Visitors, Dog Parks, and Social Settings

Bringing a foster dog home sounds like so much fun! You may be tempted to immediately invite family and friends over to meet the dog the first day. We're going to give you the same advice we hope you will give your adopters. Even for the MOST well-adjusted dog, every change in environment is a shock to the system. You will probably not see their true personality the first night they are in your home, and this is NOT the time to show them off. Please allow them time to settle in, learn your routine, and give them a chance to show you their true colors. It's no fun when that sweet loving pup you met at the shelter is scared and upset being in a new place and growls or snaps at your tall dad in his hat and sunglasses and makes your family wonder off the bat why you decided to foster these mean dogs, etc.

We strongly encourage that after you have gotten to know your new foster dog or puppy for a few days or so, you begin having them meet non-household members slowly in a controlled setting (NOT while you're cooking dinner, NOT while people are drinking, NOT while kids are running around with them in the backyard, etc.) Hopefully this will be easy and go off fantastically, but if it doesn't, you get a chance to learn your new foster dog's limitations and even more about what will be the right permanent home setting for them. If your foster dog is nervous when some visitors come to the home (and especially when people are coming in and out for short times, repair people are visiting, etc.), feel free to use your friend, the crate! This is a great opportunity for the dog ideally to learn that "when new people come in, even if they're a little bit scary, I get my favorite Nylabone in my crate, this great kong with cheese in the bottom of it under carrots, etc., etc." and help them make positive associations slowly.

In general, we discourage taking GPG dogs to dog parks. Even if your particular GPG dog is the absolute cream of the crop and totally dog-park-proven, unfortunately you can't trust the OTHER PEOPLE. Due to the popular conception of dogparks in the U.S., people frequently both bring dogs to dog parks whose temperaments are inappropriate for these settings AND fail to supervise dogs properly in these settings. That nice couple down the street got a new dog last week with the BEST intentions, and in their house it seems fantastic and easy, but they haven't learned yet that it guards balls practically to the death from other dogs. They take it to the dog park with YOUR wonderful foster (who is likely a pit bull), a fight breaks out because your foster has the ball, and who will the neighborhood look at sideways after this interaction? Probably the rescue dog, the foster dog, regardless of whether it is their fault. In addition, this negative experience may possibly have lasting psychological consequences for your foster dog.

Although this section is about how to help dogs get along with other dogs (and people), it's also a good idea to have some tools in your belt for when things go wrong. Whether your foster dog is living with you in a household with one or more other dogs, or you are taking your dog to play with other dogs at places outside the home, it can really help your confidence to know what to do if things go wrong. Few "dog people" have never experienced two or more dogs having a disagreement. If you're lucky, squabbles are minor, but sometimes they escalate quickly. Feel free to ask any GPG staff how they personally handle these situations. Many people choose to keep items such as Pet Corrector, shaker cans (aluminum cans with a few pennies in them taped shut), shaker jugs (a plastic milk jug filled with small rocks, etc.), or air horns on hand for these situations. If two dogs actually begin fighting, you can use one or more of these distraction items in an attempt to interrupt them. You can also use a hose, buckets of water, or an object you can rapidly shove in between them to separate them (think baby pools, laundry baskets, lawn chairs, etc.) Do NOT reach in and grab the dogs or their collars if you can possibly avoid it. You are VERY likely to get bitten if you do, as dogs are usually biting at ANYTHING around them without paying any attention to what. We really don't want it to be your hand.

A good idea is to find friends (within or outside of GPG) who are relatively dog-savvy and have one or more well-socialized dogs ideally who have play styles compatible with your foster (see dogs playing for life) and set up times to have dog gatherings in a fenced yard, a dog park that isn't currently being used by other dogs, etc. and keep your foster dog socialized in this manner. Our training team also plans pack walks and monthly socialization events if you would like to socialize your dog in a controlled setting. Email training@gatewaypets.org if you would like more information.