I foster dogs for an agency here in NYC and so far I have had 4 dogs. All have been of completely different ages, breeds, and temperments and at times it has been really challenging...like my current foster is exhibiting aggression.

Recently, I was giving an update to the person who runs the rescue organization about my current Rottweiler foster and she expressed frustration over a dog being returned back to the agency for aggression. The dog being returned was a 3-5 year old shepherd mix and exhibited no aggression in its foster home, where it lived for about 3 weeks, but was being returned from its "forever" home b/c the new owner thought the dog was unstable.

Now, this person that newly adopted this dog thought it was a good idea to establish "pack order" by giving and taking away its food bowl while it was eating....the dog apparently showed teeth and growled. This person also invited everyone over to their place to see the new addition to the family inundating it with new stimulus and the dog wasn't aggressive, but wasn't "friendly" either. Then, this person also took the dog to the Vet, which we know is incredibly stressful for some animals, and the dog snapped at the vet....even though the dog just received a full physical, blood work, vaccinations, and microchip that the agency pays for the new person adopting the animal wanted to take the dog to their own vet.

The person who runs the agency was frustrated that this person did everything WRONG in establishing a good environment for the new dog to get comfortable and would like to give new people that adopt dogs a sort of list of what to do and what not to do. Basically, the dog is now getting shuffled from its original home, dumped at the shelter, then lived in nice foster home, taken to a new home, and then dumped again to be put in the same foster home.

I'm trying to help her write up a list of what to do and what not to do when you bring a shelter dog home as they are different from other dogs as many have been through quite an ordeal. Things that I've thought of:

1) Make sure you have a crate, a safe haven for the dog to go to and feel secure and feed the dog inside the crate at least until it has become acclimated to its new surrounding. Please remember that you are this dog's 3rd or 4th home in less than 6 months.
2) Although it might be tempting to invite friends, family over to view and greet your new pet, please avoid doing so until your has adjusted to you and your routine.
3) Keep your dog on a consistent routine
4) Please do not bring your dog to a veterinarian unless there is an actual medical reason to do so. All dogs have been recently examined, blood work performed, and all vaccinations current with microchip and if you have any questions you may call Dr. _________ about the paperwork given to you at the time of adoption.

I know there are probably a million other things I should add? Suggestions?

I would add that to introduce your new dog to other dogs and children right away is a mistake. And to make sure children are supervised when around the new dog. Sometimes children do not understand they are smothering a dog with attention..which a new dog may not like.
I would add not to try and take the food away from the dog to establish that they are the leader.
Perhaps you could use the establishing pack structure video from ed to help you write up the guidelines. per ed of course.
I think what you have is a good start. Especially reminding them the dog has been moved around alot and probably scared and confused.
Just my input
God bless you

Gloria I like what you have so far.

Integrating pack structure into their routine and interactions with the dog will also be great. NILIF mentality.

Tethering a dog to you when it is not in the crate is EXCELLENT for bonding and pack structure.

Limit walks to a bare minimum or none at all until the dog is bonded with the owners. Unless they live in an apartment, then the walk should be in a specific area close to home that becomes part of the territory and a comfortable area for the dog. I wait to take a dog on an official walk until 2-3 weeks after I get the dog. This is of course only if I have a yard. For exercise purposes with no yard it gets tricky. That would have to be tailored to the new owners - having a yard or not for exercise. If no yard, taking to a designated area/same place every time is recommended until the dog has a bond.

No public outings like pet stores. Keep the dog at home as much a possible to develop a bond and trust and minimize stress.

Ah I will probably think of more as I think back to the dogs I've taken in.

I hope this is alright. Someone just asked about what to do when bringing home a rescue dog, so I condensed and posted this information. Is that against the rules? I'm really sorry if it is. Here is what I posted:

This is advice I saw posted on another forum about bringing home a shelter dog, it may apply here too:

** text deleted **


Hope this helps!

 Quote: Shody Lytle

I hope this is alright. Someone just asked about what to do when bringing home a rescue dog, so I condensed and posted this information. Is that against the rules? I'm really sorry if it is. Here is what I posted:

This is advice I saw posted on another forum about bringing home a shelter dog, it may apply here too:
** TEXT DELETED**

Hope this helps!

Do I understand that you are cross-posting YOUR OWN WORDS? If they are your own words, then yes, it's OK.

So I will delete and save your list, and if you will PM me about it, we'll replace the text as long as there's no posting of someone else's site without credit-and-URL. Thanks.

Thanks Connie, and sorry for any confusion! I heard back from all involved, and all is well! Permission granted! Here is the compiled list of sugesstions for a shelter/rescue dog:

1 ) Make sure you have a crate, a safe haven for the dog to go to and feel secure and feed the dog inside the crate at least until it has become acclimated to its new surrounding. Please remember that you are this dog's 3rd or 4th home in less than 6 months.
2 ) Although it might be tempting to invite friends, family over to view and greet your new pet, please avoid doing so until your dog has adjusted to you and your routine.
3 ) Keep your dog on a consistent routine
4 ) Introducing your new dog to other dogs and children right away is a mistake. Better to wait until he starts to get a little comfortable with you and his new surroundings. Make sure children are supervised when around the new dog. Sometimes children do not understand they are smothering a dog with attention..which a new dog may not like.
5 ) Do not to try and take the food away from the dog to establish that you are the leader. A fair pack leader would never do this.
6 ) Tethering the dog to you when it is not in the crate is EXCELLENT for bonding and pack structure. It goes with the "nothing in life is free" NILIF philosophy. You are the leader and make all the decisions for the dog.
7 ) Limit walks to a bare minimum or none at all until the dog is bonded with you. I wait to take a dog on an official walk until 2-3 weeks after I get the dog. Unless you live in an apartment, then the walk should be in a specific area close to home that becomes part of the territory and a comfortable area for the dog. If no yard, taking to a designated area/same place every time is recommended until the dog has a bond.
8 ) No public outings like pet stores or dog parks. Keep the dog at home as much a possible to develop a bond and trust and minimize stress.

Thanks, Shody

Just to be clear, the list is a compilation of posts from forum folks on this thread.