Tips for Caring for Your Foster Dog (Part 1 - Puppy Stage)

Fostering dogs has been around for some time but as time goes on and the shelters bring in more animals, more and more people are beginning to foster. When you foster a dog of any age, you are essentially giving them a home and caring for them until they find a forever home. 

Adopting a dog makes your home a permanent destination while fostering gives them a place to stay in the meantime. Deciding to foster a dog can be so rewarding and fill your home with so much love. 

Depending on the age that you adopt, there will be different tips to keep in mind. That being said, here are a few tips to help you on your fostering journey during the puppy stage. 

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Puppy Proof Your Home

If there is one thing a puppy likes to do, it’s to chew on things! Before you bring your new foster pup into the home be sure to pick up anything that may be in reach such as shoes, kid’s toys, etc. 

You may also want to put up a baby gate to keep the puppy out of certain areas. This can help cut down on them getting into trouble or pottying all around your house. 

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Puppy Food and Supplies

Before you foster any puppies, you may want to check with the shelter that you are helping out to see if they provide any food or supplies. This will save you money and time searching for the best quality of those items!

Some shelters will provide all these things while others may just cover medical expenses. Whatever the case, it’s always good to check and be prepared beforehand.

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Keep a Routine 

Having a set routine for everything with your fostered puppy will help you in the long run. Habits like going to bed at a certain time, leaving them in the same area when you must leave the house, and taking them out to potty and feeding at the same time will be easier for the puppy to learn if it is done routinely. 

Not only does this help begin teaching the pup for their future adoptive parents, but if they are a fast learner, you can have a trained puppy in no time! Be sure to stock up on treats to help make the training process fun (and delicious) for your foster.

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When you decide to foster a puppy, you are deciding to give them the bonding and care that they need to thrive with their forever family. It may be hard to let them go when you first start fostering but just knowing that you have done your part on their journey to a loving home will bring you and the puppy joy and love. 

Use these tips with your next foster puppy to make it a bit easier on everyone. Enjoy the time you have with them and happy fostering!