medium and large adult dog foster manual 4-11-17 -1 · • any medium/large dog • long stay dogs...

Startinga

MediumandLargeAdultDogFosterProgram

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StartingaMediumandLargeAdultDogFosterProgram

TableofContents

Introduction................................................................................................................................3

WheretoStart............................................................................................................................4BestCanineCandidates.................................................................................................................................................................5FindingYourFosters......................................................................................................................................................................5TheAsk.................................................................................................................................................................................................7VolunteersCross-TrainedasFosters............................................................................................9

PlayGroups.................................................................................................................................9

FosterLogisticsandTraining.......................................................................................................9FosterMentors..................................................................................................................................................................................9YourRelationshipwithFosterFamilies.................................................................................................................................9CommunicatingObjectivelytoShelterStaff.........................................................................................................................9FosterTraining...............................................................................................................................................................................12ImportantThingstoTeachFosters........................................................................................................................................13Example:Behavioral/BlueDotFosterProgram...............................................................................................................13SuggestedEquipmentforFosters............................................................................................................................................18FlexibleFostering............................................................................................................................................................................19

SupportingYourFosters............................................................................................................19TheFosterTeam............................................................................................................................................................................19BehavioralSupport......................................................................................................................................................................20

AdoptionsfromFosterCare......................................................................................................20ScreeningPotentialAdoptersandMakingAdoptionMatches..................................................................................21QueueingPotentialAdopters...................................................................................................................................................23MeetingwithPotentialAdopters...........................................................................................................................................23AddressingBehavioralIssues....................................................................................................................................................24

Adoption...........................................................................................................................................................................................24Post-AdoptionSupport.............................................................................................................26

KeepingYourFosters................................................................................................................28

AppendixA:Resources..............................................................................................................29Behavioralsupport.......................................................................................................................................................................30Fostercareforadultdogs..........................................................................................................................................................30Postshelterdecompression.....................................................................................................................................................30Dogplaygroups.............................................................................................................................................................................31AppendixB:AustinAnimalCenterFosterCareProviderAgreement..........................................31

AppendixC:SurveyofFairfaxCounty’sBehavioralFosters........................................................32

IntroductionCoreyhadbeenwaitingforhisadoptersfor7months,duetoadoptionrestrictionsonblocky-headeddogs.Hewassweet,intelligentandobedient.Overtime,hisbehaviorinthekennelbecamemoreandmorefrenetic,disintegratingtothepointthathedisplayedthesamebehavioroverandover.First,hewouldpickuphisdinnerKongandhurlitintohiswaterbucket.He’dstandthereforamomentlookingaround,asiftoensurethathehadanaudienceforhistrick.Suddenlyhe’dthrowhisentiregiantheadintothebucketandbobaroundfortheKong.Likeawhalebreaching,hisheadwouldsoarbackwardsoutofthebucket,waterflyinginalldirections,soakinghiskennelandtheadoptionfloor.Therehewouldstand,triumphant,waterpouringoffhishead,theKonginhismouth.Hisbehaviorontheadoptionfloortickledthefunnyboneofafewvolunteers,butitwasoff-puttingtopotentialadopters.Someshelterworkerssawitasasignthathe’dhadenough.Theybelievedhewasnolongerabletostandlifeintheshelterandthatadopterswouldcontinuetooverlookhim.Worse,theybegantoinsistthatatthispoint,euthanasiawashisbestoutcome.Butwasthereanotheroptionforhimthatwehadnevertried?Webelievedtherewas.Withafledglingshort-termfosterprogramandtwofamilieswhocouldonlykeephimforafewdaysatatime,Coreywentintoemergencyfosterwiththeunderstandingthatifhewasbroughtbacktotheshelter,hewouldnotsurvive.Outsideoftheshelter,glimmersoftheoldCoreywereseenwithinhours.Hewenttoworkwithhisfosterfamilyandevenonaroadtrip.Theydocumentedeverything.Pictureswerepostedontheshelter’sFacebookpage.ThepostwasforwardedtoafamilywhohadrecentlylostadogwholookedverymuchlikeCorey.Thenextdaytheymethimattheshelteranddecidedtoadopthim.Ittookallof4days.Overthenext2years,theshelterplacedmanymoredogslikeCoreyintofostercareforvaryinglengthsoftimeandsawequallyastonishingresults.Fostercarewasthemostobviousfactorintheirsuccess,butmanyotherfactors,suchasmarketing,wereequallyimportant.Thismanualwillexplaineachofthesefactorsandhowtheyworktogethertofacilitateadoptionsforlong-staydogs.

Figure1.Coreyinfostercare

Figure2.Importantcomponentsofasuccessfulfosterprogramforadultdogs

WheretoStartThemostimportantthingyoucandotofindliveoutcomesforlong-staydogsistotreateachdogasanindividual.Gettoknoweachdogandtakenoteoftheirneeds,levelofkennelstress,strengthsandweaknesses.Onlybyknowingeachdogindividuallywillyoubeabletoknowwhattheirneedsareaswellasthepersonalitytraitsthatmakethemagoodfitforparticularfosterandadoptivehomes.Dogswholiveintheshelterenvironmentfor30+daysareparticularlyvulnerabletoshelterstressthatcouldsendtheirbehaviorintoadownwardspiral.Inmanycases,certainbehaviors(barrierreactivity,leashreactivity,etc.)developorbecomemarkedlyworseduringadog’sshelterstay.Dogswhoseemparticularlyvulnerabletothisshouldbespendingasmuchtimeoutsideoftheshelteraspossible.Inmildtomoderatecasesofshelterstress,dogsmaybefosteredfor3daystoaweekuntiltheirstressleveldiminishesandthenreturnedtotheshelterforadoption.Inmoreseverecases,it’ssafertokeepthedoginfostercareuntiltheiradopterisfound.Thereisnooneformulathatfitsalldogs,askennelstressaffectseachonedifferently.Inallcases,heavymarketingisadvised.Forthis,youwillneedhelpfromthefostercaregivers.Eveninshelterswheresomeadultdogsgotofoster,thereareoftensomanybarriersinplace,mostdogsdon’toftengetachancetohaveashelterbreak.Barrierscanincludealengthy,cumbersomeonboardingprocess,rulesandrestrictionsthatonlyapplytofostersaswellasaregimentedplacementormatchingprocess.Herearesomechangesthatyoursheltershould

Successusingfostercaretofacilitate

adoptionsforlong-stayshelterdogs

Volunteerscross-trainedasfosters

Weekendfoster

Powerhourfoster

Shelterdogplaygroups

Foster-andVolunteer-Driven

MarketingShelter

socialmediasavvy

Behavioralsupport

Fostersinvolvedintheadoptionprocess

Dogwalkinggroup

considermakingtotheirfosterprogramrightaway.Thismanualwilldivedeeperintothelogisticsoftheseideas:

1. Simplifytheonboardingandtrainingprocessforfosterhomes2. Makesurethatallofyourvolunteersareautomaticallysignedupasfosterssothatifthey

connectwithadog,theycantakeithometofoster3. Trainyouradoptioncounselorsandotherstafftoprocessfosters4. Letpeoplechoosethepetstheywanttofoster,nottheotherwayaround5. Processnewfostercaregiversonthespot6. Makeallyourmediumandlargedogsavailableforfosteroradoption7. Marketyourlongstaydogstofostercaregivers,notjustadopters8. Letyourfostercaregiverscompletetheadoptionprocessforthedog,themselves

BestCanineCandidates

• Anymedium/largedog• Longstaydogs• Dogswithnohistoryofaggression• Clear-cutcasesofshelterstress

FindingYourFosters

Longshelterstaysincreasestressonpetsandcanoftenbeatriggerforundesirablebehaviorsthatcanendapet’slife.Fostercarecanshort-circuitthiscycleandsavelives,butfindingenoughfostersforallthepetswhoneedthemcanbedifficult.Ifyouhaveamedicalfosterprogram,you’vemostlikelyhadseveralfosterswhohavetakenhomeadogwithchallengingbehaviors,whetheryou’dplannedforthisornot.Experiencedfosterswhoyoucanalreadydependonaregreatcandidatesforfosteringmediumandlargeadultdogs.Anotherplacetolookisatyourbestmediumandlargedogvolunteers,sincetheyhavetheneededdogskillsandhavemostlikelyalreadydevelopedarelationshipwiththedogsthatneedfoster.WeconductedasurveyoftheFairfaxCountyAnimalShelter’sfosterfamilies,andtheyhadsomegreatsuggestionsforplacestofindfostercaregiversforadultdogs:

“Providesuccessstoriesfromotherorganizationswiththisprogram…iftheorganizationalreadyhasagroupofdedicatedvolunteers,perhapsbeginbyrecruitingfromthisgroup.”“Thesheltercouldtargetrecentlyretiredpeopleorempty-nesters.(Afterourkidslefthome,thehousewassoquiet.Thatiswhenwedecidedtostartfosteringdogs.)Also,seekreferralsfromexistingfostersandvolunteers.”

“Ithinkyouhaveto“grow”intofostering,sohavingnewfostershavewonderfulexperienceswithlotsofsupportwithrelativelyeasydogsfirst…thenhelpingthemacceptmoreandmorechallengingdogsastheygrowandtheirskillsincrease.”“Ithinkrecruitingvolunteerstobecomefostersisessential.”

Dogswhohavestayedintheshelterforalongperiodoftimebuildstress.Thiscanoftenbeslowedorreversedbyastayinfostercare.Ifyouwaittofindafosteruntilthedogisincrisis,thedog’sbehaviormaymakeitdifficulttofindafoster.Thebestwaytofindfosteristogiveshelterbreakswhenyoubegintoseestresstakingitstoll.Consideraskingyourfostersinthisway:

Whereshouldyoulookforfostersformediumandlargedogswhohavechallengingbehaviors?

• Yourmostskilleddogvolunteers• Yourbestcurrentfosters• Keepaneyeonnewfosters;newoneswhohavegreatdogskillscouldworkuptoit• Considerrecruitingdogtrainersand/orpayingastipend

Figure3.FosterSurveyResults:Howlikelywouldyoubetotakehomeafosterdogbasedonthefollowing,onascaleof1to5?

TheAskFostercoordinatorscanrecruitfostersforspecificdogsinmanyways.Hereareafewexamplesofpostsandemailsthathavebeenusedtorecruitfostercaregivers.

Figure4.Fosterrecruitmentformanydogsviasocialmediagroup

Figure5.Fosterrecruitmentforonedogviasocialmediagroup.

