Do you foster dogs?

Thinking about bringing another dog into your home?

As a dog owner times 3 plus foster Mom for a dog rescue, I have found that it is extremely important for me to not only understand my own dogs’ behavior but it’s equally valuable to anticipate how they will react when another new foster ‘kid’ comes on the scene. That’s where “The New Better Behavior in Dogs” by William E. Campbell made a big difference in my life!

Recognizing what the author calls ‘fundamental dog talk’ and acting accordingly can squelch what often becomes a full-blown, hair-raising, nitty-gritty dogfight. Knowing my dogs’ usual behavior when a rescue dog comes to stay has helped immensely in how we humans react during that all-important, ‘setting-the-tone’ introductory phase. It is making all the difference in the outcome!

In chapter 13, “Babies, New Pets and Dogs”, Campbell addresses the newcomer issue with steps to take to prepare one’s own pets for the intrusion into their domain. As Campbell says, “a happy dog is a curious dog”. They want to investigate the new arrival and it’s not wise to deny this normal behavior. Scolding or removing one’s own pet because of our own human fears can result in some really unpleasant behavior, such as urinating in the house. Jealousy erupts when your dog associates the new arrival with his disapproval or worse, rejection.

Campbell’s approach is – Prepare! Prepare! Prepare! If you can prepare your dog for a change, such as scheduling feeding time a half hour later, walking and grooming earlier than usual, the big change should be easier to accept.

I’ve tried his tips and find that my own 3 dogs seem to accept the foster ‘kids’ a lot more readily now, and I’ve eliminated some other unwanted behavior just using information gleaned from Campbell’s book.

Has anyone else found this book helpful? Any more hints and tips to help the ‘live-in’ dogs better cope with foster dogs?

The book, “The New Better Behavior in Dogs” is available through Alpine Publications.www.alpinepub.com. 800-777-7257.