First foster dog arrives today!!!

[mind77]

Sorry, just needed to share as I'm so exited:o :o I'm not really a regular on this site so hope thats ok!! There seems to be some fantastic advice on here so sure I will be on here alot more picking people's brains:o
My dog can be a little grumpy bugger sometimes when initially meeting dogs so I hope he behaves himself I have visions at the moment of the rescue lady refusing to let foster dog stay if he has one of his growly/air snappy moments even though I have warned her in advance

[digerd]

Do you know the character of your foster dog? They must have told you about him/her. Perhaps it's a laid back gentle giant your dog will respect.

[D0oinMeCleanin]

My dog is also a grump when he meets new dogs. The foster lady simply asked if he'd bite her if she put a lead on him. On went the house lead and he was removed from the room every time he had a grump until he was quiet. She stayed for an hour had a cuppa and waited for things to settle down.

[mind77]

He's here:) digerd He is a lovely character. A little Jack Russell. They had him for a 2 week assessment before he came to us. Loves dogs and people, very friendly!! So skinny though, you can see his rib cage:( and no training so starting afresh really.
My dog was an absolute sod though. Started snarling and lunging He is coming round now though. He is in between watching him from the back of the settee looking very hacked off to running around completely hyper and trying to play!!
Poor dog though. One of his legs is a very bent shape from where it has been broken at some point and he has scars on the top of his head. I dread to think how they got there:(

[digerd]

Oh, my eyes are filling up with tears about your foster dog, being so cruelly neglected and so skinny, broken leg that healed badly as not treated and scars on the top of his head, but still lovely and friendly. How anybody could treat a lovely little dog like that is not human. He seems to have got round your boy with his charming nature.
I would feel so protective towards the poor little one.
How long will he be with you in foster care?

[mind77]

The average time is about 4 weeks apparently. I just hope to god he goes to a good home although I'm sure the rescue will be thorough when re-homing him. I do feel very protective of him. Just taken him out for a walk and his back leg seems a bit bow-legged also, as though something may have happened to that leg at one point also. I really would love to get hold of the bastards that treat animals like this He is a lovely nature. Just wish my dog would behave He's started to be a little snarly and in his face again in the last hour. Just hope they get on ok. Rescue people didn't seem to concerned, said they had seen far worse in terms of dogs scrapping so maybe I'm worrying about nothing:)

[D0oinMeCleanin]

I'm a little concerned that the rescue left before things settled down and four weeks is a very quick turn around.

Did they give you any advise on how to manage your dog and help him settle? Where did they meet?

As a first time fosterer with a dog who can be like yours they really should have met you on neutral turf and stayed with you until the dogs were getting on.

I hope things work out, it sounds like this poor chap deserves some luck.

How bad is the snapping? Do you think you need some advise on how to deal with it?

[digerd]

Your dog will naturally want to show the new boy who is top dog in your house. Just be careful you give your boy all the attention he's used to so not to feel jealous. Altthough in my experience that is more of a female thing.
Are you feeding them in different rooms, as little newbie needs feeding up as so skinny, and your boy could show his dominance by stealing his.
Did you take both out for a walk or only the new dog? Is your dog much bigger than him?

[Scuttlebutter]

We foster, but didn't see this till after your dog had come home. For future reference, I would NEVER introduce the two dogs like this in your home. I would always do introductions on neutral territory outside the home, usually by taking them for a walk together, so they can (on lead) enjoy activities together like sniffing and peemail and get to know each other gradually. If, at this stage, there is clearly a problem (and it does happen from time to time) then you are not the right foster home for that particular dog. Not a problem, no biggie, but I really wouldn't force two dogs who don't get on into a home situation together. That is just making things unnecessarily stressful for all concerned, including the dogs and you.

Rescue should be providing you with support, not just leaving you to get on with it.

[digerd]

Mind
How did the 2 boys get on over night?