Figure6.Fosterrecruitmentforonedogviaemail

VolunteersCross-TrainedasFostersMakingitaseasyaspossibleforyourvolunteerstofosteryourdogsisakeycomponentofthisprogram.Volunteerswhoarecompetentinhandlingyourtoughestdogsaregreatfosterprospectsfortworeasons:theyhavethedogsavvythatyouneedinafoster,andsincethey’retheonesgettingtoknowthesedogs,theiremotionalattachmentmakesitmuchmorelikelythattheywillwanttotakethenextstepinsavingtheirlives.

PlayGroupsShelterdogplaygroupsareaveryimportantpartofanylongstayfosterprogram.Notonlydotheyenableshelterstobetterevaluatedogstodeterminewhichwouldbenefitmostfromfostercare,they’reassistinmakingbetterfostermatchesaswell.WehighlyrecommendreadingtheDogsPlayingforLifeplaygroupmanualathttp://dogsplayingforlife.com/dpfl-manual/andcheckingoutthevideosandinformationtheirorganizationproduces.

FosterLogisticsandTraining

FosterMentors

Inordertomaximizetheamountofsupportforfostersandensurethatyourfostercoordinator’stimeisusedefficiently,considercreatingfostermentors.Fostermentorsarechosenfromyourmostexperiencedadultdogfosterprovidersandcanassistotherfosterfamiliesbygivingadvice,helpingwithdogintroductions,andtrainingnewfosters.Thisway,thefostercoordinator’stimeisreservedforthemostcriticaltasks.

YourRelationshipwithFosterFamilies

Cultivatingapositiverelationshipwithyourfosterfamiliesisvitallyimportant.Notonlyshouldtheytrustyou,youshouldtrustthem.Infact,inasurveyofbehavioralfostersfromtheFairfaxCountyAnimalShelter,feelingasthoughtheshelterstaffseesthemasatrustedmemberoftheteamwasoneofthemostimportantaspectsoftheirrelationshipwiththeshelter.

CommunicatingObjectivelytoShelterStaff

Familiesneedtodescribetheirfosterpet'sbehaviorobjectivelywhencommunicatingtoshelterstaffinordertocommunicateeffectivelyaboutbehaviorinawaythatdoesnotallowformultipleinterpretations.Thevalueofinformationafosterprovidesisinfluenceddirectlybywhatwordstheychoosetouse.

Objective Subjective• Fact-driven• Measurable,observableverifiable

throughevidence• Onlywhatisseenandheardis

recorded• Neutraltone;carriesnoemotional

charge

• Opinion-driven• Feelings,opinions,judgements;

cannotbeevaluatedorverified• Motivationsandinternalfeelings

areattributed• Positivelyornegativelycharged;

conveysagoodorbadimpressionofanimal

Objectivedescriptionshelpshelterstaffto:

• Collectaccuratedataandinformationaboutwhenandhowoftenabehavioroccurs.• Designeffectiveinterventionsandindividualizedgoals.• Determinewhetheraninterventionisworking.• Writeindividualizedgoals.

Thepitfallsofsubjectivewriting:

• Thewriterlosescredibility:Whenwritinganopinion,ifsomeonedisagreestheywillbelessinclinedtolistentoyou.

• Itallowsformultipleinterpretations.Forexample,“Idonottrustthisdog,”couldmeanthatthedogisunpredictablyaggressive,thatthedoghassomefearfulbehaviorsthatcanbeimprovedviatrainingandsocialization,thattheobserverisafraidoflargedogs,thattheobserverisbiasedagainstthedog’sbreed,etc.

• Thereadercannotgetaclearpictureofthebehavior.

Guidelinesforwritingobjectivedescriptions

• Beobservableandmeasurable.Describethebehaviorpreciselyasitwasseenorheard.Ratherthanwriting,‘Hewantedtoattacktheotherdog,’write,‘Whenthedogontheothersideofthefencecamewithin3feetofhim,hebeganbarkingandshowinghisteeth.’

• Useactionwords.• Avoidascribingmotivations,feelingsorreasonsfordoingthings.Thereisnowayto

observeadog’smotivationorfeelings.Isadogplayingfetchbecausehelovesit,orforanotherreason,suchasboredomortoyguarding?Ratherthansaying,‘Shelovesplayingfetch,’say,‘Whenwewentintothebackyard,shepickedupatennisballinhermouthandranawayfromme.Ithrewanothertennisball.Sheretrieveditandlettheotherballgo.Ithrewthefirstballandsheretrievedit,lettingthesecondballgo.Wedidthisforthenext20minutes,untilshelaiddowninthegrassanddroppedtheball.”

• Bespecific,notvague.Ratherthanwriting,‘Heisasweetheart,’write,‘Whenhemetmyhusbandanddaughter,hisbodywaslooseandwigglyandheimmediatelylickedbothoftheirhandsandfaces.’

• Beconcise.

• Recordenoughdetailtorelatewhathappened,butavoidbiasingyourdescription.• Wordsshoulddescribebutnotjudge.• Recordbehaviorsintheordertheyoccurred.• Contextisimportant!Makesuretoincludethisinformation.Behaviorsthatappearinthe

shelterdonotalwaysappearinthehome.Adogwhoplaysfetchforhoursatthesheltermaynotdothisathome.

TheTeacherTestWhenwritingaboutananimal’sbehavior,imaginethatyouareateacherwritingthebehaviorsintoahumanstudent’sfile.Howwouldyoudescribethebehaviorsothatthestudent’sparentscaninterveneappropriately,yetnotfeelthatthewritingisbiasedortakethedescriptioninapersonalway?IncludeDetailWhenrecordingbehavior,includedetailssuchaswhere,when,andhowmuch.Dependingonthesituationtheremaybeotherdetailsthatwouldbehelpfultoinclude,suchasprecedingevents,numberofpeopleinthearea,preexistingmedicalissuesorhowmuchfoodtheanimalhadeateninthepastdayortwo.Forexample,ifacathissedatsomeonewhocameuptomeethim,itmightbehelpfultonotedetailslikeifthepersonwaswearingsunglassesandahat,iftheywereholdingatoddlerwhowascryingloudly,oriftheroomwasnoisyandcrowdedwithpeople.AvoidLabels

stubborn sweet aggressive sketchy affectionate

Labelstellusnothingaboutananimal’sbehavior.Insteadofusinglabels,describethebehaviorthatmadeyouwanttoapplythatparticularlabel.“Iextendedmyhand,andsherubbedherfaceonmyknuckles.Sheapproachedmeandrolledoveronherbackatmyfeetwhilerubbinghercheekonmyshoe.Ipettedherforapproximately10minutes.”AvoidVagueWords N ever frequently usually always some oftenInsteadofusingvaguewords,useexactnumberstodocumentinteractions,items,ortimesabehavioroccurred.“Wetookfourshortwalkstoday.3outofthe4timesIputherleashon,shebeganjumpingandbitingattheleashforapproximately20secondseach.”AvoidUsingFirstPerson

“Idon’ttrustthisdog.”“Iwouldassumethat…”Keepitabouttheanimal’sbehavior,notyourfeelingsaboutit.Usefactstomakeyourpoint.Ifyoufeelacertainwayaboutananimal,describeonlythebehaviorthatmadeyoufeelthisway,notthefeelingitproduced.“Herbehaviortowardmehasbeeninconsistenttoday.ThismorningwhenIgaveheratreat,shetookthetreatquietlywithloosebodylanguage.ThisafternoonIofferedheratreatinthesamewayandshestiffened,stoodandbarkedatme.”OnlyReportBehaviorthathasHappened“Hehasyettobitebuthehascomeclose.” “Shedidn’tcowerwhenIpetherthismorning,butthatmayhavebeenaone-timething.”Onlyreportthefacts.Donotmakepredictionsabouthowananimalwillbehaveinthefuture.Forexample,“Helearnedawayandshowedthewhitesofhiseyeswhenthevacuumgotwithin2feetofhim.”ExamplesSaki continues to do extremely well in our home. He had a good visit to Austin Animal Center this week for a meet and greet with a different family with dog. He visited the vet and remained in control of himself. He enjoyed riding in the car (finally), with his head out of the window. He is now reconditioned on his interactions with our cat, and does not react to her even when she enters a room at full tilt or walks right by his nose. He is now reconditioned with strangers at the fence; he does not bark at children or strollers, and can be easily called away if barking at passersby with dogs. He is not reactive to cars passing by. He sits to be leashed or let into doors, he sits and waits to be released before feeding, he "kennels up" on command. He comes when called, even from across the yard. We have started his muzzle training and he's doing well -- not afraid, not reactive. He is showing control of himself when uncertain or startled; we have continued his "startle awake" training and he has not snapped or shown any disconcerting behavior. He learned to play Frisbee this week and within 8 minutes of being introduced to it, had learned to catch, retrieve, drop it and reset for the next toss. I can't say enough positive things about this dog and I'm extremely excited about the future ahead of him. Thanks for giving Saki a chance!

FosterTraining

Trainingmediumandlargeadultdogfostercareprovidersindogbodylanguage,behaviorissuesthattheymayencounter,techniquestheycanusetohelptheirfosterdecompressbetweentheshelterandtheirhome,dog-to-doginteractionsandhowtoworkwithpotentialadopterswillhelptoensureasafeprogramandafosterwhofeelssupported.

ImportantThingstoTeachFosters

• Wheretofinddifferenttypesofhelp• Whattodoifadoghasbitten• Theymusthavethedog’sshelterID#withthematalltimes• Whotocallincaseofemergency;havethephonenumbersprogrammedintotheirphones

• Fostercoordinator• Whotocallforamedicalemergency(vet?)• Whotocallforabitereport• Whotocallforalostdog

MoreConsiderations:

• Considereverydogandeverysituationindividually• Considerusinglocaltrainersas‘bridge’fosters

• Getmoreinformationandassessmentoutsidetheshelter• Wheneverpossible(andsafe),ifthefosterfamilywantstocontinuetohouseandwork

withthedog,considerprovidingtheresourcesincludingtrainingsupporttoallowthemtodoso.Ifyoudonothaveresourcesfortraining,thinkaboutallowingthefostertocreateafundingcampaigniftheywish,foratrainerpre-screenedbytheshelter.

