Rescue, Fostering and the Multiple Dog Home

Those of you who already foster dogs for rescues or shelters successfully can probably skip this. But if you have any issues with foster dogs and your own crew or if you are thinking of taking in fosters, get comfy, this is for you!!

Bringing a revolving door’s worth of foster dogs into your home can be very rewarding but it can also create a multitude of problems….or not. This can very much depend on you and your relationship with your crew. If you maintain a leadership position with your crew, fostering dogs can be much easier. If your dogs are used to looking to you for direction, you already have a good foundation.

If you have any dog aggressive dogs, then you probably should not be fostering! This should go without saying. Maybe you think that you can keep them separate at all times? Certainly, if you have a set up that makes this possible and you are confident that you can keep everyone safe, then you may be an exception. But accidents happen, doors and gates can get left open. Always remember the potential and respect the danger and plan accordingly.

Back to fostering, maintaining your crew’s normal schedule as much as possible is your primary goal. If your dogs get to perform their usual routine, there is much less reason for problems to occur.

Depending on the demeanor of your own crew, you may want to introduce the newbie to them one on one. A locale that is away from your own home is best for neutrality but intros can also go well in home. I personally bring my new foster dogs out into the yard to meet my crew en masse but I am a professional and am usually very sure of the foster dog’s personality prior to bringing one home.

Allow plenty of time for the first meeting so that everyone can feel comfortable on their own time schedule. If you have any doubts about your ability to recognize potential trouble, then ask a body language savvy friend to attend. I make sure that my schedule is very open on the day that I bring a new dog in so there is enough time to help things run smoothly.

I believe that you should feed foster dogs separately from your own crew but I know of rescuers who feed everyone together successfully. You have to learn what works for your own situation. When in doubt, separate.

Sleeping arrangements are the same. Your own crew deserves the privilege of maintaining the status quo as far as bedtime is concerned. Forcing them to sleep close by a new dog can be stressful. Minimizing stress in your own crew will minimize stress all around. Be sure to make safe sleeping arrangements for your foster dog so he can also sleep as stress-free as possible.

Pottying everyone can certainly be done together if everyone gets on well. To ensure that exits into the yard run smoothly, the first thing I teach a new dog is to “wait” at the door. I have only ever had one dog take longer than five minutes to learn this behavior. This is one of the most useful behaviors that your foster dog can learn. Potential adopters will be impressed with a dog that has some impulse control skills.

Walking your foster dog with your own crew will depend on how you presently handle walks. If you walk everyone separately, then continue that practice. If you combine walks, you might want to consider walking your foster dog with your easiest to walk dog. Your new charge will likely need some walking on loose leash lessons so using your easy to walk dog as a walking partner will help you stay sane. Of course, management tools such as a front clip harness are your friend in this scenario.

When it is time for your foster dog to go to his new home, consider whether your crew has become friendly with your ward. I have discovered by trial and error that if my own dogs get to see the adopter leave my home with my soon to be ex-foster dog, it gives them closure. I always sensed their confusion when I left with a foster dog that never returned. When handling an adoption straight from my own home, I noticed that my own crew are now much more relaxed about the whereabouts of the exiting foster dog. I baby-gate the kitchen and handle the contracts and instructions in the kitchen while my crew watches from the next room. I find this to be a win/win situation all around. Of course, you may not have this option. If not, try to be very upbeat about your departure with your foster dog. Reassure your dogs that all is well. Act happy that you have time alone again with your own crew and they will follow your lead.

Fostering rescue/shelter dogs can be a very rewarding experience if you plan for it well. One word of caution though: if you keep your foster dog, you will be less able to foster another dog in the future. Be realistic about your limitations. Collecting is not rescue. Stick with a manageable number for you for your sanity’s sake!