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Fostering

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on fostering.

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Original poster

what shall I do with the dog?

18 replies

happydaze22 · 08/03/2011 18:27

Has anyone got a dog that loves everyone to the point of thinking all visitors have turned up just to see her? We are still in the assesment process and our dog has so far not been a problem because she is so sweet, but she is large and she is very friendly. i was wondering how to introduce this scoobydoo type mut to new fosterlings without scaring them witless...has anyone got a dog like this this and if so,what would you suggest?

OP posts:

Batteryhuman · 08/03/2011 18:31

Training - get thee to the Dog House topic and ask one of the wise women there.

LoopyLoopsHulaHoops · 08/03/2011 18:36

In my experience as a foster child, it makes settling in so much easier when there are pets!

Original poster

happydaze22 · 08/03/2011 18:42

Hi batteryhuman, believe you me she has had training till it comes out of her earholeas to no avail. She is happy to sit behind the stairgate while people are in the house but the second the gate is opened she's like " I have to greet my new friends " after a couple of minutes shes fine but the trouble is a couple of minutes is a loooooong time. She doesnt jump up but she does "slurp" alot iykwim and she absolutely adores children. i dont know if I'm expecting too much of her,because she is so gentle around children apart from the fact that she wants to be with them.

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morethanyoubargainfor · 08/03/2011 18:43

i have 2 large friendly over familiar dogs! We have been fostering for 2 years, had the dogs for 3 and 1 years.

They like to greet at the door but they are put out when a FC arrives and we go out to them. then we play ball or take a treat and get them to do their 'tricks' and the children are often fine with them. However with my 2 the novelty of a visitor wears off after 5 minutes max, so they really aren't that much of a problem!

sowhatis · 08/03/2011 18:46

i have a 12stone lump of a dog! he is soppy and good with kids. he is generally behind the gate when ppl enter, however he never ever jumps, will sit nicely, but the tail wags alot!!

i would say get ppl to ignore him, thats always worked with mine. make sure people greet people first and dogs last, including you.

use a one word command, we use 'back' when he is getting too excited and wants to start pawing t people.

i hope the fostering and dog go well!

ChippingInMistressSteamMop · 08/03/2011 18:47

Yes, I used to have a dog like that, all visitors were there to see her :)

Like you, there was not enough training in the world to change her basic nature she was the best, most loveable, most loved dog ever and I still miss her very very much.

I'd do what morethan said.

Original poster

happydaze22 · 08/03/2011 18:49

thanks LLHH, youve made me feel a bit better. shes a big dog though and I know some adults find her frightening although to be honest most children that come into our house either play with her or ignore her ( children seem to know instinctively what to do whereas adults wave their hands around shouting "no" to her, lol). i'm just worried that a child that might already be traumatised will then have the added trauma of a dog that wants to be their best friend whether they like it or not.

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Original poster

happydaze22 · 08/03/2011 18:57

OMG , cant belive how helpful you've all been, so far..thankyou. Perhaps its the trend for us to have sloppy dogs as part of our preferred profession (wink).Its also nice to know i'm not alone in thinking kids and ( sociable) dogs do mix well and can be made for each other.(grin)

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Original poster

happydaze22 · 08/03/2011 19:01

Just wanted to say Chipping, you've bought a tear to my eye..I'm dreading the day I have to say "I miss my dog"...hopefully theres a few years in her yet.

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p99gmb · 08/03/2011 19:02

I wouldn't worry too much - we have 4 rescue dogs that we brought back from Spain and when someone comes to the door they bark like mad - and I really worried what the SW's would think - let alone the kids..

We took to putting them either outside or in the attached garage to allow people to come in without being knocked over... and then when all of the fuss has died down, let them in slowly but surely.. maybe even on a lead...

The dogs (and chickens) have made such an impact on the kids - its well worth any initial hassle... all of the kids teddies have been named after their favourite dog, and I do wonder if in years to come they'll wonder why (2.8yrs & 1.11yrs).

The pack leader now sings along to the lo's cries which sure as hell makes him stop and look at the dog who is louder than he is!!!

Good luck with the assessment process.

Another tip before I finish... we were given a bag with a chain in it, but equally a set of keys or something to make a noise would suffice, and when you want the dog to back off, you throw it down infront of them and use a command - the noise gets their attention...

Original poster

happydaze22 · 08/03/2011 19:07

thanks P99gmb, I'll take that on board about the chain. We're waiting to go to panel now so almost there... Love your comments about the pack leader.

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psiloveyou · 08/03/2011 19:22

Someone said to me when we started that you weren't a proper foster carer until you had a dog, an extension to your house and a holiday caravan. Eight years later we have the dog (sounds just like yours ), and the extension. Have actually talked about the caravan but I refuse to give up my garden to store it.

Despite the lack of a caravan I think we qualify as real foster carers.

I agree with loopy pets usually make settling in much easier for a child.
We just hold ours while she says hello then she goes behind the stair gate.

Original poster

happydaze22 · 08/03/2011 19:45

Thanks psily, we've already got the dog, the extension and a holiday home, so we just need the kiddywinks lol. Sowhatis, "back" is almost tattoed on our dogs nose we use it so often.... I think she thinks it means " go and slobber over all new arrivals!" lol. seriously though, having read all of your post's I now feel more confident re the dog so thank you all so much.

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shaz298 · 08/03/2011 20:31

Lovely thread. We're in the process just now, andafter reading this am thinkikng maybe we're not right as FC as we don't have a dog !! Maybe we'll need to get one!. xx

morethanyoubargainfor · 08/03/2011 21:03

Shaz, any pet will do really! we have an axoltl, two fish, two dogs and have just purchase with Lo two tiger giant african land snails . We also have had during our time fostering, a hamster, a cat, stick insects aswell as the remaining creatures!

p99gmb · 08/03/2011 21:06

well I for one am going to have to google 'axoltl'

morethanyoubargainfor · 08/03/2011 21:20

well done p99gmb, just not sure i splt it right

They rock, they regrow their own limbs and everything if any thing should happen to the existing ones! ours has totally regrown a leg as one of mates ate his last one, he doens't live with any friends now. He does however have his very own risk assessment as do all the pets, even the snails .

My ds 8 thinks he is great, and the lo 6 is quite taken by him as well.

Happy googling

psiloveyou · 08/03/2011 21:35

Wow we want one they are cute.
We have the dog, two cats, bearded dragon, leopard gecko, imperial scorpian, and a giant land snail.

Sws love doing our risk assessments

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