Example:Behavioral/BlueDotFosterProgram

Thisprogramworkswhenashelterusesacoloreddotprogramforwalkingdogssuchasthis:

Puppiesanddogsthatcannotgooutsideformedicalreasons

Cangooutside;norestrictionsExperienceddogwalkersonly;mustbetrainedandpre-approvedbymanagerorsupervisorStaffonly;Volunteersdonotwalkorsocialize(withoneexception:agroupoftwoapproveddogtrainers)

BlueDotMentors

• 3-4mentorschosenbystaff• Givepresentationandleadsmallgroupsinhands-ontraining

• Demonstratehowtouseessentialsupplies• In-shelterpracticewithtechniquesforcommonbehavioralissues• Discussplanforintroducingfosterdogtootherdogsandpotentialadopters• Wheretogoforhelp

• Provideemailandphonesupportforfosters

BlueDotFosterTraining

Fostersofbluedotdogs(dogswhohavemorechallengingin-shelterbehaviors)receiveadditionaltrainingindogbodylanguage(seeAppendix__forthechecklist),post-shelterdecompression,commonbehavioralissues,dogintroductionsanddogplay.

CanineBodyLanguage

Fostersmustbeabletounderstandwhatadogiscommunicatingtotheminordertorespondappropriately.Educationincaninecommunicationcanhelpfostersidentifywhenadog’ssignalsearlyandunderstandwhattheymean.TheCenterforShelterDogshassomegreatgraphicsondogbodylanguagethatyoucanuse(seeAppendixBforalink).

Decompression

Usingthetimeperiodbetweenwhenthedogleavestheshelterandwhenitentersafoster’shomewiselycanimprovesafetyandcanmeanthedifferencebetweenadogwhoisbroughtbackfromfosterwithinhoursandasuccessfulfosterplacement.Whenapetissuffersfromkennelstress,itcantakefrom5minutesto48hoursormoreforthatpet’sanxietytoreturntonearnormallevels.Additionally,ittakestimetobuildtrust,andtrustisthebasisforobedience.Themoreadogtrustsit’sfoster,themorelikelyitwillfollowtherules.Insomecases,thebuildupofshelterstresscanmakeadogdifficulttotireout.Evenafteralongwalk,thedogmayrunincirclesaroundthehouse,jumpingonfurnitureandhaveadifficulttimesettlingdown.Othersmaymanifestanxietybywhiningalmostconstantlyforthefirst24hours,orbyhavingseparationanxietysointensethattheypanicifthefostergetsmorethan4feetawayfromthemorjumpupfromasoundsleepifthefosterevenshiftsintheirchair.Thisnearlyalwaysimproveswithtime.Thereareseveralthingsafostercandotohelpthisprocessalong:

• Createaplanforburningoffthedog’snervousenergy.Thismayincludetakingthedogforaverylong(1-2+hours)walkorhike,bikingwhilethedogsrunsalongside,orplayingfetch.

• Ifthetimeofdayisflexible,fostersshouldconsidertakingadogrightafterit’sbeenexpendingenergyinplaygroup—justdon’tskipthelongwalk!

• Ifthedogisfearful,considerwalkingwithalongerleash(inplacesthatarenotpublic)sothatthedogdoesn’tneedtobeclosertoyouuntilit’smorecomfortable.

• Ifit’snotpossibletotakethepetintofosterrightaway,itwillhelpifthefostercomestothesheltertobringthedogtreatsortakeitoutsideseveraltimes.Considerleavingsomethingwithyourscentonit,suchasatowel,withthedogwhileit’sthere.Thiswillhelpthedogtofeelmorecomfortableandassociatethefosterwithgoodthings.

• Useapheromonediffuserorcollar.• Ifthedogstillcan’tsettledownaftertheinitiallongwalk,usealaserpointer,puzzletoys

orplayfetchtokeepthedog’smindactiveandkeepitfromgettingitselfintrouble.

• Consideronlyusingessential(safety-related)commandsduringthisperiod.Don’twantthedogtojumpontoyourcouchwhilejumpingaroundthehouse?Thinkaboutsavingthatlessonforanotherdaywhentheyaremorecalmandavailableforlearning.

• Makesureyouractivitiesdon’toverstimulatethedog.• Doonlyessentialmeet-and-greetswithhumansandotherdogsforthefirst48hoursto

week,dependingonthedog’scomfortlevel.• Stickitoutforthefirst24hours.Itwillgetbetter,wepromise.

DogBehavior

Someofthemostcommonbehavioralissuesthatfostersseeinlong-staydogsare:• Homealoneproblems• Highenergylevel• Jumpy/mouthybehavior• Lackofsocialization• Lackofhousemanners• Fearofnewpeopleand/orotherdogs• Leashand/orbarrierreactivity• Resourceguarding• Handlingissues

LackofHouseMannersTheBehavior:

• Incompleteorabsentunderstandingofbehaviorthat’snormallyexpectedofadogindoors• Maystemfromhavinglivedoutdoorsforalongperiodoftime,havingseveralownerswith

differenthouserules(orfewrules),orlongshelterstays• Dogsmayexhibitbehaviorssuchasmarkingorotherpottytrainingdifficulties,jumping,

walkingorchewingonfurniture,etc.TheApproach:

• Triagebehaviorsandworkononeatatime.• Teachthemanalternatebehavior• Catchthembeinggoodandrewardforit!• Givethemthingstodo,stuffedKongs,nosework,foodpuzzles.

LackofSocializationTheBehavior

• Fearwhenconfrontedwithnewpartsofanormalhumansocietyduetoalackofexposuretothemasapuppy.

• Fearsmayincludedifferentenvironments,buildings,sights,noises,objects,people,otherpets,etc.

• Manyundersocializeddogsareunfamiliarwithnormalcaninesocialbehavior

TheApproach:• Triagethedog’sneeds

• Systematicdesensitization;introducetonewthingswhilekeepingthemfrombeingoverwhelmed

• AskforhelpinVolunteer/Fostergroup!HomeAloneProblemsTheBehavior:

• Maybarkorhowl,bedestructive,and/orurinateordefecateinthehousewhenleftalone.• MostdogsgetoverthisintimeTheApproach:• Findoutwheredogismostcomfortable(incrate,inroom,withaccesstofrontdoor,etc.)• Systematicdesensitization;keepdogunderthreshold

HighEnergyLevelTheBehavior:

Pent-upenergythatcanleadtoallsortsofunwantedbehaviors,suchasjumping,mouthing,destructionofbelongings,diggingandmore.

TheApproach:

• Walk,hike,run!• Playingwithanotherdog• Activitiesthatmakethemthinkcantirethemoutjustasmuchasregularexercise.Tryfood

puzzles,nosework,orteachingnewtricks.Jumpy/MouthyBehaviorTheBehavior:

• Adolescentoradultdogswhohaveanenergetic,playfulandoutgoingpersonality.Thesedogsenergeticallyjumpup,puttheirmouthsonpeopleandmaygrabatclothingortheleash.

• Thereisnointenttoharm.• Mayuseasoftmouthorahardmouth.

TheApproach:

• Theroleofattention• Putbone/toyinmouth• Donotoverstimulate• Basictrainingskillset• Metalleash• Ensureadequateexercise

FearofNewPeopleTheBehavior:

Maydemonstrateoneormoreofthefollowingbodylanguagesignalsinthepresenceofnewpeople:moveaway,avoideyecontact,tucktheirtail,crouch,cower,tremble,puttheirearsbackorhide.Dogsmayalsodisplayfearaggression(liplift,growl,snap,bite,lungeorbark).

TheApproach:

• Don’tlookineye• Havenewpersonsitdownandletdogcometothem(don’tcrowdthedog)whenthey

meetthedog• Ignorethemwhiletheysniff,andmoveslowly• Newperson=lotsoftreats!• “Watch”command• Don’tputthedoginasituationwheretheyareoverwhelmedwithnewpeople

LeashReactivityTheBehavior:

• Aleashreactivedogmaylunge,pull,whine,barkorgrowlatotherdogswhileonleash.Theymaysnaporbarkatanotherdogiftheygetcloseenoughwhileonleash.

• Manytimesthesedogsarefriendlytowardotherdogsiftheymeetoff-leash.

TheApproach:• Findthedog’scomfortabledistanceawayfromotherdogsand/orpeople• Usetreatstolure• “Watch”commandornamegame• Turnaroundormovetotheothersideoftheroadtoavoidconflicts• Walkregularlywithotherdogs!

BarrierReactivity

• Aleashreactivedogmaylunge,pull,whine,barkorgrowlatpeopleorotherdogswhileabarrierisbetweenthem.Theymaysnaporbarkatanotherdogiftheygetcloseenoughtothebarrier.

• Manytimesthesedogsarefriendlytowardotherdogsiftheymeetwithoutabarrierinbetweenthem.

HandlingIssuesTheBehavior:

Uneasinesswhenparticularpartsofthebodyarehandled,suchastail,mouth,feet,earsandhindend.

TheApproach:

• Goslowlyandmonitorbehavior• Muzzletraining• Systematicdesensitization• Avoidputtingthedoginsituationswheretheybecomenervous,ifpossible• Punishmentcanexacerbatethisissue

ResourceGuardingTheBehavior:

• Behaviorintendedtoconvinceotherstostayawayfromsomethingorsomeonetheyhighlyvalue.Aresourcecanbeanythingthedogvalueshighly:food,treats,aplace,aperson,etc.Thevalueofeachresourcemaychangewithtime.

TheApproach:• Donotdisturbdogwhileshe’seatingorplayingwithatoy• “Place”command• “Sayplease”program• Tradehighvalueitemsforitemsofhighervalue• Don’tleavefood/toysoutwhenvisitors/otherdogsarearound

Dog-to-DogIntroductions

• Fosterscanchooseintroductionmethod,buttheparallelwalksystemisrecommended• Consideraskingfostermentorsorvolunteertrainerstoassistwithdogintroductions• Fostercanalsobringtheirdogtothesheltertogethelpwithintroductionsbystaff

DogPlay

Teachfosters:• Whatitlooksandsoundslike• Whenandwhennottocorrectthemorslowthemdown• Whentoseparatedogs(incasesofbullying,whenonedogismakingtheother

uncomfortable,etc.)

SuggestedEquipmentforFosters

• Sturdy4’,5’or6’leash• SuggestusingtheEasyWalkorFreedomharnesses• Martingalecollar• Fostertags• Crate• Foodpuzzles,Kongsand/orothertoys

OtherHelpfulTools

• Severaltypesoftreats• Plug-inorspraypheromonediffuser• StuffedKongs/Nylabones/Goughnuts• Metalleash(forpersistentleash-biters)• Laserpointer• Yourwalkingshoes

*Babygatescanbehelpful,butagoodruleofthumbistoonlyusethemasasecondlineofdefensewhenseparatingadogfromanotherdogorcat.Somedogscanjumpeventhetallest

babygate;othershavebeenknowntobarrelrightthroughthem.