[mind77]

Hi:) Well things have improved alot today touch wood. My dog is still snarling/lunging at foster dog(all noise, no contact) but it is down to about once every few hours. He is getting possesive of me basically when I am sat on the settee. He is mostly fine but if he is sat on the settee with me then he is getting snarly when foster dog tries to jump up and join us. He is fine at all other times with foster dog cuddling me, but not when it interferes with his cuddle iykwim?
They are ok at other times now mostly. My dog keeps trying to play with foster dog by running around and jumping around infront of him but foster dog isn't interested in playing with him. Followes him alot but just does his own thing mostly. Should I be concerned about that do you think or do you think things seem to be going in the right direction?
I am concerned about the foster dog feeling 'unwanted' with my dog still being a bit iffy/nervous of him?
They got on ok overnight thanks digerd. I was at work but apparently foster dog slept through till 6.00. They were in seperate rooms though:o
Just to answer a couple of early questions, ny dog is about the same size as foster, but foster dog is alot stronger. They are going on their walks together,and although not interacting with each other whilst out,they are walking fine next to each other.
dooin They met at my house as rescue wanted to see how my dog would react to a strange dog on his territory(I wanted to do neutral) Guess they got their answer They told me to deal with it by throwing water at my dog.
scuttle I hope things are not bad enough now to send him back? I absolutely dont want to do that(unless it wasn't in dogs best interest to stay of course) He seems happy. Exited to see me when getting back from work, jumping up for cuddles? Would he still do this if not happy?
He hasn't got another foster home to got to.He would go back to the rescue where he was sharing a house with about 25 other dogs He spent most of his time trying to avoid other dogs to find a quiet spot away from them all so think he surely would be best here?
Rescue think I have done a fantastic job settling them, better than they could apparently, so I do feel a little alone yes if they have no further advice!!
Sorry for the length of post/reply!! Was alot to say and answer but thank you so much for replies/support. It has helped me enormously to feel a little calmer:)

[digerd]

Good. I hoped you could keep them apart at night. Your dog is behaving absolutely naturally - he loves you.
If foster dog is happy, I wouldn't worry about him not feeling loved by your dog, and yes, to me everything is better than it could have been, and definitely going in the right direction. It's difficult sharing your love with 2.
If you are sitting on the sofa with your boy, then you invite foster dog onto the sofa, so yours will know you ordered him to and have treats ready, if possible to give your dog one first for not growling at him and then foster dog. Or lavishly praise your dog. The sofa will also be his previous terratory.
He seems to be all mouth and no bite, which is good.

[Scuttlebutter]

Mind, it sounds as though you are doing a fantastic job. Well done!

I am just at the rescue's approach of throwing water! Have never come across a rescue seriously advocating that before.

It does sound as though they are settling down. It's perfectly natural to have a few "handbags at dawn" moments in the first few days - I'm sure we'd all be a bit out of kilter if a complete stranger rocked up, moved in and sat on our sofa. Agree with Digerd about lavishly treating both dogs when they are behaving well, sharing nicely etc, and ensuring your existing dog quickly associates treats with the proximity of foster. I wouldn't worry about the play/lack of at the moment. Don't forget your foster is still all at sea and getting used to his new home and routine - I've previously found that they are not ready to play until they feel settled and more on top of things. Then it's as though they can relax a bit, and gradually you start to see their playful side emerge - it's actually a very wonderful and special moment when you see that as you know they are beginning to settle in and feel secure and confident. If things are going well out on walks, that is also a very good sign. Keep things low key for the first few days, let foster settle in gently and keep us posted. Honestly, fostering is incredibly rewarding and full of the most amazing moments. Just make sure you have a nice large bottle of gin on hand.

[digerd]

I have owned a 2 year-old female dog 7 weeks now and the change in her after the first 3 weeks is amazing. She hardly ate and was terrified of strangers and dogs. All that changed 4 weeks ago when I took her twice a day along a dog walk, meeting other dogs and people.
She met a strange small dog like her last week and immediately wanted to play with him. Also happened with a strange large boxer too.