Getting Your House Ready
Before bringing your foster home, you’ll want to make sure that your house or apartment is “dog ready”. Even if you already own a dog, you will need to set up a few specific things for your foster to make their transition into your home smooth and easy. Some things to think about are:
WHERE IS YOUR FOSTER GOING TO SLEEP?
Many dogs are not use to sleeping in a kennel, so you will need to plan ahead and think where the best place for your foster will be. You might want to block off a section of your house such as a spare bedroom or kitchen with a baby gate to give your foster time to get accustomed to their new surroundings and give them a chance to get use to the idea of sleeping in a kennel. By setting this up beforehand you will already have a safe place for your foster to be and they will quickly learn that it is “their” safe place. Once your foster is use to your home, you can start kennel training them.
WHAT SHOULD I PUT IN MY FOSTER'S "ROOM"?
Before your foster comes home for the first time make sure that you have blankets or a bed in the room for them to lay on. You will also want to put their food/water dish in here- it is best to feed your fosters in a separate area from your own pets to avoid any food aggression or resource guarding. Even if your dog has never displayed these tendencies it is better to air on the side of caution- this will also help to show your pet that they are still important even though there is another dog in the home. You will also want to have toys and bones available for your foster to play with as well (nothing is worse than being bored!)
WHAT ABOUT FOOD?
If you have a pet already living in your house, it is important to feed your new foster in a different area to prevent any sort of resource guarding. Many foster dogs aren’t use to eating on a regular schedule, or may be nervous in their new surroundings. By placing their food in a separate and safe place this will encourage them to eat when they are ready. Don't be alarmed if your foster doesn't want to eat right away- being in a new situation is just as stressful on dogs as it is on humans and it can take a few days for them to settle in.
WHERE IS YOUR FOSTER GOING TO SLEEP?
Many dogs are not use to sleeping in a kennel, so you will need to plan ahead and think where the best place for your foster will be. You might want to block off a section of your house such as a spare bedroom or kitchen with a baby gate to give your foster time to get accustomed to their new surroundings and give them a chance to get use to the idea of sleeping in a kennel. By setting this up beforehand you will already have a safe place for your foster to be and they will quickly learn that it is “their” safe place. Once your foster is use to your home, you can start kennel training them.
WHAT SHOULD I PUT IN MY FOSTER'S "ROOM"?
Before your foster comes home for the first time make sure that you have blankets or a bed in the room for them to lay on. You will also want to put their food/water dish in here- it is best to feed your fosters in a separate area from your own pets to avoid any food aggression or resource guarding. Even if your dog has never displayed these tendencies it is better to air on the side of caution- this will also help to show your pet that they are still important even though there is another dog in the home. You will also want to have toys and bones available for your foster to play with as well (nothing is worse than being bored!)
WHAT ABOUT FOOD?
If you have a pet already living in your house, it is important to feed your new foster in a different area to prevent any sort of resource guarding. Many foster dogs aren’t use to eating on a regular schedule, or may be nervous in their new surroundings. By placing their food in a separate and safe place this will encourage them to eat when they are ready. Don't be alarmed if your foster doesn't want to eat right away- being in a new situation is just as stressful on dogs as it is on humans and it can take a few days for them to settle in.
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This is an example of a room being set up for a new foster who has separation anxiety and isn't use to being indoors. Notice that the kennel has a blanket covering it to make the dog feel safe, there are blankets inside and she has chew toys in her room if she chooses. On the door frame is a baby gate to prevent the pets from coming in and bothering the dog until she is settled, but they are still able to see and smell one another to get use to each other from a distance.