FlexibleFostering

Openingyourfosterprogramuptoshort-term,moreflexibleoptionsallowsmorepeopletobecomeinvolvedandmoredogstogetoutoftheshelter.Someofthesepeoplemayrealizethattheyareabletotakeonlonger-termdogs.Othersmaybeabletohelpproviderespitetolong-termfosterfamilies.Allowingyourfosterstonetworktofillgapsincarewillhelptorelievetheburdenonyourshelter’sfostercoordinatorandwillempowerfamiliestofindsolutionsfortheirfosterdogs.Therearemanywaysthiscanbehelpful.Ifafamilyhasavacationplanned,theymightpostarequestforatemporaryfosterintheshelter’svolunteerandfostergrouporcontactanotherfostertheyknowisopenpersonally.Afostermightbemorewillingtotakeonahigher-energydogiftheyknowtheycanpostarequestforanotherfostertotakethedogonapowerhourwalkonceaweek.Onceasub-fosterisfound,anemailissenttothefostercoordinatortoalertthemtothedetailsoftheplacementchange.Thefostercoordinatorcanthencontactthesub-fostertoensurethatallneededpaperworkhasbeensigned.

SupportingYourFosters

TheFosterTeam

Whileeachdogmayhaveonemainfosterhome,othervolunteerscanhelpwithphotography,videography,writingbiosandmarketing.Othervolunteersmayassistwithtrainingadviceandsupportandevenserveasaback-upfostersifthemainfosterfamilygoesoutoftownorneedsabreak.Thisapproachcostsorganizationsnothingandgetsdogsadoptedfaster,oftenwithoutthemhavingtoreturntotheshelter.Fosterteamshelpensurethatyouradultdogfosterprogramiscommunity-focusedandyourfostersaregivenmultipleavenuesofsupport.

Figure7.Exampleofanemailaboutachangeoffoster

Thetraditionalapproachtofosteringisthatallfosterquestions,sheltercheck-outs,medicalapprovalsandothersupportarehandledbythefostercoordinator.Thisputsanenormousamountofpressureononeperson,andoftenaccidentallyleadstounansweredquestionsandbottleneckedlogisticalissues.Medicalapprovallogisticsaremucheasieriffosterscanmakeneededappointmentsontheirown.Shelterscancreateanallowanceofaspecificamountofmoneythatcanbespentonemergencycarewithoutapproval.Thisremovesthebarrierofwaitingsometimeshourstogetapprovalfortreatment,andfosterswilllovethereductioninredtape.Whenashelterhasavolunteerandfostersocialmediagroup,questionspostedthereoftenreceiveanswersinstantly.Fostermentorscanalsohelpanswerquestionsandprovidesupport.

BehavioralSupport

• Fosterscanreceivesupportfrom:o Behavioralstaffo Fostercoordinatoro Fostermentorso Otherfosters/volunteers

• Considerformingpartnershipswithgoodlocaltrainers• Ifadogneedsbehavioralsupportthatyourorganizationisunabletoafford,consider

discussingitwiththefoster–you’llbesurprisedathowmanywillbeopentocreatingaGoFundMeorevenfundingitthemselves

AdoptionsfromFosterCareMakingContactwithPotentialAdoptersSheltershavedifferentmethodsforputtingpotentialadoptersintouchwithfostercaregivers,andtherearebenefitsanddrawbackstoeachsystem.Sheltersshouldconsidertheoptionsandchooseasystemthatwillworkthebestforthem.

• Forwardingpotentialadopters’contactinformationtofosterswhentheymakecontacto Thissystemonlyworkswhentheshelterisabletoforwardtheinformationtothe

fosterimmediately;iftimegoesbybetweentheinitialcontactandthefosterreceivingtheinformation,thepotentialadoptermayhavefoundapetbeforecontactwiththefosterismade.

• Theshelterpostsorgivesthefoster’scontactinformationtopotentialadopterswhencontactismade.

o Theremaybeissueswithprivacyhere;itdoesallowforinstantcontactwithfosterswithouttheshelterneedingtoforwardmessagesorinformation.

• Thefosterchoosesorisassignedanemailaddressthatdoesnotincludeanyprivateinformation;thisemailaddressisgiventopotentialadoptersdirectly.

o Theprivacyissuesareavoided,asareanyissueswiththeshelterneedingtoforwardmessages.Thefostercoordinatormayneedtocreateadatabaseofemailsandfosternamestoensurethattheinformationforthecorrectfosterisgiven.

Figure8:Thefoster'semail,whichdoesnotincludeidentifyinginformation,isgivendirectlytopotentialadoptersinthispost

ScreeningPotentialAdoptersandMakingAdoptionMatchesFostersmayneedtobetrainedinhowtocontactpotentialadopters,hostmeet-and-greetsandtalktopotentialadoptersabouttheirfosterdog.Whenashelterremovesadoptioncounselingfromtheirmarketing,itbringsinawiderrangeofadopters.Thisisagreatthingbecauseitmeansthatyouwillhaveachoiceofadopters,butitalsomeansthatsomepotentialadopterswillbewrongfortheparticulardog.

Whileincontactwithapotentialadopter,youmaywantyourfostersto:

• Askquestionsabouttheperson/familythatmayhelpyoudetermineiftheyareagoodmatchforthedog

• Pointouttheirfoster’sadorablequirks• Describeanybehavioralissuesobjectively• Keepanopenmind,butputsafetyfirst• Phonecallvs.Emailonfirstcontact

• Cannedemailaboutdogsavestimeiftherearemultipleinquiries• Attachorfollowupwithphotos,video

Ifafosteriscertainthatasafeplacementforadogisahomewithoutyoungchildren,gowithit.However,fostersmightwanttokeepanopenmindaboutotherqualitiesofadopters.Here’sanexamplethatillustrateswhy:

“Pattyhadfairlysevere,destructiveseparationanxiety,sowewerelookingforanadopterwhoworkedfromhomeorwasretired.Awomaninquiredwholivedinarentedapartmentoveraretailstore–theoppositeofwhatwewerelookingfor–butshehadaveryinterestingjob:teachingseverelyautisticchildrenusingaspecializedtechnique.Doingthistherapyrequiresanincredibleamountofproblem-solvingskillsandmotivation.Ifeltcomfortablethatshewoulddowhatevershecouldtomakeitwork,soaftermeetingher,theadoptionwasapproved.ItoldheritmightbebesttocratePattytolimitpossibledestruction.Shetookherhome,putheronProzacandleftherlooseintheapartmentwhenshewenttowork.Problemsolved.”

Ifthefosterhasthepotentialadopter’semail,theyshouldsendapolitethankyoufortheirtime,confirmanymeetingdatesandaddsomephotosorvideotheymaynothavealreadyseensothattheycangettoknowthedogbetter.

Hi!I'mJack’sprimaryfosterMomandwillbefieldingrequestsabouthim.There'sbeenalotofinterestinhim,soatthispointI'mjustlookingtogetsomeadditionalinformationfrompeopletohelpdetermineifJackwouldbeagoodfit.I’mhopingyouwon’tmindansweringafewquestionsforme.-Canyoutellmealittlemoreaboutyourhomesituation.Doyouliveinanapartment,condo,housewithayard?Howmanypeopleliveinthehouse?Anychildren?Anyotherpets?-Whatareyoulookingforinadog?Whattraitsareimportanttoyou?(i.e.anactivepuporonethat'smoresedentary.Asupercuddlydogoronewho'smoreindependent.Aplayfulpuporonewho'scalmer.)OnceI'vegonethroughalltherequestswe'llmakeadecisiononmeet&greets,mostlikelysometimenextweek.ThanksforyourinterestinJack,he'sawonderfuldogandwejustwanttotakethetimetofindtherighthomeforhim!Jenny

Figure9.Information-gatheringemailtopotentialadopter

QueueingPotentialAdoptersYou’dneverexpecttohavemorethanonepotentialadopteratonceforalong-staydog,butonceyoubeginusingthemarketingtechniquesinthismanual,you’llfindithappeningallthetime.Dogshavenointerestedpartiesformonths,butjustaweekendstayinfosterandagreatwrite-upcanopenupawholenewworldofpossibilities.Havingmorethanonepotentialadopterinquiringcanbeoverwhelmingtofosters.Additionally,potentialadopterswillthinkhighlyofyourshelteriftheyfeeltheyaretreatedfairly.Queuingpotentialadoptersisonewaytohandlethistypeofsituation.Here’sonewaytoqueuethepotentialadoptersviaemail:

• Letthemknowthere’saqueueandwhattheirplaceisinit• Givethemadate/timewhenyou’llgetbackintouch• Letthemknowofanyotherdogswhomayfittheirlifestyle

Figure10.Exampleofanemailtoqueuepotentialadopters

MeetingwithPotentialAdopters

• Behonest• Askquestions• Describeanybehavioralissuesobjectively• Controltheintroductoryprocess• Meetinglocation:

– Sheltermaynotbebestmeetinglocation(stressful)– Consideranybehavioralissues– Meetingotherdogs?– Neutrallocation

• Followup Ifthere’sanyonepieceofadvicethatwehaveforfamilieswhoareintroducingtheirfostertopeopleorotheranimals,itisthattheyMUSTremainincontroloftheintroductoryprocess.Thisiscriticallyimportantfordogswithbehavioralissuesthatmakeitnecessaryforthemtobeintroducedinaparticularwayforsafetyreasons.

AddressingBehavioralIssues

Guidelinesforfosters:• NEVERwithholdinformationaboutadog’sbehaviorfrompotentialadopters.• Discussanythingthat’slikelytocomeupwhentheyreadthepet’sfileinanobjectiveway.• Showthemtechniquesyou’vefoundthatworkwiththeirdog.• Considerschedulingmultiplemeetingsifdoghasbehavioralissuesthattheadopterwill

needtoaddress.• Makesuretheadopterseesthewholerangeofthedog’sbehaviorandknowhowto

addressanybehavioralissues.

Describeanybehavioralissuesobjectively:DON’T“He’saggressivewithotherdogswhenwewalk.”DO“Whenhe’sonaleashandanewdogcomesclose,hewillbeginbarkingandpullingtowardthem.Hewasevaluatedinplaygroupandhereallyenjoysplayingwithotherdogs,butwhenhe’sonleashandcan’tgettoanewdog,hesometimesgetsfrustrated.Wehavesomeexerciseswe’reworkingonthatarehelpingwiththis,whichI’llshowyouwhenwemeet.”

