The Effects of Foster Care on Dogs
Dog rescue organizations depend on a network of foster homes to care for dogs awaiting their "forever" homes. While a foster dog can be overwhelmed at first, the effects of good foster care usually result in a healthy, confident dog for the right family. Much depends on the dog's background and needs and the competence of the foster home.
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Health Effects
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Some dogs need medical attention and recuperation while in foster care. They may have been injured, need to be treated for heartworms or other illnesses, or be malnourished. Rescue organizations pay for medical care, while the foster home is responsible for ensuring the dog is healthy enough to be adopted. At the very least, many foster dogs need vaccinations, and most rescues require that they be spayed or neutered.
Training
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Many foster dogs are relinquished through no fault of their own but because their family's circumstances don't allow them to keep the dog. These dogs are often house trained and have basic manners. However, other dogs were kept outside or were pulled from puppy mills and have little training. The foster home provides training basics, making sure the dog is house broken, can walk on a leash and knows basic manners, like not jumping up on people or being destructive in the house.
Grooming
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Dogs that come into the rescue system often need grooming--and they need to learn how to be groomed. A foster home will make sure that their nails are trimmed, that they learn to enjoy being brushed and bathed, and that they get used to having their ears and mouths handled.
Confidence
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Some dogs come into foster care with little trust in humans, and these dogs can be very shy or aggressively defensive at first. These dogs often require patience and gradual, positive exposure to different people so they learn the world can be a safe place. Many dogs blossom in foster care as they learn play skills and how to be affectionate and outgoing.
Social Skills
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Foster homes can evaluate how the dog is with children, strangers, and other pets. This is valuable information for most potential adopters because they often need to know how the dog will get along with their other pets, or whether she'll be safe around children. An experienced foster home can sometimes work with a dog to get it used to different situations. Because some dogs will never be reliably safe around cats, for instance, the foster home will advise cat-owning adopters that this may not be the best dog for them.
Negative Effects
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Placing a rescue dog in the wrong foster home can be disastrous. A very shy or aggressive dog in a home with multiple other pets and people could be overwhelmed and will act out, often by biting or becoming even more afraid. A good rescue will screen their foster homes, making sure the people are knowledgeable about basic dog safety and behavior and that the dog is only placed in a suitable home.
Delayed Reaction
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Experienced foster homes understand that many dogs "keep to themselves" at first, often seeming withdrawn. Within a week or two, their behavior changes as they become confident enough to let their true personality show. The effects of gentle, firm and consistent treatment from the moment the dog walks through the door manifest as the dog gains confidence and becomes a more secure and adoptable dog.
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