MASR fostering Frequently asked questions
If you have any medical concerns or behavioural concerns with your foster dog, please don't hesitate to contact our medical coordinator or our training and behaviour coordinator via the email addresses below:
[email protected] [email protected] You may also contact either our medical coordinator our training and behaviour coordinator via the Facebook foster page. foster faqs
Q: My new foster is refusing to poop or pee. What should I do?
A: Just wait! Lack of poop for the first couple of days after a foster comes in (or moves) is completely normal. If the dog has no poop for longer than two days, let an admin know and get their approval to give the dog a bit of canned pure pumpkin (no spices). Lack of pee is also normal, but make sure the dog is drinking. This is a problem if the dog goes longer than about a day, so give them plenty of opportunities to do so, then talk to an admin. |
Q: My new foster is refusing to eat.
A: This is also completely normal! Many dogs will not eat when they are stressed (lack of eating will also contribute to the lack of poop.) At MASR we never free feed our dogs and we recommend feeding twice a day, morning and evening (puppies more often). Offer the dog its food, leave it for about ten or fifteen minutes. If the dog does not eat, take it up, wait until supper, and offer it again. Dogs do not starve themselves. When the dog gets hungry enough it will eat. If refusal to eat continues for more than 2-3 days, try pouring some low sodium chicken broth over-top of the food. Only do this for one or two meals so the dog does not become picky if the broth isn't there.
Q: My new foster is whining and crying or won't go into the crate.
A: Most of the dogs that come in are not used to being crated. Please follow the instructions in the crate training document. If the dog won't go in, do it when they are hungry and get better food. If the dog whines or cries, move them into your room but ignore them and above all don't let them out. Be proactive about crate training!
Q: My new foster is trying to chase my cat/not getting along with my dog.
A: Please read the adult foster dog document and follow the instructions about introducing the dog to other animals to the letter. The time period of a week, even if you think everyone is fine, is VERY important as is the tethering. In many cases you only get one really good shot at doing this right. Take the first week to introduce them properly. If you have problems after you have followed these instructions, keep the dog tethered or crated and talk to an admin.
Q: My dog and the foster dog are fighting over toys or bones or food.
A: It is very important that dogs never have anything they could get possessive over when they are around each other, for at least a month if not more. Feed the dogs in separate rooms and keep toys of any kind out of the equation when they are together. This is normal dog behaviour so please follow this guideline.
Q: My dog seems a little 'off', maybe not as energetic today or maybe they have a cut or bruise. When should I talk to an admin?
A: Even if it doesn't seem like a serious medical issue, please let our medical coordinator know right away! Things like diarrhea can mean nothing or could be a symptom of a deadly disease. No question is a stupid question.
Q: My foster dog has diarrhea. What do I do?
A: First, let our medical coordinator know immediately. She will give you further instructions. Then, relax. Usually diarrhea is normal stomach upset for a variety of reasons and will not be a serious issue.
Q: What are the rescue's rules about walks?
A: We LOVE walks! When you get a new foster, talk to our medical coordinator about when vaccines will take effect and the dog can be walked. Until then, lots of backyard play. When you get to take your dog for a walk, the three biggest rules are: Don't let the dog meet any strange dogs, keep the dog on leash, and don't take your foster to the dog park. We love our foster dogs, but for everyone's safety, don't trust them! We're just getting to know them. If you have a puppy, they can’t have a ton of exercise!
Q: I'm having trouble with my dog trying to herd me, nipping, pulling on leash, barking at other dogs, or any other behavioural issues.
A: Most of these behaviours stem from the dog not knowing what to do, testing you, excitement, a need for leadership, or stress. Tag our trainer in a post in the foster group and she will help you out.
Q: My puppy is biting and chewing everything!
A: Get some washcloths or tug toys, wet them, and freeze them. Your puppy is probably teething and their gums hurt. Supervise the puppy at all times if they are not crated and keep all chewable objects off the floor. If the puppy chews something he shouldn't, it is not his fault. When the puppy nips you or other family members, a sharp no and giving them a toy instead is the best thing to do. If it continues...crate them for a half hour to give yourself a break. Then, be patient. It's going to take a while for them to stop. German Shepherds and Shepherd crosses are known as landsharks for a reason.
A: This is also completely normal! Many dogs will not eat when they are stressed (lack of eating will also contribute to the lack of poop.) At MASR we never free feed our dogs and we recommend feeding twice a day, morning and evening (puppies more often). Offer the dog its food, leave it for about ten or fifteen minutes. If the dog does not eat, take it up, wait until supper, and offer it again. Dogs do not starve themselves. When the dog gets hungry enough it will eat. If refusal to eat continues for more than 2-3 days, try pouring some low sodium chicken broth over-top of the food. Only do this for one or two meals so the dog does not become picky if the broth isn't there.
Q: My new foster is whining and crying or won't go into the crate.
A: Most of the dogs that come in are not used to being crated. Please follow the instructions in the crate training document. If the dog won't go in, do it when they are hungry and get better food. If the dog whines or cries, move them into your room but ignore them and above all don't let them out. Be proactive about crate training!
Q: My new foster is trying to chase my cat/not getting along with my dog.
A: Please read the adult foster dog document and follow the instructions about introducing the dog to other animals to the letter. The time period of a week, even if you think everyone is fine, is VERY important as is the tethering. In many cases you only get one really good shot at doing this right. Take the first week to introduce them properly. If you have problems after you have followed these instructions, keep the dog tethered or crated and talk to an admin.
Q: My dog and the foster dog are fighting over toys or bones or food.
A: It is very important that dogs never have anything they could get possessive over when they are around each other, for at least a month if not more. Feed the dogs in separate rooms and keep toys of any kind out of the equation when they are together. This is normal dog behaviour so please follow this guideline.
Q: My dog seems a little 'off', maybe not as energetic today or maybe they have a cut or bruise. When should I talk to an admin?
A: Even if it doesn't seem like a serious medical issue, please let our medical coordinator know right away! Things like diarrhea can mean nothing or could be a symptom of a deadly disease. No question is a stupid question.
Q: My foster dog has diarrhea. What do I do?
A: First, let our medical coordinator know immediately. She will give you further instructions. Then, relax. Usually diarrhea is normal stomach upset for a variety of reasons and will not be a serious issue.
Q: What are the rescue's rules about walks?
A: We LOVE walks! When you get a new foster, talk to our medical coordinator about when vaccines will take effect and the dog can be walked. Until then, lots of backyard play. When you get to take your dog for a walk, the three biggest rules are: Don't let the dog meet any strange dogs, keep the dog on leash, and don't take your foster to the dog park. We love our foster dogs, but for everyone's safety, don't trust them! We're just getting to know them. If you have a puppy, they can’t have a ton of exercise!
Q: I'm having trouble with my dog trying to herd me, nipping, pulling on leash, barking at other dogs, or any other behavioural issues.
A: Most of these behaviours stem from the dog not knowing what to do, testing you, excitement, a need for leadership, or stress. Tag our trainer in a post in the foster group and she will help you out.
Q: My puppy is biting and chewing everything!
A: Get some washcloths or tug toys, wet them, and freeze them. Your puppy is probably teething and their gums hurt. Supervise the puppy at all times if they are not crated and keep all chewable objects off the floor. If the puppy chews something he shouldn't, it is not his fault. When the puppy nips you or other family members, a sharp no and giving them a toy instead is the best thing to do. If it continues...crate them for a half hour to give yourself a break. Then, be patient. It's going to take a while for them to stop. German Shepherds and Shepherd crosses are known as landsharks for a reason.