Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
What will I need to know - Update What I have learned
I submitted an application to IDOG Sunday to be a foster home. I haven't heard back yet but just in case I would like some info for a 1st timer. I read that Samantha should not be in the house when bringing in a new dog. Let the newbie walk the yard and the house and get used to the sights and smells. THEN they can meet, on leash??? in neutral territory. Where do you suggest? Driveway? Corner? How/when would you suggest that they meet? When should they both be off leash? Samantha has had playdates here with no problem sharing her water bowl, allowing another Doodle walk through her house. I will feed Samantha first and in her kitchen and the foster in the laundry area (it is not a room but an area off the kitchen).
What have I missed?
What I have learned from Mickey:
Mickey spent the first 3 days sitting on a step on our patio in front of a mirror (guess he saw another puppy). We went to him to talk, stroke him. We put his food within a foot of his spot. He did get up to go to the lawn to P&P and cough (he had a horrendous case of kennel cough - he was being treated with the wrong antibiotic from the shelter vet). Slowly he started investigating the yard and Samantha. After a week or so, the spot was no longer his home base. He never went there again.
Mickey submissive peed whenever someone would say hi. We finally realized that first thing in the am, if we let him out of the crate and walked directly outside without saying a word to let him pee, it was better. After a couple of weeks, after he was very comfortable here but still submissive peeing, we quietly would tell him 'no' when he did, it stopped.
We took Mickey to the office with us. He loved the attention he got there but it was always was on his terms. No one was allowed to approach him. He had to go to them. It didn't take long for him to accept my office staff as friends and for him to bring them toys to play with him. He just followed Samantha's lead. He was her shadow - if she accepted something or someone, so did he.
I took Mickey on walks in town, he had never watched cars and buses and trucks whiz by but he did accept it quickly. The local police officers and public service workmen talked to him and give him treats. I did not allow them to pet him. I didn't want him to get upset and he didn't. He finally walked up to them to say hello. What a breakthrough!
We did go to the dog park before Samantha's Pet Therapy Class with pother DK doodles. It was a small park and only a few dogs. The first 2 times, he sat between the bench and the fence. By the 3rd visit, he was walking with Samantha and as the hour progressed, he was walking around without her. Another huge breakthrough! By the 4th visit, he was no longer hiding behind the bench and walking all over the park by himself. He never played with any of the other dogs but that was okay.
When I took him to the park by our home, he walked around by himself. If another dog approached him, he stood still allowing the other dog to smell him. If he was uncomfortable he came to sit by me but he did not hide. His confidence level was rising.
Slowly he started playing with Samantha. He ran after her, grabbing her ears and tail when she ran by playing ball. He would grab her tail and not let go so he got dragged along the lawn and he LOVED it! He got more and more confident with his play with her. It made our hearts explode!
Then we brought home Charli. Mickey accepted her and played with her like he did with Samamtha but so much more gently. They became fast friends.
What I learned from Mickey:
-Take it SLOW, when ready they will come to you
-Expose them to different situations (trains, cars, buses) and people - but never allow them to approach the dog. They have to do it make the first move and on their time schedule.
-Talk quietly and sweetly
-Be Patient!!
What have I missed?
What I have learned from Mickey:
Mickey spent the first 3 days sitting on a step on our patio in front of a mirror (guess he saw another puppy). We went to him to talk, stroke him. We put his food within a foot of his spot. He did get up to go to the lawn to P&P and cough (he had a horrendous case of kennel cough - he was being treated with the wrong antibiotic from the shelter vet). Slowly he started investigating the yard and Samantha. After a week or so, the spot was no longer his home base. He never went there again.
Mickey submissive peed whenever someone would say hi. We finally realized that first thing in the am, if we let him out of the crate and walked directly outside without saying a word to let him pee, it was better. After a couple of weeks, after he was very comfortable here but still submissive peeing, we quietly would tell him 'no' when he did, it stopped.
We took Mickey to the office with us. He loved the attention he got there but it was always was on his terms. No one was allowed to approach him. He had to go to them. It didn't take long for him to accept my office staff as friends and for him to bring them toys to play with him. He just followed Samantha's lead. He was her shadow - if she accepted something or someone, so did he.
I took Mickey on walks in town, he had never watched cars and buses and trucks whiz by but he did accept it quickly. The local police officers and public service workmen talked to him and give him treats. I did not allow them to pet him. I didn't want him to get upset and he didn't. He finally walked up to them to say hello. What a breakthrough!
We did go to the dog park before Samantha's Pet Therapy Class with pother DK doodles. It was a small park and only a few dogs. The first 2 times, he sat between the bench and the fence. By the 3rd visit, he was walking with Samantha and as the hour progressed, he was walking around without her. Another huge breakthrough! By the 4th visit, he was no longer hiding behind the bench and walking all over the park by himself. He never played with any of the other dogs but that was okay.
When I took him to the park by our home, he walked around by himself. If another dog approached him, he stood still allowing the other dog to smell him. If he was uncomfortable he came to sit by me but he did not hide. His confidence level was rising.