Adoption

Makeiteasyforyourfosterfamiliestoassistingettingtheirfosterpetsadopted.Makesureeachfamilyhasseveralcopiesofanyliteratureyougivetothepublicontheadoptionprocess.Whenfamiliesmeetwithdogsinfoster,theyalmostalwaysaskabouttheadoptionprocess.Whenfosteringadogwhoisseverelystressedbybeinginsidetheshelter,allowfosterstocompleteasmuchoftheadoptionprocessfromhomeaspossible.Fosterscancheckwiththeshelterpre-adoptiontomakesurethedog’svaccinationswereup-to-dateandthattheyhadbeenmicrochipped.Ifthesewereinplace,thedogwouldnotneedtoreturntotheshelterduringtheadoptionatall.Theadoptercouldgototheshelter,dotheadoptionpaperworkandpickuptheirnewfamilymemberafterward.Ifvaccinesand/ormicrochippingwerestillneeded,fosterswouldasktheadoptertocallthemabout30minutesbeforethepaperworkwascompletedandbringthedogtothesheltertogetthemthen,sparingthemwhatcouldbehoursinsidetheshelteriftherewasalonglineforadoptions.Here’sagreatexampleofbehavioralrecommendationsthatafostercreatedforanadopter:

AdopterunderstandsthefollowingwithregardtothebehavioralneedsforSaki:Astructured,predictableenvironmentisrecommendedforthisdog.Hisroutineshouldincludemultipleperiodsofexerciseandtrainingdaily,followedbyquiet,"downtime"duringwhichhecan"turnoff,"thinkabouttheday'slessons,andnotfeeltheneedtomonitorandcontrolhisenvironment.Hisfosterhomerecommendsthatthathecontinuedtobecratetrainedandthathiscratebeconsideredasafeplaceforhimtoretreat.

Sakiwilldobestifhehasadedicatedhandler;apersonwithwhomhecanbond,workfor,andwhomhecantrusttopartnerwithhimasheistryingtolearntomaintaincontroloverhimself.Sakineedstoslowlyacclimatetonewenvironments,newpeopleandotheranimals.Hisfosterhomehasobservedthatheisnaturallycuriousaboutpeopleandotherdogs,andfriendlywhenhebecomesfamiliarwiththem.Infoster,hehasshownthatheisdeferentialtohumansandhaslearnedbetterintroductionswithdogs.Sakineedspositivereinforcementwhenheinteractswithpeopleandotherdogsinanappropriatemanner.Sakihasshownnoobvioussignsofstrangerreactivityinhisfosterhome.However,becauseofhispastencounters,heneedstobeintroducedtostrangersrespectfullyandcarefully.Itisadvisedthatstructuredtrainingbecontinuedtohelphimdevelopfamiliarityandcomfortwithpeopleinthehome.Theadopterisadvisedtoconsultwithabehavioralspecialistonthisissueandfollowthetrainer’sinstructionsforintroductionstonewpeopleandchildren.Priortoformingaplanwiththebehavioralspecialist,theadopterisadvisedtolimitinteractionswithnewpeopleandtosecurethedoginaroomorcratewhennewpeopleenterthehome.ThefosterhomehasobservedthatSakidoeswellwithon-leashintroductionstonewpeopleintheyard.ThefosterhomehastrainedSakitonotreacttodoorbellsorknocksatthedoor.Theadopterisadvisedtocontinuethistraining,utilizingtheRelaxationProtocolandothermethodsrecommendedbyabehavioralspecialist.Mostimportantly,Sakirequiresstructure,routineandfamiliarity.Herequirescareful,slowintroductiontoanything"new."Theadopterisadvisedtorecognizethetypicalsignsofstressoranxietyindogs.Theseinclude:bodytensing,uprightpostureandalertness,“whaleeye,”lipspulledbacktobareteeth,growling.Adopterisadvisedtocallthedogawayfromthestimuliwhenhedisplaysthesesigns.Adopterisadvisedtonotnecessarilycorrectthedogforshowingsignsofdiscomfort,recognizingthatthedogiscommunicatingtohishandlerthroughthesesignsthatheisinanuncomfortablesituation,priortoescalation.ThefosterhomehasobservedthatSakipantsandyawnswhenanxiousorexcited,butthesearenotnecessarilysignsofdiscomfort.Theadopterisadvisedtotakenoteofthesesignsandmonitorthattheydonotescalatetothesignsofstressnotedabove.ThefosterhomehasalsoobservedthatSakigruntsinhissleep;thisshouldnotbeconfusedwithagrowlorsignofdistress.Arecommendedplanforrehomingisasfollows:

1. AdopterwilltakeSakiintotheirhomeonSaturday,February4.2. Adopterisadvisedtoprovide2-3daysofadjustmentforthedog,allowinghimto

decompressin“hisroom/space”andlimitingactivityandinteractionwithnewpeople.AdopterisadvisedtointroduceSakitohishousemateswhileonleash,andtokeepintroductionsbriefandpositiveduringthistime.

3. Duringthefirstweek,adopterisencouragedtoestablishanearlyroutineof“exercise-learnsomething-rest”inordertohelpSakiprocesshisnewenvironment.Inthefirstfewdays,“learningsomething”canbe,forexample,exploringnewareasofthehomeonleash,meetinghousematesonleash,dedicatedsessionsoftrainingin10-15minuteintervals,etc.

4. Adopterisadvisedtocontactabehavioralspecialist/trainerwithinthefirstweekandtoworkwiththemtocreateatrainingplan.TheadoptercancontactSaki’sfosterhomewithquestionsorassistancewithbehavioraltraininginthemeantime,oratanytimeafteradoption.

5. AdopterisencouragedtocontinuefollowingtheRelaxationProtocolwithSakiinhisnewenvironment,andtoutilizethistoolthroughoutthefirstthreemonthsofhisnewliving

arrangements.UponcompletionoftheRelaxationProtocol(15days),theadopterisadvisedtoperiodicallyreturntothetraining,andutilizethetrainingparticularlywhenheencountersstressfulsituationsandneedstorefocus.

6. AdopterisadvisedtocreatestructureandrulesaroundSaki’shomebehavior,andtoenforcethemconsistentlyandinsistthatallhousememberssticktothesamerules.KeepingSakionadroppedleashwhileinthehomewillhelpallhumansfeelcomfortableredirectinghimifneeded.AdopterisadvisedtouseonlypositivereinforcementtrainingwithSaki.

7. Theadopterisadvisedtocreateandfollowaplanwithherbehavioralspecialist/traineronhowtointroduceSakitostrangersinthehome.Priortotheimplementationofthisplan,adopterisadvisedtolimitvisitorstothehome.AllvisitorsshouldbenotifiedofSaki’sbehavioralconcernsandwillnotbeallowedtointeractwithSakipriortothedevelopmentofatrainingplan.Priortoimplementationofthetrainingplan,Sakiwillbecratedorotherwiseisolatedwhenvisitorsarepresent.

8. TheadopterisadvisedthatSaki’sexposureto,andinteractionswith,childrenareunknown.TheadopterisadvisedtoconsultwithabehaviorspecialistandcreateatrainingplanpriortointroducingSakitochildren.

9. TheadopterisadvisedtointroduceSakitootherdogscarefully,andbemindfulofthepotentialforterritorialbehaviorsandatendencytowardresourceguardingoffoodandhigh-valuetreatslikebonesandrawhides.Further,theadopterisadvisedtoexercisecautionwithSakiaroundcatsandtobemindfulofthepotentialofchasingandresourceguarding.TheadopterisadvisedtoconsultwithabehavioralspecialistandcreateatrainingplantoaddresstheseissuesifSakiwillbeinteractingwithotherpets.

10. IfAustinAnimalCenteragreestowaivetheadoptionfeeforSaki,theadopteragreestoputthetypicaladoptionfeeof$75towardthecostofSaki’straininganddevelopment.

Post-AdoptionSupportAmajorbenefitofhavinganimalsadopteddirectlyfromfosteristhatthefostercaregiverandadoptergettoknowoneanotherduringtheprocess.Ifadogwhohasbeeninfosterisadopteddirectlyfromtheshelter,thesheltercanputthetwointouchtodiscussthedog’sneeds.Oftenthisdevelopsintoaninformalsupportsystem.Fosterscanelecttokeepthelineofcommunicationwithadoptersopenpost-adoptionandbearesourceforthenewfamily.We’veseenadoptersaskforadviceonthingslikewheretofindagreatdogtrainerorpetsitter,whatharnessworksbestforastrongpuller,andhowtobestgoaboutsettingupaplaydatefortheirdog.Manytimes,we’veseenadopterscontactafosterwhentheyareseriouslyconsideringreturningtheirdogtotheshelter.Inmostcases,allittookwaslisteningtotheadopterandmakingafewsuggestions,andthedoghasremainedinthehome.

Here’sanexampleofadviceandrecommendationsfortheadopterofahighenergydog,whowasconsideringreturningthedog(spoileralert--theykepttheirdog!):

HiAnn,

IrealizedwhenIgotoffthephonewithyouthatImadeoneveryimportantmistake.IforgottotellyouonethingthatSagedoesthatmayseemunusualtoyou:shegrowlswhensheplays.Whenwefirstadoptedourowndog,thistraittookusawhiletogetusedto.Ifyoudon'tknowthatit’sasignalofplay,itcanbeeasilymistakenforaggression.Intime,you’llbeabletotellher‘playgrowls’fromherothertypesofvocalizations.

Itsoundedlikeyoucouldusesomeguidanceonwearingherout,asdogstendtogetintothemosttroublewhentheyareinneedtoexercise.Luckily,thereareseveralthingsyoucandototireoutadogmentallythatcanworkjustasgoodasalongwalkorrun.

-Kongtoy:Fillthiswithamixofwetanddryfood,peanutbutter,oracombinationofyourownfoodthatisokayfordogstoeat:regular&sweetpotatoes,banana,meat,peas,etc.Freezeovernightandgiveittoyourdogthenextday.Mydogsspendfrom20-60minuteswiththese,workingtogetallthefoodout.Thisprovidessomementalstimulationforthemandsomequietforyou.Makesuretodoitinthekitchenorsomewherecontainedsothatthefooddoesn’tendupinplacesit’snotallowed.

-KongWobbler:Putherdryfoodinitwhenyoufeedher,andshe’llneedtoworkbypushingtheWobbleraroundtogetthefoodbackout.Again,makesuretodoitinthekitchenorsomewherecontained.

