Dear Daniella,

The fact that you are asking serious questions about fostering shows that you are an excellent candidate. Too many people enter into pet ownership on impulse. A good organization will take pains to place the appropriate dog with you and to support you along the way. They know that these dogs need stability and want to put them in homes where they’ll have the best chance to succeed.

You are right that some foster dogs have “issues.” However, in my experience, over 95% of these issues are caused by the owners.
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I have met a lot of bad owners. I have never met a dog that was organically “bad.” It’s amazing how dogs, even those abused and neglected in the most unimaginable ways, can blossom into wonderful pets in a loving home. Ironically these rescues are often the easiest to train. All dogs are pack animals programmed to please their leader - but these poor orphans just seem to rejoice in their second chance.

That said, you must be prepared to help your new friend reach his fullest potential. The first things these dogs need are unconditional love and patience. Owners with health issues excel here. Used to struggling to do what others do naturally, disabled owners can empathize with their pet’s efforts to navigate a world that can seem strange, difficult and arbitrary. Making that journey easier is where training comes in.

Training is critical. Positive, loving training (any other kind is abuse and is the last thing these dogs need or will respond to) is the best gift you will ever give your pet. Training is fun and strengthens the bond between handler and dog. Training builds a dog’s confidence and puts them at ease with the world. So many doggie problems, like aggression and inappropriate chewing, are the products of fear and anxiety.

To understand what it’s like to be an untrained dog, imagine that you’ve just been dropped onto an alien planet. You don’t speak the language or understand any of the customs, yet you’re expected to behave in some narrow, undefined manner that is somehow appropriate. Talk about a recipe for stress - on both sides! Your dog wants to please you; teach him how to do that.

The best thing about training is that it is neither difficult nor time consuming. You’ll be shocked by what a difference you can make in ten minutes a day. When it comes to training there are also many different options to get the job done.

It’s great if you can go to a good obedience class. (You’ll need to shop around because anyone can call themselves a trainer. If you are in a class and the instructor does anything coercive, trust your instincts and get out of there. Don’t feel you have to defer to this “expert.”) Obedience classes are fabulous because it helps socialize your dog and gives you a chance to make friends with other caring owners. If mobility is an issue, some trainers will come to your home.

If the cost of professional training is prohibitive, don’t despair. There are fantastic books that can make even the most novice handler look like a pro. My personal favourite is GOOD OWNERS, GREAT DOGS by Brian Kilcommons. I like that book because he always offers multiple approaches to every problem. (Just like kids, no two dogs are exactly the same.) I bet if you read Kilcommons’s book now, it would erase a lot of your jitters about fostering. Kilcommons is also a good benchmark for judging other training resources. There are a lot of bad books and programs out there. Dog Training for Dummies was written by one. And don’t even get my started on the Dog Whisperer……..

As you’ve probably guessed, I used to teach a lot of obedience. I can’t do that now that I’ve been injured, but I am still passionate about dogs. I think that they’re the most marvelous creatures in all creation (cats, too) and nothing makes me happier than to see them in the safe, loving homes they deserve. To that end, should you decide to foster, I would be happy to be an online resource for any of your doggie related questions.
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Cheers & Wags