Fostering

LCD

Few months ago we contacted the local dog rescue about possibility of fostering. They came around & stayed for a chat & met Sooty.
They called us just before Christmas but we were away for 10days so wasn't suitable. Contacted us again today about a dog. I am quite keen as is Mrs LCD, but obviously worried/bit nervous.

How do we handle introducing a new dog to our dog? Sooty is old (we reckon 10ish) very quiet, very docile, not very playful. Having come to meet us I presume they'll give us a dog to match his temperament?

sillysmiles

I would assume that it would be a good idea to have your own dog separated from the new dog for the first few days until you see how they get on?
I would think that they might not be able to match a fostered dogs temperament as much as a adopted dog but I have no idea and am only guessing.
I have thought about fostering but don't have a way of setting up our house that would maintain our own dogs routine while providing for the new dog.

aonb

Being a fosterer means that you are doing the rescue a huge and wonderful favour. Of course they are going to want your resident dog and the new foster dog to be compatible. Otherwise the foster wont work. Talk to the rescue about your Sooty, Sootys temprement and what kind of a personality/dog you would like to foster. For example, if you walk miles everyday, you will want an energetic/young foster dog. If you and Sooty stroll down the street twice/day you will want another relaxed/low exercise dog.
I would suggest you go and see any potential foster dog. See how you feel about it, ask all the questions, get down on the floor with the foster dog while this conversation is taking place, and let the dog sniff you and you see what its like when its in 'down mode'. If you are feeling positive about it, take the foster dog and Sooty for a walk on neutral territory. If Sooty and the foster dog seem ok, talk to the shelter again. If the personalities seem to suit, take the foster dog home. Remember the new dog is going to be very stressed/worried for the first week or 10 days, so give it time. Let it sleep in its own space for the first few nights until you see how the two dogs get on. Make sure to have supervised feeding times, so that you can ensure that both dogs are ok to eat together. Lots of positive, gentle, kind and quiet integration time for both dogs. Put treats in your pockets, dole them out like confetti for the first couple of days, with lots of positive and enthuastic encouragement.
DONT PANIC!!!! If Sooty and your new foster dog get on well, you will be so proud of yourselves and delighted with Sooty. If it doesnt work, chalk it down to clash of personalities, what can you do, sometimes dogs will be good together, sometimes not. If the foster dog has had a tough time, it can cause problems. A HUGE number/majority of foster dogs settle in quickly to their new homes, with resident dogs. Take a chance! See how it goes! THe worst that will happen is that the foster dog will have to go back to the rescue or to another foster home. Keep us posted and very best of luck to you and potential foster dogs

LCD

OP here.

Leah has arrived, Mrs LCD & Sooty went to the kennels on Saturday & took them for a walk together. She said he took no notice of her...until they got into the car together & he then noticed her.

Quite different personalities, Sooty is extremely quiet & laid back. If he isn't walking or eating he is sleeping. Leah is constantly moving walking around, jumps on you, licking you, however she doesn't bark too often. When she gets right in his face he growls at her & if she keeps at him he will let out a bark. She doesn't seem scared of him or startled by the growls/barks. They are on their own today, hopefully they are getting on. Left them alone for a few hours yesterday & we got home to no sign of a fight!

Were also greeted to 2 poos in the sitting room this morning. Now have to read up on toilet training. She isn't a puppy so is p[roving a bit harder to find information on training an adult

DBB

Congratulations op!
Toilet training an adult is pretty much exactly the same as toilet training a pup... Just the intervals between breaks can be quite a bit longer for adults. It's usually easier to train an adult!
One thing that really sticks out for me in your post though... I wouldn't be at all inclined to leave two strange dogs alone with full access to one another, and with full access to each other's resources, until they know each other far better than they do now.
I'd strongly suggest that you arrange things so that they can see each other, but there's a barrier between them... Baby gates are perfect for the job, as are playpens. Crates are ok if it's only a short duration, but are a non-runner if it's longer than an hour or two.

LCD

Leah (fostered dog) & Sooty seem indifferent to each other. He is so quiet that she must do his head in but for the most part they stay out of each others way. They walk along fine when side by side on their leads. Sometimes in the evening she'll jump into his bed when him & he does his low pitch growl at her.

She is so high energy, constantly up & down & investigating every noise. I noticed she likes to stand beside me when I am in the kitchen cooking.

aonb

How is Leah settling in?
Is Sooty getting used to her?
Hows the toilet training going?
Photos?!?

