do you have time to potty train if they aren't-or if they decide they aren't potty trained anymore? Do you have the time?

Also question the shelter on their policies. Many pay for food and treats and vet bills. So do they?


And who's expected to drive to adoption events?

Are you expected to have strangers in your home, when it's convenient for them, to meet the dog?
Or do you meet them somewhere?
Or does someone pick up the dog and take him to meet them?



Good luck I've fostered other animals and it is rewarding, sad but awesome too Keep us posted on your decision

iluvmybeaglesbark

thanks soo much for your replies!! I just have a couple of questions:

-Is it too close to Christmas to foster a dog? I don't want to cause unnessesary stress but I would really love to give a dog a warm, loving home for Christmas

-I am working on sociallizing my dog but when she meets strange dogs she either barks(if she is inside or they are behind a fence) or she puts her tail head and sometimes hackels up. Is there any way I can get hr more comforatable around other dogs so she will accept a foster? I walk her everyday and take her to parks occasionally. She is not vicious, just wary and sorta uncomforatable around other dogs.

Criosphynx

you would have to arrange a meet and greet with the shelter or rescue, is your dog ok with others if there is no barrier? Alot of dogs just get worked up because they can't get to the other dog to meet them

and provided YOU aren't overloaded, xmas is not a bad time...shelters are often overloaded right now

iluvmybeaglesbark

okay, good to here that it's alrite to bring ome a new dog at Christmas . as for my dog, she is good some of the time, like there are some dogs she meets that she is okay and friendly with, but then there are others she jsut doesn't like, and although she isn't agrressive, she does get a get away from me attitude. It could be because we got her at only 6 weeks so she didn't get the essential socialazation time

Mikey

Big time depends on you-if you have time before xmas go for it

On the dog-depends on how good she is with other dogs once she gets to meet them Mikey is now a super 'safe' dog-he really can even play with dogs at the dp that other people complain about. BUT he will bark at dogs when he's in the yard or in the car. So that's pretty common.

THe meet and greet at the shelter is big-make sure you do that I also caution to not let the dogs meet nose to nose on a leash. I'd say walk them both first (if possible) then walk them together-then let them have a formal meeting

If your dog is dog aggressive at all or resource guards (growls and won't give up food or toys)-well I'd say why don't you go to the shetler on xmas day and walk dogs or give treats and toys instead. Then work on socializing her better, then work up to foster

iluvmybeaglesbark

I do have the time, I am not traveling for Christmas. And thak you for the tips on the shelter meeting. She isn't aggressive towards other dogs, she just wasn't socialized properly as a puppy so she is kinda fearful and on guard around other dogs. I dought she would ever attack another dog or anything but when it comes to her food, enen with me, she eats really quick and keeps an eye on people. I would feed them at different times and one would be in, one out during feeding time. I really don't think she'll be aggressive but when we got our new dog about a year or two ago, she wasn't herself. she was really stressed and highstrung all the time, i just don't want that to happen to her again. Once my other dog decided he wanted to be outside, she went back to her normal self though.

iluvmybeaglesbark

okay, I think we are going talk to the shelter about being a foster home. they are closed tomorrow and Christmas but we will problably go in this weekend