Preparing To Be A Foster Parent So You Can Set Your Foster Dog Up For Success

Preparing To Be A Foster Parent So You Can Set Your Foster Dog Up For Success

If you’re thinking of being a foster, it is an awesome experience. Especially if you sincerely want to work with dogs but cannot have a permanent dog of your own for whatever reason. But please know fostering is more than just wanting a dog to cuddle with. Sure, they can give you that but as the front line of helping a dog rehabilitate, there’s a bit more work involved.
Rescue organizations don’t require you to put in that extra work but let’s face it, most fosters are not vets, practitioners or trainers. We have to do due diligence with what we can. Love is a great foundation (some trainers will argue with that) but it has to be in addition to understanding your foster dog’s triggers and helping them with certain obstacles.

Training is not the end all be all, there’s still the emotional aspect of that dog to address that conventional training may not be able to reach. Animal communicators can tell you all about it. There are things ‘outside of the box’ that is worth considering. I’m all about weighing all the options instead of being told this is the only option. Drugs are not the only option, euthanasia as the first solution to aggression is not the only option. Whether it be looking at a human or dog, a holistic approach is best to suit that particular person or dog. One size does not fit all. Human or dog, we all do not have the same fears, or same stress factors or triggers.
Personally, when I foster, I observe their behavior, their patterns, their likes, dislikes etc. Based on that, I take the time to research professionals who can give me some tips. I look for certain foods (I don’t necessarily feed them with the bag the rescue gives. If it’s low quality food, I won’t really use it) Food can greatly improve their state of mind. If you're going to put junk or chemicals in them, their health can only go so far. Same with us. I also look for natural supplements and remedies at health food stores. Trust me, this alone can help with transition. I have a few favourites but that’s for another blog.
All in all, it is extra effort that is not paid. It can be a hit in the pocket that’s for sure. But at the end of the day, if the foster dog can get a head start with me, typically the person that adopts them will continue what you started. To me, that small legacy is worth it.

So let’s get back to fostering.
Here are a few basic things to consider before you fill in that foster volunteer form.
1) Research a responsible rescue organization in your area. They are not all created equal and it is hard to spot the good ones from the shady ones. No offense to anyone running a rescue but it is what it is. There are no governing bodies in this area. So you have to do due diligence, ask them a lot of questions, research reviews, if you can try to connect with their fosters to get feedback that would be good also. I wont get into what are some of things that can go wrong because I’m not here to negate rescue organizations, I’m in support of them, just get in touch with the ones that will support you as a foster volunteer. If they have a stringent procedure in accepting fosters, that’s a good sign.
2) Prepare your living environment so it can be a positive experience for the rescue dog. The last thing they need is to be rescued from a not so good place to go into another not so good place. For eg, don’t have rowdy children around a lot, many foster dogs find it stressful. Have them stay in an area where there’s natural light, maybe put some lavender essential oil drops on their bed, it helps with relaxation (hint).

3) Have all the necessary accessories. Mind you, the rescue organization usually provides leashes, basic food items, sometimes even clothing. I find I always buy harnesses when I foster because I find it easier to walk them, and I also buy specific foods that are on the healthier side to start boosting their nutrition intake. Ok and other things that would take another blog to write about.
4) Research dog professionals in your area that would be willing to help you. Its not a requirement but I just like to take that extra step. I found a daycare that didn’t charge me to bring him there so I can see if his socialization skills with other dogs can be improved. Also a groomer helped me out because she had experience in aggressive dogs. So you wont know until you ask. Having help from a holistic veterinarian would be ideal because they have tools in their toolbox that can help tremendously with trauma and stress. Here’s a directory of them.
civtedu.org/directory
5) Engage them in some training exercises. If you get one that’s already trained, that’s a treat:) Getting professional training can be costly so try to pick up some books in the library. Be careful on the techniques you use because those foster dogs that have been abused, they do not trust you fully to allow you to be their dominant leader. I actually prefer positive reinforcement but again, due your research.
6) Do not rely on the rescue organization to do all the marketing. Post pictures, write about your foster dog and share on social media, go to the dog park and let people know this pooch is looking to be adopted. Make a simple flyer, go to your local vet clinic and see if they’re willing to display the flyer.
7) And lastly, prepare to give them a lot of love. I know there are trainers out there that think love is not how you rehabilitate or train a dog but c’mon, dogs give us unconditional love how can we not return it. They may not be the best behaved when you first get them but be patient with them. They can turn around fairly quickly.
Now that I’ve made it seem like fostering is a full time job, don’t be swayed by it. All of these steps come naturally anyways if you’re in it for the right reasons.