-Foodpuzzletoys:Morewaystostimulateadog'smind.YoucanputdryfoodinaKongwobbler,andshe'llhavetoworktogetitout.http://www.firecrackerdog.com/dog-puzzles

-Training:learningsomethingnewisalsoagreatwaytostimulatethemind.

-Bones:shelovestochewonbonesandbullysticks.Youmighttrygivingheraboneuponreturntothehouseafterawalktoseeifshemightuseupthatextraenergyonit.

-Othergames:Oneoftheotherfosterslikestohangaballoonfromtheceilingonafishingline.Theirfosterwillplaywithitforhours.Lotsofdogswillalsochaselaserpointersjustlikecats;wehadafosterwholovedtochasethelaseratnightintheyardwhenitwasdark.

Ifyoudecidethatsheisnottherightmatchforyou,don’tworry;theshelterwillbehappytotakeherbackandwillprobablyhavesomerecommendationsofotherdogsthatmightbeabetterfit.PleaseletmeknowifyoudecideonthissoIcanmeetyouattheshelterandtakeherbacktofoster.

Sincerely,

Figure11.Emailtoanadopterwhowasadjustingtotheexerciseneedsofherhigh-energydog

KeepingYourFostersTofigureouthowtokeepmediumandlargeadultdogfosters,wefirstneededtofindoutwhytheydowhattheydo.WhenwesurveyedFairfaxCounty’sbehavioralfosters,nearlyallofthemmentionedsavinglivesthatmightbeendedduetokennelstressand/orthebehavioralimprovementmostdogsshowinfostercareasthemajorreasonsthattheyfoster.Herearesomeoftheiranswers:

• “We'venoticedanappreciablechangeinbehaviorindogswhoarenotadjustingwelltotheshelter.Afostersettinghelpseaseanxietyandhelpsuspinpointspecificbehavioralneeds.Thatway,notonlycanwebegintrainingandreconditioning,butwecanalsomarketthedogmoreappropriatelytofindthemostsuitablefamily.”

• “Weenjoyhelpingthedogsandasempty-nesters,wehaveaquiet,calmhomethatthedogsseemtorespondwellto.”

• “Togivethemasecondchancetheymightnototherwisehave,duetonofaultoftheirown.”

• “Iknowshelterbehavioralmostneverreflectsadog’struepersonality.Everydogdeservesthechancetobejudgedonwhotheytrulyare.”

Wealsoneededtofindoutwhataspectsoffosteringadultdogsweremostrewardingtothem.Fostercaregiversdon’tgetpaid,buttherearemanyotherreasonsthatfosteringisrewardingtothem.Findingoutwhichintangiblerewardsarethemostimportanttofostercareprovidershelpsustodesignprogramswiththeserewardsbuiltin.

Figure12.FosterSurvey:Howimportantarethefollowingintangiblerewardstoyou,onascaleof1(notimportant)to5(veryimportant)

AsyoucanseeinFigure9,thetop3mostimportantintangiblerewardsarethingsthathavenothingtodowiththeshelter,buteverythingtodowiththedog!The#4mostimportantrewardissomethingyourorganizationcando:TRUSTthem.Eventhoughexpressingthanksforafoster’shardworkisthelastonthislist,itisstillimportanttodo!Hereareafewotherofthefosters’intangiblerewards:

• “Learningmoreaboutmydogassheinteractswithafosterdog.”

• “Beingasupportsystemfortheadoptershouldtheyhavequestionsorissuesaftertheadoption.”

• “Beingabletosharethedogssuccesseswithfellowvolunteersandfostersthathaveformedarelationshipwiththatdogwhilehe/shewasattheshelter.”

• “Knowingthedogandthenewfamilyareenjoyingeachotheriseverything!”

AppendixA:Resources

BehavioralsupportCenterforShelterDogscommunicationandbodylanguagehttp://centerforshelterdogs.tufts.edu/dog-behavior/dog-communication-and-body-language/AnimalFarmFoundationdogtraininge-bookhttp://animalfarmfoundation.org/files/Dog-Training-E-Book_2014.pdfCenterforShelterDogsbehaviorproblemsandmanagementhttp://centerforshelterdogs.tufts.edu/dog-behavior/problems-and-management/HowtointroducetwodogsbyRandyMourihttp://media.wix.com/ugd/077aa8_f0e713f7d0ac4963a456ffe74fdbf9b3.pdf

FostercareforadultdogsASPCAdiscussesbehavioralfosteringforadultdogshttp://aspcapro.org/blog/2015/12/02/we-don%E2%80%99t-know-what-we-don%E2%80%99t-knowHowfosterreducedlengthofstayandincreasedadoptionsforadultdogshttp://stories.barkpost.com/shelter-dog-foster-study/Whyfosteringashelterpetisthebestthingintheworldhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/23/foster-shelter-pet_n_6720804.htmlTheeasiestwaytogetyourshelter’slongstaydogsadoptedhttps://animalfarmfoundation.wordpress.com/2016/10/25/you-might-be-overlooking-the-easiest-way-to-help-your-shelters-long-term-stay-dogs/Howfostercandecreaselengthofstayhttp://chewonthis.maddiesfund.org/2015/06/decreasing-shelter-length-of-stay/Bringingyourshyfosterdoghomehttp://www.maddiesfund.org/bringing-your-shy-foster-dog-home.htm

PostshelterdecompressionBringinghomeanewdoghttp://www.dogsoutloud.org/2013/05/so-youve-brought-home-a-new-dog-now-what/

Bringingyourshyfosterdoghomehttp://www.maddiesfund.org/bringing-your-shy-foster-dog-home.htm

DogplaygroupsDogsPlayingforLifeManualhttp://dogsplayingforlife.com/dpfl-manual/Howplayingsavedthesedogs’liveshttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/08/playing-for-life-pit-bulls_n_7226240.html

AppendixB:AustinAnimalCenterFosterCareProviderAgreementI,_____________________________,makethefollowingstatementsandvoluntarilyenterintothisFosterCareAgreement(hereinafter“Agreement”)toprovidetemporarycareasafostercaregiverfortheAustinAnimalCenter((hereinafter“AAC”).

1.________Ihaveneverbeenconvictedofanimalcruelty,neglect,orabandonment.IagreetonotifyAACifIamconvictedofanimalcruelty,neglect,orabandonmentinthefuture.2.________Iagreetocomplywithallotherfederal,stateandlocallawsthatpertaintocompanionanimalsandpetownershipinthejurisdictionwhereIreside.3.________IunderstandthatAACreservestherighttocheckonthewelfareofmyfosteranimal,whichmayincludeavisittomyfosterhome.IfurtherunderstandthatifAACfindsadirectandimmediatethreattomyfosteranimal,AACmayremovetheanimalfrommycare.4.________IacknowledgethatIhavereceivedacopyoftheAACFosterCareManual(“Manual”),andthatIhavereadtheManual.Iagreetofullycomplywiththepolicies,guidanceandrequirementssetforthintheManualasapplicabletomyfosteranimal.5.________Iagreetonottakemyfosterdog(s)ormyfostercat(s)todogparks,off-leashareas,daycarefacilities,crowdedpublicareas,oranysimilarlocations,unlessgivenpriorapprovalbytheAACFosterCoordinator.IunderstandthatIwillbesolelyresponsibleforanyinjuryordamagecausedbymyfosteranimalifIdonotcomplywiththisprovision.6.________IunderstandthatAACrecommendsthatmyfosteranimal(s)istobekeptseparatefromanyotheranimalscurrentlylivinginmyhome.IagreethatifIchoosetointroducemyfosteranimal(s)toanyotheranimallivinginmyhome,Iwillbesolelyresponsibleforanyillnessorinjurytootheranimals.7.________Iagreethattheanimal(s)thatIfosterwillresideinmyhome,willbekeptashouseholdpets,andwillnotbeusedforbreeding.8.________IagreetonotifytheAACFosterCoordinatorimmediatelybyphoneandinwritingat512-978-0541andAnimal.Foster@AustinTexas.govimmediatelyifmyfosteranimal(s)becomeslostorseparatedfromme.9.________IagreetonotifytheAACFosterCoordinatorimmediatelybyphoneandinwritingat512-978-0541andAnimal.Foster@AustinTexas.govifmyfosteranimaldemonstratesanyaggressivebehavior,including,butnotlimitedto,bitingapersonoranotheranimal.10.________IagreetoseekimmediatemedicalattentionifIambittenbymyfosteranimal,orifIreceiveanyotherphysicalinjuryresultingfrominteractionwithmyfosteranimal.Ifurtheragreetoseekimmediatemedicalattentionforanymemberofmyhouseholdwhoisbittenorsuffersanyotherphysicalinjuryresultingfrominteractionwithmyfosteranimal.11.________Iagreetoreturnmyfosteranimal(s)atanytimeupontherequestoftheAACFosterCoordinatororanyAACstaffmember.12.________Iagreetoreceiveandrespondtocallsandemailsconcerningmyfosteranimal(s),fromAAC.

AppendixC:SurveyofFairfaxCounty’sBehavioralFosters

Whatisthemainreasonyoufosterdogswithbehavioralissues?

• Togivethemasecondchancetheymightnototherwisehave,duetonofaultoftheirown.• Tohelppreparethemforlifeinahome.

• Iknowshelterbehavioralmostneverreflectsatruedogspersonality.Everydogdeservesthechancetobejudgedonwhotheytrulyare.

• Tohelpthosedogsthatwouldbemostdifficulttoadoptoutwithoutpropertrainingandtopreventpossibleeuthanasia.

• We'venoticedanappreciablechangeinbehaviorindogswhoarenotadjustingwelltotheshelter.Afostersettinghelpseaseanxietyandhelpsuspinpointspecificbehavioralneeds.Thatway,notonlycanwebegintrainingandreconditioning,butwecanalsomarketthedogmoreappropriatelytofindthemostsuitablefamily.

• Weenjoyhelpingthedogsandasempty-nesters,wehaveaquiet,calmhomethatthedogsseemtorespondwellto.

• ThedogsIfosterwithbehavioralissuesIsenseiseitherfromthestressoftheshelterenvironmentandareacompletelydifferentdogoutsideoftheshelterorassumetheyhavehadsomeabuseinthepastandjustneedtolearntotrust

• IknowIcansavethelifeofadogwhomightotherwisebeeuthanizedforshelterstressifIjustgetthemoutoftheshelter.

