fostering for a Dog’s Life

The Foster Dog’s Experience

Dogs’ behaviour, due to the stress of moving and environmental change, may become inhibited or, in some dogs, more demonstrative and frenetic. Regardless of which extremes we see, the dog requires help and support, and we must work hard to prevent unwanted behaviour and negative associations becoming any more established.
Fostering is not a passive exercise and we will support you in developing the right skills and knowledge so that you can help our dogs.  

 In the first weeks in their foster home, we are likely to see disturbances to behaviour, as a result of this stress, leading to issues that include:

•  housetraining – even if the dog appeared toiled trained previously, moving is likely to affect this and they will need help

• barking and vocalising – this normal behaviour may be seen excessively or in odd contexts and is associated with stress

• “reactivity” – barking, lunging, excitable behaviour directed toward other dogs, people, traffic etc. This can be largely prevented if we are careful early on.

• separation related behaviour – distress related behaviour at being separated from you is quite normal, even though your foster dog has known you for only a short time

• shyness or fearful behaviour – even though you have welcomed your new foster dog into your home, the dog doesn’t understand this; take your time, take it slow, take the pressure off

Because we know this is likely to happen, we must prevent so these behaviours never become a big issue. That’s why we will support and guide you in working through an entire foster course for you and a training/behaviour program for your foster dog.

 We ask our foster carers to:

• provide security, consistency and day-to-day care for our dog

• understand that these dogs are ‘unknown’, that they need your support and guidance and at least four weeks during which they can recover from the stress of their pound experience and previous life, before we really know them and their tendencies

• be confident to handle, care for and implement specific training and enrichment guidance with the dog, as instructed

• have time and means to transport the dog to veterinary and training appointments; please let us know in advance if this is not possible so that we can arrange transport

• monitor the health of the dog and deliver medical treatment as outlined by our vets

• implement only the training, lifestyle and behaviour interventions that have been advised by A Dog’s Life

• be able to spend much time with the foster dog, especially during the settling in and adjustment period

• use training and behaviour equipment and techniques under the guidance and instruction of our training/behaviour consultant

• to provide regular feedback and updates on the dog’s progress

• contact us immediately with any questions or concerns

• understand that the dog remains under the care of A Dog’s Life at all times and as such, all decisions made about the care, placement, treatment and future of the dog will be final and undertaken via policies and procedures of A Dog’s Life.

 Fostering FAQs

What does a foster home do?
A foster home is a temporary placement for a dog on its ways to its new home. A foster home offers more than mere shelter or food but provides support and guidance to help proactively prepare the dog for a new home.

Who covers expenses?
We will cover all veterinary and training/behaviour support, as well as making sure you have all the bits and pieces to keep your foster dog happy and healthy, including collar, lead, food, toys, crate and so on.

How long will foster care be needed?
In general, a short-term foster will be about 4-8 weeks long. This allows for sufficient time for the dog to be neutered and recover, and to help the dog settle in so we can get to them a little better.
But most foster placements will be more long-term, with the dog staying with you for longer. This helps us spend some time finding the best forever home for the dog, complete any required medical care and implement vital behaviour programs.

 What kind of training do I need to become a foster carer?
We want our fosters to have a strong commitment to helping dogs in need and an interest in training and dog behaviour is essential. The confidence and ability to handle, care for and exercise dogs is also necessary.

 What should I do to prepare?
Once approved to foster through our application process, you will be provided with our Fostering Guide & Handbook, and given access to our online Fostering Course (through a Facebook group) and be expected to review these and agree to implement the procedures within. This will help you understand exactly what you are getting into and how best to help our dog.
You will be supported and guided on an ongoing basis by our training/behaviour consultant.

Can I choose the dog I want to foster?
We will only place a dog in foster care if we think that it will be a successful match. Usually we will ask you to foster a specific dog in need that we believe will work well with your individual skills and particular situation.

Can I adopt or find a home for my foster dog?
We will take care of rehoming our dogs. It is unacceptable to relocate any foster dog of ours and doing so will breach microchipping legislation. If you know someone interested in adopting your foster dog, talk to us first, don’t promise them anything and ask them to go through the adoption process.

Dogs needing Fostering

We don’t have any dogs that need fostering right now, but if you think you would like to foster for us, please apply below. Sometimes we don’t have a lot of notice to plan for a dog in need, so we like to have some fosters in reserve.

You applying and going through the process means we will have you ready to go as soon as we have a suitable dog who needs help.

Fostering Criteria

To foster with A Dog’s Life, carefully consider the Fostering Criteria below and hit apply to complete the Fostering Application form. These criteria have been developed after over a decade rehoming dogs and in consultation with AniEd.

 All applications are subject to a homecheck and we will only process applications that are in compliance with the Fostering Criteria below.

• The person fostering the dog must be at least 21 years old and will be the point of contact throughout the fostering period.

• It is preferred that foster carers live in Dublin, Meath, Kildare or Wicklow. This allows for continued training/behaviour support throughout the fostering period. While it is preferred that foster carers have their own transport suitable to safely transporting the dog, this is not essential.

• Dogs in foster care must live as part of the family, in the house with you and not confined outdoors for long periods, overnight or regularly. We require that foster carers be at home with the dog much of the time so that our behaviour program can be implemented, and we can gather as much information about the dog as possible.

• Where an applicant is not the home-owner (e.g. in rented accommodation, living with parents etc.), we may request written permission from the landlord/home owner confirming that the dog is permitted to live there.

• Where a boundary is relevant, it must be solid, safe, secure and dog-proof; ‘invisible’/shock fences are not acceptable.

• You must agree to work our trainer in implementing a specific training/behaviour program throughout the fostering period.

• Foster dogs will often come from unknown backgrounds. As such, it is recommended that your own dog/s be fully vaccinated and in good health.
  It is preferred that your own dogs are neutered; most of our dogs will come from the pound and are usually unneutered so it’s often easier for the resident dogs to be neutered.
  A Dog’s Life accepts no responsibility should your own dog/s become ill or injured as a result of direct or indirect contact with foster dogs.  

• It is essential that you follow the guidance provided to you regarding your foster dog’s health and behaviour via the Fostering Guide.
  As a foster carer, you are undertaking to carefully manage and supervise your foster dog at all times and in agreeing to foster, accept all responsibility for that dog and its behaviour. A Dog’s Life will not be held liable for any injury, loss or damages sustained by you or a third party or caused by the dog.

• A Dog’s Life reserves the right to refuse any fostering application.