LCD

aonb wrote: »

How is Leah settling in?
Is Sooty getting used to her?
Hows the toilet training going?
Photos?!?

Definitely improved, she is a lot more settled, getting use to our routine & accidents are not as frequent. She did pee in the hall this morning.

Sooty seems to be more tolerant of her. They actually fell asleep side by side the other night. She has stopped getting in his face as much. They'll walk along side by side on the lead happily enough.

I gave her a bath Saturday evening w & now she doesn't stink. Booked in for a hair cut Saturday, the hair everywhere is driving me nuts!

DBB

I think it behoves you, LCD, to post a photo.
G'wan

makeandcreate

Such a great thread, I have a rescue dog and would love to foster as well.

LCD

Not a great photo. She has this habit of sitting on top of the couch looking out the window writing for one of us to come home, so if I am home she'll sit there waiting for Mrs LCD & vice versa. The photo is her last night.

She knows the sound of our cars. I see her get all excited when she hears Mrs LCD's car coming into the Cul De Sac

LCD

Two poos in the sitting room this morning. Lifting dog poo outside, putting it in the flower beds to show a dog & then praise her is something I never imagined myself doing. Not really the rock n'roll lifestyle

sillysmiles

Nothing like lifting poop to remind you how far your come in life:D

LCD

Poo all over sitting room again last night. Also she is spotting a bit of blood (in heat I presume). She is not neutered & I don't believe we are suppose to get her done.

Testing times!!!

LCD

I opened the back door this morning & she went outside & did her business!! I nearly cried with happiness.

However yesterday she ate the plug cord on the fan beside my exercise bike. Swings & roundabouts.

I think she gave Sooty the kennel cough. Since last Friday he was making a real raping sounds, almost like a goose. We thought it cleared up Saturday when he coughed up a load of phlegm. Started again Sunday night so vets on Monday. Of course he never made a sound in the vets. Got him some tablets & a liquid I have to inject into his mouth. Since then hard to say if improving or not. He still gets crazy excited about his walks, though appetite a little up & down. He gets like that from time to time.

Ashbx

Ah dogs....they do something that makes you SOOOO proud and then 5 mins later they throw it out the window by eating something they shouldn't. Ya gotta love them huh!

Take care of Sooty!

LCD

Leah (foster dog) still with us & seems happy. Did have another mishap in the hall the other night, which I walked through, great start to the day. Took her for a clean & clip the other day. She didn't seem quite panicked when we left her & happy when we came back.

Sooty (Our own dog) also seems to be coming around to her. I have seen the 2 of them sleeping in his bed together, which was a complete no no when she first arrived. She destroyed the bed we got her. Also Sooty's kennel cough seems to be finally gone.

Leah is still a bit needy & moans a lot when we leave. She is quite affectionate & while she has calmed down considerably since first arriving over 5 weeks ago, she will still jump up to investigate any sound.

Last we heard was that she was due to go to the UK in the middle of this month for a new home. I hate the thoughts of her life been uprooted & of course terrified that she wouldn't go to a good home. I won't let her go unless they are 100% sure they have a home for her. I couldn't bare to think of her back in kennels.

LCD

Got a text message last night to say Leah is going on Friday. We are both upset.
It makes perfect sense for her to go, she still poos inside at least once a week, she sheds hair everywhere, she jumps all over you all the time. However we love her personality, she brightens up our house in a way I can't explain.

She is off to the UK I believe & I am terrified that she won't go to a good home. Would I love to keep her yes, do I won't to keep her, probably no. I can't imagine we could get people to mind her when we go away (she is high energy) & I feel a lot more constricted by her than we do with Sooty. At weekends, most places we go, Sooty comes. If we go out for lunch, he waits in the car for us. With Leah, you can't do that. Feel tied to be back at the house every few hours to keep her entertained.

We will miss her

Ashbx

Well well done you for taking her on in the first place!

It will be sad to see her go but im sure she is going to an amazing home!

sillysmiles

Think of it as opening a spot in your house for another dog needing fostering!

LCD

We packed all her things (lead, jacket, toys etc.) into a bag & wrote a letter saying a bit about her what she liked, her routine etc. & Leah was then picked up Saturday afternoon. She was getting the ferry to the UK along with 10 other dogs. Very sad & house didn't feel the same without her.

Last night we got a text, a picture of her in her new home, which made our day. Miss her & hope she is happy.