• tosavetheirlives..• Topossiblysavetheirlivesandgivethemabreakfromtheshelter.Alotoftheirbehaviorsmayberelatedto

kennelstresssojustgettingtheminahomeenvironmentcanmakeallthedifference!• Theyalldeserveachance.Somedogsjustdon'tdowellintheshelter• Givingdogsachance(whomightnototherwisehaveone);savingalife!Alwaysgreattoseehowdifferent

dogsareoutsideoftheshelterenvironment.• Becausetheyarethelast10%,thedogsmostinjeopardyatkillshelters.

IntangibleRewardsOnascaleof1(NotImportant)to5(VeryImportant),howimportantarethefollowingintangiblerewardstoyou?

Pleaseaddanyotherintangiblerewardsyoucanthinkofthatareimportanttoyouasafoster:

• JustknowingthatIpreparedadogforahappyeverafteriswhattrulymotivatesme.• Beingabletosharethedogssuccesseswithfellowvolunteersandfostersthathaveformedarelationship

withthatdogwhilehe/shewasattheshelter.• Seeingmydoginteractwithourshelterdog!• Themostimportantandrewardingaspectishelpingthedogfindalovingforeverhome.Knowingthedogand

thenewfamilyareenjoyingeachotheriseverything!• Beingasupportsystemfortheadoptershouldtheyhavequestionsorissuesaftertheadoption.• Learningmoreaboutmyowndogassheinteractswithafoster.

GettingFostersInvolvedOnascaleof1(NotImportant)to5(VeryImportant),howlikelywouldyoubetotakeadoghomebasedonthefollowing:

FosterCareLogisticsOnascaleof1(NotImportant)to5(VeryImportant),howimportantarethesethingstoyou?

SuggestionsforSheltersCreatingSimilarProgramsBasedonyourexperience,whatwouldbethebestway(s)forasheltertorecruitmorebehavioraland/orlong-staydogfosters?

• Providesuccessstoriesfromotherorganizationswiththisprogram.Workonhavingalargenetworkofpotentialfosterssoasnottooverwhelmthosewhoarecalledonfrequently.Iftheorganizationalreadyhasagroupofdedicatedvolunteers,perhapsbeginbyrecruitingfromthisgroup.

• Ithinkyouhaveto"grow"intofostering,sohavingnewfostershavewonderfulexperienceswithlotsofsupportwithrelativelyeasydogsfirst...thenhelpingthemacceptmoreandmorechallengingdogsastheygrowandtheirskillsincrease.

• Ithinkrecruitingvolunteerstobecomefostersisessential.Youalreadyknowtheycareaboutanimalsandiftheyseethesuccessofotherfosterstheywilltrusttheprocess.Thenthere'swordofmouth.Ifyoutreatyourfosterswellandthey'rehappytheywilllikelyrecruitforyou.

• Educationandtraining.Ithinkitwouldbeimportanttobreakdownthefosterintolevelsofneedandlevelsofdanger.Thefosterfamiliesabilityshouldmatchorexceedthatofthedog/sbeingfostered.Makingsafetythepriority.

• Grouptrainingwithaneedydog.Buildacommunity.• Thesheltercouldtargetrecentlyretiredpeopleorempty-nesters.(Afterourkidslefthome,thehousewasso

quiet.Thatiswhenwedecidedtostartfosteringdogs.)Also,seekreferralsfromexitingfostersandvolunteers.

• Createleadswhoactivelytouchbasewiththefosters

• Looktoyourbluedotdogvolunteersandothertypesoffosters(medical,puppy,etc.)whoareparticularlyskilled.

• Highlighttheprogramonsocialmediaandothermediaoutlets.• Weekendfosteringiswhatgotmehooked!Startsharingweekendfosteringadventuresandstoriesagainto

encouragemorefosterstosignup!Target"dogpeople"withcommonsense.Mostofthesedogsdon'tneedspecialfosters,justfosterswithpatiencewhogetit.Marketitaslongtermfosteringandprogressivelygivefostersmorechallengingdogsastheymasterhandlingeasierissues.Buildconfidenceinthefosters.Labelingdogsturnspeopleoffwhomightotherwisebeabletoperfectlyhandlethatdog.Gettoknowyourfostersantheirabilities

• Askexistingvolunteers/fostersforreferrals--inparticularpeoplewithnodogs/childreninthehome(fewervariablestendstomakeiteasier!).

• Recruitfromyourvolunteerpoolfirst!IstartedfosteringbehaviordogsbecauseIsawthemattheshelterwhenIwentintovolunteereveryweek.Gettingtoknowthedogsandthenalsoknowingthattheirliveswereindangerbecauseofbehaviorissues,mademewanttodosomethingmoretohelpthem.Whenpeopleformaconnectiontoananimalit'sverydifficulttothenwalkawayfromthemandnothelp.Andthesecondthingistobetransparent.LetpeopleknowWHYbehaviorfosteringissoimportant.Don'tsugarcoatit-explainthatthesearethedogsmostindangerandoftentimesiftheyaren'tfostered,theywon'tmakeitoutoftheshelter.It'sasadfactbutitISafactsodon'thideit.

Whatarethemostimportantthingsforasheltertoknowordoifthey'replanningtocreateabehavioraland/orlong-staydogfosterprogram?

• Timelycommunicationwithfostersiskey,aswellasongoingsupportforthosewithanimalsintheircare.• ThatitwillnotALWAYSbesuccessfulandtheyhavetoacceptthatwithoutmakingthefosterfeellikea

failure.Fostersfeelingliketheyarevaluedandsupportedisimportanttokeepthemcomingbackformore.• Theyneedtobe100%committed.Iftheybringonfostersanddon'tsupportthemfullytheywillnotbeable

tokeepthem.Lotsoftrainingopportunitiesandcommunicationisessential!• Ithinkwhatyouaredoingisit.Promoteit,supportit,sharesuccessstories.• Theyneedapersonor2dedicatedonlytofosterplacementandrecruitment.• Makesurethefostersunderstandhowtogethelpiftheyneedit.Theshelteralsoneedstohavean

evaluationmechanismtomakesurethatadogcansafetygotofoster,andtomatchdogswithappropriatefosters.Thefostershouldbefullyinformedofallbehaviorissues.Somedogfostershavemuchmoreexperienceinhandlingdifficultdogsthanothers.

• Tomeit'saplantorecovery/improvementoratleastahighleveloutlinedtobereviewedwiththefoster.Thiskeepseveryoneinvolvedandattemptsahighlevelunderstandingtoavoidconfusion

• Keepyourfosters'trust.Promotethedogsalotsotheygetadoptedandnewonescangointofoster.• Havetrainingandsupportprogramsinplace• Makesureyourfostershavecommonsense.Setthedogsupforsuccessintheirplacement• Havementors/advisorsavailabletohelpanswerquestionsfostersmayhave--itcanbefrustratingtofosters

whentheyfeelliketheycan'treachshelterstaffaboutaquestionorconcern(frompersonalexperience).Havealargeenoughnetworkoffosterssotheremaybeanalternativeplacementforadogifthefirstfosterdoesn'tworkout(esp.dogswhoaredoingverypoorlyintheshelterenvironment).

• Thebigthingformeistounderstandthatyourbehaviorfosterswillneedmoresupportthentheaveragefoster,sobepreparedthatitwillrequireadedicatedpersonorpersonstooverseethem.Forthemostpartyourbehaviorfostersarenotgoingtobetrainersordogbehaviorists,andwhiletheywilllikelybemoreofanexperienceddogperson,theywillstillneedsupport.TheworstthingyoucandotoafosterisgivethemadogwithissuesbutgivethemNOtoolsortrainingsupportsotheyactuallyknowhowtoworkontheissues.Also,showcaseyourfostersandtheiranimals,andcelebratetheirsuccesses.Everyonelikesathankyou,butit'sespeciallygratifyingwhenyouarerecognizedforhelpingabehaviordog.ApostonsocialmediathatFluffywasadoptedafterbeingfosteredbyJanegoesalongwaytomakefostersfeelappreciatedandvalued.

Whatshouldashelterdoinordertoretainthebehavioral/long-stayfosterstheyalreadyhave?

• Beresponsivetoandsupportiveoffosters.Buildastrongnetworkoffosterstohelpcreateasenseofteamwork.Neverforgetthatfostersopentheirhomesandcaredeeplyfortheseanimals,andareveryinvestedintheiroutcomes.

• Again,support,support,support!Thatmeansbeingtherewithanswersimmediatelyifthereisaproblemandkeepingthelinesofcommunicationopen.Ithinkifsheltersarehonestandopenwithfosterstheycreatetrustwhichiscrucial.

• Communicate!Showyourfostersthatthey'reappreciatedandthattheiropinionsmatter.Theyaresavinglivesandthatshouldbeacknowledged.

• Sameasabove.ThoughIpersonallydonotseekoutrecognitionforwhattheydo,Ifeelmanydo.Acknowledgingwhattheydoandreportingonhowtheyhelptheoverallcauseofsavinglivescanhaveabigimpactonhowpeoplefeelaboutaprogram.

• Createapositivecommunitywithopenandnon-judgmentaldialogue.• Thesheltershouldlistentothefosterswhenthedogisputupforadoption.Forexample,ifthefosterssay

"nosmallkids"thenthesheltershouldnotadoptthedogouttoafamilywithyoungkids.Thisjustsetsthedoguptofailandfrustratesthefoster.Also,thelongerthefosterhasthedog,thehighertheriskofa"fosterfail"situation.Whilethisgivesthedogagoodhome,itoftenpreventsthefamilyfromcontinuingtofoster,especiallyifthedogisselectivewithotherdogs.

• Recruitmoretrainersandcreateanopportunityforhighenergydogstohaveanopportunityoutsideofshelterruns.IknowmanytimesthedogsarejustlosingitbeingcoopedupwhichIcannotblamethem.Fulltransparencyonrolesandresponsibilitiesandvariousparticipantsleverageorsay.

• Ifadoggoesintofosterthattheshelterultimatelyisnotcomfortableadoptingout(yetthedogissafeforthecommunityinitsfosterplacement),workwiththefostertodetermineasafeplacementifatallpossible.Ifadogcanbesenttoagoodsanctuaryorarehabilitativerescue,agoodfosterwillfindawaytomakeithappen.

• Providecontinuedandconsistentsupportandtraining.• Thankthem!Followtheirsuggestions,theyknowthedogbest.MarketthosedogsinfosteraLOT!Youdon't

wantyourlongtermfostersgetttingburntout• Maybehaveregular,casualmeetings/gettogethersattheshelterorhavearegularnewslettertokeep

everyoneengaged/intheloop.OrmaybeevenhavingaseparateFacebookgroupforthesefosterstocommunicate.Forme,feelinglikeIampartingofsomething"bigger"isimportantsothiskindofthingswouldinterestme.

