Bring your foster dog home

There are a few important thing to remeber and steps to go through when bring a new foster dog or puppy home

1. Before entering the home
   
   • Make sure you know all the needs of your particular foster dogs, energy level, food, medication.
   • Your foster dog has been cooped up in his kennel, the best thing to do when you first pick him up is to take him for a nice walk to get rid of some of the extra energy they might have. (unless otherwise instructed)
   • If you have your own dog(s) have them all meet briefly outside on "neuteral ground" (this can be done at the shelter or before you go inside) this helps everyone to settle in.
   • show him where things are, set up the crate where he'll be staying/sleeping in, food and water dishes.
   • remember to keep to a schedual, it's easier for the dog and you!
2. Time to....keep a to schedual
   
   • EAT [depending on the age]: Most dogs eat once to twice a day and are on dry EUKANUBA, young puppies will eat more often. Feed your foster dog at the same times each day. It's best to have a meal before they go for a walk.
   • WALK (bathroom) [depending on the age]: They foster dog needs two-three 20-30 min walks per day. Best to walk them in the morning before going to work, afternoon and then evening before bedtime.
     Young puppies need to be walked every 2 to 4 hours depending on thier age thus need a foster family home more often
     Remember that your foster dog also needs to go out for a few longer walks to get enough exersive!
   • PLAY: All dogs need play time, both indoor and out. Be sure that your foster dog gets plenty of play time. Going for long walks, playing ball or fetch, etc.
     REMEBER foster dogs should be on leash when outside all the time unless in a fenced in yard supervised
     
   • SLEEP: When your foster dog is still new to the household, they should go to their room (crate) at night to sleep. More about when and how to crate train a dog is available here
3. Basic dog training
   Most foster dogs need some work on the basics!
   for housetrianing see crate training
   Remember to be consistent, use possivite reinforcment for good behaviours and ignore bad. Reward the dog with praise, and/or small treats when they do as told
   (call Tara D. 725-3166 ext: 245 for any information on foster dog training)
   
   • SIT
   • DOWN (don't jump)
   • "GO" Remeber to praise your foster dog when the go to the bathroom outside, this will reinforce the behaviour. Do NOT punish a dog that has an accident, the dog will not know what he's done wrong and is not going to solve the problem. When you take the dog out for a walk wait till they go outside before bering them back inside. See also crate traning
   • Many foster dogs have had little to no training on a leash and often do best on a gentle leader, this is like a harness used for horses, where the dog can still open thier mouth to get treats, toys etc. But you have more control over them using gentle movemnts and no force. This method is quick and easy for both dog and foster parents. Less pulling/jumping up means more enjoyable walks for both! The dog learns to associate this with going for a walk. The gentle leader is only used for walking, and is taken off when they are inside or out in a fenced yard with you.
4. The crate The crate is seen to the dogs as a den or bedroom, this is a safe place for them to go when they want quite time, a place to take a nap. The crate should not be used as a form of punishment. SEE Crate and Housetraining