Many people want to foster dogs for the shelter because they get to have all the fun of having a dog, but they can take it back if they don’t like it. Many people also use it as a means to “test out dogs.” They do this to decide what type of dog they want to get. However, people who go into fostering dogs for these reasons typically get a rude awakening. Here are a few things to take into account before you foster dogs.
You don’t know the dog’s history:
You may shrug your shoulders and say, “so, you never know a dog’s history when you get one.” Factor in these variables, this animal’s past is unknown, even to shelter staff. They may be an owner surrender, or they may be a stray. You have no idea whether they have been beaten. Since they have been at the shelter, they have been caged individually. They are taken out on a leash and typically only introduced to other dogs on a short term basis. This means that when they do see other dogs and people, they are happy, because it doesn’t happen often.
While they are in the shelter, they will have their resources locked in with them. This means that other dogs cannot get to it, and the only time people touch it is to refill it.
Possible problems to anticipate:
Food aggression: If you have children or other dogs, this is something that you should look for at the start of fostering a dog. If the dog growls when someone or something is near its bowl. This is considered food aggression, or food guarding. Keep a close eye on this to see if it gets worse, if it develops into a problem, you should contact the shelter you are fostering for, or begin training against food aggression.
Resource aggression: Resources are anything the dog feels are his/hers or anything that they need to survive. Water, food, leash, bed, blanket, or a toy can be considered a resource for a dog. If a dog is guarding these things, or shows any aggression toward anyone or anything that gets near it, contact the shelter you are fostering for, or begin training against resource aggression.
Human Aggression: Human aggression is not always evident with a dog at first. If a dog growls at, nips at, bites at or takes an aggressive stance toward a human, either contact the shelter you are fostering for or begin human aggression training.
Dog aggression: If your foster dog bites at, barks at, growls at, or takes an aggressive stance toward one of your dogs you should call the shelter you are fostering for or begin training for dog aggression.
Cat aggression: If your foster dog bites at, barks at, growls at, chases, or takes an aggressive stance toward one of your cats you should call the shelter you are fostering for or begin training for cat aggression.
Aggressive behavior cannot be ignored. If the dog is showing aggressive behavior before it has time to get comfortable, the problem could become worse over time. It can also lead to injury of humans, dogs or cats. Even if it is dog aggression, you could get bitten in the process of breaking up the fight.