• Providethemthesupporttheyneedinatimelyfashion.Empowerthemtohavecontrolovertheoutcomeforthedog.It'stoughtobeabehaviorfosterknowingthattheultimatedecisionontheanimal'sfateisnotyourown.Ifadogisbeingsenttofoster,thenitshouldbewiththeassumptionthatit'stogetthedogreadyforadoption.NOTtoseeifthedog'fails'andtojustifyeuthanasia.Unlessadogisdeterminedtobedangerousorunsafewhileinfoster,theyshouldbemadeavailableforadoption.Andthefostershouldbethecriticalpartyinmakingthatdetermination.Also,encourageyourbehaviorfosterstotakebreaksinbetweenfosterssotheydon'tburnout.Buttodothatyouneedtohaveenoughfosterstotakeinthebehaviordogssothatoneortwofostersaren'tleftfeelinglikeiftheydon'ttakethedog(becausethereisnooneelsewhowill),thedogmaydie.

Whatshouldashelteravoidwhencreatingandimplementingabehavioraland/orlong-staydogfosterprogram?

• Lackoftimelyresponsivenessincommunicationandsupportcanmakeafosterfeelunappreciated,frustratedandalone.Fostersshouldalwaysbegivenarealopportunitytoprovideinputondecisionsregardingtheoutcomeforafosteranimal.

• Expectingmorefromafosterthantheyarecapableofgiving.Everyonehasstrengthsandweaknessesandtheywillneedtoknowjustwhocandowhatandforhowlong.

• Neverkeepinformationfromthefoster.Alwaystellthetruthevenifit'shard.Transparencyiskey!Youneverwanttolosesomeone'strustorputananimalinabadsituation.

• Animosity,smalltalk,gossip,etc.• Neverlieaboutknownorassumedbehavior.Don'tputkidsorotheranimalsindanger.• Lackoftransparencyonnextstepsorpossibleoutcomes.Notlisteningorincorporatingfoster

observations/inputandassumingstaffonlyknowsbest.Notworkingwithcreativealternativesandempoweringforvolunteerstocreativelyexpandtheprograms.

• Sheltersshouldavoidblindsidingfosterswithoutcomestheydon'thaveinputintoand/ordidn'texpect.Alwaysbetransparentwithfosters.

• Lackofsupport(oratleastperceived)• Morerelatedtogeneralshelterpolicies/proceduresbutsomethingshouldbedoneaboutrepeatednegative,

yetunhelpful,notesinpetpointaboutdogswithbehaviorissues.Whenpotentialfostersreadthemitcanbeconfusing/misleading.Thosenotesarealsosharedwithpotentialadopters.Agreethattotaltransparencyisneededbutnotesshouldbefact-basedanduseful.Example-BasedonAlfred'spetpointnotesafostermaynothavesteppedupbutaftertakinghimonanalldaypowerhourandreadingthewriteupMarshawaswillingtofosterhim.[Shemighthaveanyway,butknowmywriteuphelpedbalanceouthisverynegativepetpointrecord]

• Lackofsupport.Sendingdogstofosterforthewrongreasons(i.e.toseehowtheydoinordertodetermineiftheyshouldbeeuthanized).Ifabehaviordoggoestofoster,itshouldbetoreadythemforadoption.Notshowcasingthedogsandtheirfostersandhelpingtopushtogetthemadopting.

AdditionalComments*:

• Fosteringisverydeartomyheart,butIknowitisnotforeveryone.Peopleshouldfeelliketheyareneededandwantedbystaff.Growinggoodfosterstakestimeanddedication,buttheendresultsarewonderful.Noonepersoncandoitall,buttogetherfosterscandomorethanyouthoughtpossible.

• Thesheltershouldtrytoberesponsivetofostersespeciallyiftheanimalinfostercareisill.Keepingthelinesofcommunicationopenisessentialtoasuccessfulfosterprogram.

• TrulywishIwasinabetterspottofosterbehavioralfostersunfortunatelya1BRcondowithanotherdogalreadyisnottheidealarrangement!I'llcontinuetodothebluedotpowerhours/daysuntilwegetabiggerhouse!

AppendixD:MentorFormforBlueDotFosters

MentorFormforAdultDogFosters

Mentee’sName:Mentor:

Checkeachitembelowtoindicateithasbeenintroducedand/orpracticedasappropriate.Afterin-sheltertrainingsession,pleasecompletethisformandreturnittotheFosterCoordinator.Skills/TalkingPoints____Knowwhereintheshelteryoucanfindtheessentialsuppliesforyourfosterdog

• Properlyfittedmartingalecollar(2fingerrule)• EZ-walkharness• Toys–especiallyforhighenergydogs(Kong,Nylabone,etc.)• Crate–alwayshaveacrateorsomewherethatyoucansafelyleavethedogwhen

notsupervised_____Discussbehaviorsobservedintheshelterenvironmentvs.homeenvironment_____Haveaplanforintroducingthefosterdogtocurrentdog(s)inhome

• Knowyourdog’splaystyle• Slowintroduction/monitorbodylanguage• Longwalkwithcurrentdog(s)• Leaveleashonuntilcomfortable• Limitfreeaccesstotoys/bones• Haveplanforkeepingseparateifneedbe(crate,separaterooms,etc.)

_____Alwayskeepdogseparatefromcatsorothersmallanimal(s)inthehome–catsandsmallanimalsshouldhaveanescaperouteandsafeplacetorelax

_____Understandthatsomedogstakelongertodecompresswhentransitioningfromsheltertohome

• Haveplantoburnoffnervousenergy• Givethemspaceandtimetorelax• Don’toverstimulate

_____Understandseparationanxietyandhowtomanageand/orworkonthebehavior• Isawareofthebenefitsofcratetraining/useandhowtodevelopapositive

relationship• Protectyourpersonalbelongings–don’tleaveafearfuldoglooseinyourhome

alone_____Understandhowtoworkwithjumpy/mouthy/highenergydogs

• Basictrainingskillset(sit,stay,down,look,touch,recall)• Havehelpfultools(Kongs,laserpointer,metalleash,playnosegames)• Don’toverstimulate/usetimeouts• Practicetakingatleastonejumpy/mouthy/highenergydogoutofthekennelfor

walking/playtime_____Discusshowtoworkwithfearfuldogs

• Slowandsteady• Buildtrust• Recognizebodylanguage• Workonintroducingdogtonewpeopleandsituations• Watchexits!Fearfuldogscanbeflightrisks• Practicetakingatleastonefearfuldogoutofthekennelforwalking/playtime

_____Knowswhattodowithaleashreactivedogifoutonwalks(e.g.,getattention/treats,turnand

avoidconflicts/engage-disengagegame,etc.)• Practicetheseskillswithatleastoneshelterdog

_____Isawareofresourceguardingandhasskillsettomanageand/orworkonissue• Removetheresource(toys,food,etc.)especiallyifotheranimalsarearound• Traderesourcefortreats/praise(practicethistechniquewithatleast1shelter

dog)• Safetyfirst!trainingvs.provoking(don’t‘test’foodguardingbystickinghandin

dog’sfoodbowl)_____Isawareoftechniquestoseparatedogsifinvolvedinconflict(ownpetsorasonwalks)_____Knowthatyou’renotaloneandthereareresourcestohelp–don’tbeafraidtoask!!!

• Fostercoordinator• Behavioralstafforotherbehavioralsupport• Adultdogfostermentor• Theshelter’sFacebookvolunteer/fostergroup

_____Understandingofproceduresforadoptingfromfostercareandtheproperwaytointroducingfosterdogtopotentialadoptersandotherpet(s)inthehome• Whattodowhenmorethanoneadopterwantstomeetthedog• Wheretomeet(sheltermaynotbethebestplacetoshowthedog)• Howtotalkaboutthefosterwithpotentialadopters

_____Knowswhattodoincaseofemergencyandhavephonenumbersprogrammedintoyourphone

• Alwayshaveyourfosterdog’sshelterID#withyou!• Fostercoordinator-call____________________________________• Medicalemergency-call_____________________________________• Bitereport–call_______________________________________• Lostdog–call______________________________________

FeedbackInyouropinion,doesthisconditionaladultdogfoster:

1) Listentoinput/followadviceandshowgoodindependentproblemsolvingskills?___Yes___NoIfno,why:_______________________________________________________________________

2) Askquestionswhenhe/sheseemsconfused?___Yes___NoIfno,why:_______________________________________________________________________

3) Followallsafetyproceduresandguidelines?___Yes___NoIfno,why:_______________________________________________________________________

4) Understandthathe/sheneedstoobservebehavior?___Yes___NoIfno,why:_______________________________________________________________________

5) Needanothermentoringsession?___Yes___NoIfyes,why:______________________________________________________________________

6) Handlewalkingbig,energeticdogswell?___Yes___NoWhyorwhynot?_________________________________________________________________

7) Othercommentsorconcerns:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Checkeachitembelowtoindicateithasbeenintroducedand/orpracticedasappropriate.Afterin-sheltertrainingsession,pleasecompletethisformandreturnittotheFosterCoordinator.Skills/TalkingPoints____Knowwhereintheshelteryoucanfindtheessentialsuppliesforyourfosterdog

• Properlyfittedmartingalecollar(2fingerrule)• EZ-walkharness• Toys–especiallyforhighenergydogs(Kong,Nylabone,etc.)• Crate–alwayshaveacrateorsomewherethatyoucansafelyleavethedogwhen

notsupervised_____Discussbehaviorsobservedintheshelterenvironmentvs.homeenvironment_____Haveaplanforintroducingthefosterdogtocurrentdog(s)inhome

• Knowyourdog’splaystyle• Slowintroduction/monitorbodylanguage• Longwalkwithcurrentdog(s)• Leaveleashonuntilcomfortable• Limitfreeaccesstotoys/bones• Haveplanforkeepingseparateifneedbe(crate,separaterooms,etc.)

_____Alwayskeepdogseparatefromcatsorothersmallanimal(s)inthehome–catsandsmallanimalsshouldhaveanescaperouteandsafeplacetorelax

_____Understandthatsomedogstakelongertodecompresswhentransitioningfromsheltertohome

• Haveplantoburnoffnervousenergy

• Givethemspaceandtimetorelax• Don’toverstimulate