Slowly he started playing with Samantha. He ran after her, grabbing her ears and tail when she ran by playing ball. He would grab her tail and not let go so he got dragged along the lawn and he LOVED it! He got more and more confident with his play with her. It made our hearts explode!
Then we brought home Charli. Mickey accepted her and played with her like he did with Samamtha but so much more gently. They became fast friends.
What I learned from Mickey:
-Take it SLOW, when ready they will come to you
-Expose them to different situations (trains, cars, buses) and people - but never allow them to approach the dog. They have to do it make the first move and on their time schedule.
-Talk quietly and sweetly
-Be Patient!!
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles on
-
I personally have not had a problem in bringing a new dog right into my home. My three dogs are happy-go-lucky enough to be accepting of new friends. I have read to let them meet on neutral territory, like a park or other place but that has not been practical for me with 3 dogs.
Any dog will experience a bit of territory guarding any being the newbie in the pack. Dogs are pack animals and have to discover their place in the pack and where they belong in the pack. Meeting somewhere other than where they will live, IMO, will only delay the inevitable of coming into the territory of the first dog. It takes a day or two until they figure it out and you just have to be supportive and give your attention to both and not let one or the other feel left out.
Foster's can have other issues than sharing territory, especially if they came from an abusive or scary situation. That is the main area of concern. He or she is used to being with other dogs so the one you need to worry about is Samantha. If she is secure in sharing and not territorial, I wouldn't worry about the meet on neutral territory thing. -
-
Permalink Reply by Joanne ~ Spud* on
-
Hi Adrianne:
It has been a long time since I fostered dogs, although dogs sure haven't changed much, nor have humans or thier love, so I am sure you will find it an enjoyable and rewarding. You learn as you go, same as it was when you brought home your girls from the hospital. Each baby was different and so is each dog, but your learn and adapt. Quickly. You conquer one problem at a time. Actually, I would rather have a foster dog than a human house guest.
I found the reading on DRRC very informative! Join the foster group ( if you havent already). lots of good stuff to read.
But as you know, you can read all you want, but nothing can compare to hands on. Truth, hands on is so much better than reading :) If I had to choose anyone to foster, it would be you. Best Wishes. Any dog placed with you will be so lucky. -
-
-
Good point: The reading is good to just keep in the back of your mind. You know about the "Best laid plans" there is always the exception to every rule. So all the reading in the world can't address that unique situation. Just be prepared to get a dog who needs to learn everything and you will be surprised at how quickly they do learn. AND the first dog teaches them a lot. They learn from watching the other.
-
-
-
Yes Lynne, the first dog seems to be the true foster and teacher. Truly amazing process to witness. This is the part I loved most.
Oh and Adrianne, remember it is your home. Stay calm. That new baby needs to feel you and your ques. I know it is going to be fine. A dog is smart, and they will know, this is a new place, a safter place, this is love. :) -
-
Permalink Reply by Adrianne Matzkin on
-
will check it out immediately.
Thanks for that! It makes me feel great that you said that. I hope they respond to my application. I really want to do this -
A -
-
-
She has spent lots of time with Mac - at the park, walks, beach, and they have even shared a meal or two. Maybe that is why she didn't have a problem comning into her territory. I don't know about other dogs so I am going to have to make sure that we have playdates with other Doodles so I can see just how Samantha reacts before we foster so we both can be comfortable with having another dog in the house.
Thanks!!
Keep the suggestions and advice coming -
-
Permalink Reply by Adina P on
-
I've never fostered (hope to someday), but the one thing that sticks in my mind that I've read (and possibly IDOG has already listed this) is not to use a regular flat collar (in case the dog has a desire to bolt or pull out of the collar) and instead to use a martingale any time you take the dog outside of a fenced area.
-
-
-
That is what I use with Samantha but didn't think of that. I will go and get an 'extra' one - just in case we get a foster wtihout one.
-
-
Permalink Reply by Jacquie Yorke (DRC) on
-
-
-
-
Permalink Reply by gene on
-
Adrianne,
First off....thanks for the invite!
Second.....Bravo to you for opening up your home to our less fortunate friends.
Third......Idog has a set of guidelines and info on their site. There is a good wealth of info there.
I'm going to sent you a message with my phone #'s. I don't have all the answers......but since I'm on foster #7.....I think I might be able to help you out.....lol! -
-
-
I read info prior to filling out the application - it still didn't scare me away. I just hope that the 1st goes great so DH doesn't give me grief when the next comes our way. I begged Jacquie this morning, not to allow me to be a foster failure so I can keep on giving - like you do.
I know that each dog has their own personalities, baggage, etc.but do you think that it is a good/bad idea of bringing a foster to work with me. My office is at the end of our offices with a gate on it. I rarely have to close the gate for Samantha but there is no problem if I have to. They would be able to see all the comings and goings and meeting new people when FD (foster doodle) was ready to really meet new people and socialize. I think that is why Samantha has no real 'issues' (other than being ball obsessed) - she has been to the fire house, train station, sits at Star Bucks and Cold Stone watching all the comings and goings.
BUT that was with MY dog but what about a FD? -
© 2024 Created by Adina P.
Powered by
