FOSTER WEBSITE — Real Good Rescue

The first few days with your foster is critical to remember: They don’t know you. They don’t know where they are. They will most likely be confused having just come from the shelter/ the streets/ the vet. They need time to decompress.

Please review THIS GUIDE for common mistakes to avoid when bringing home a new dog. It is detailed, concise and very effective if followed closely.

The first few days with your foster is critical to remember:

They have no idea where they are.

They have no idea who you are.

They are going to be completely out of sorts having just come from the shelter and then the vet.

They need time to decompress!

The first few days are the hardest!

Keeping Your Foster Dog Safe & Secure:

Always keep a collar and tag on.

Watch them closely upon arrival to see if they’re looking for escape routes. Keep slip leads on and let them drag them around in order to guide/correct them when needed for the first 2 weeks.

Always walk your pup on their slip lead – never just a flat collar, retractable leash, or harness (unless there is a medical reason, talk to the RGR team before using a harness or making other changes).

Pups should never be walked or watched by anyone other than you unless approved by RGR..

Prevent escapes by crating when guests are entering or you’re receiving deliveries.

NEVER leave them unattended in outdoor spaces or yards.

Introducing Dogs:

Introducing your pup to other pups in your home:

DON’T rush them! They don’t have to happen right away!

Give your foster time to decompress and watch things. The dogs do not need to be “friends” right away

If you have multiple dogs, introduce them one at a time.

Avoid nose-to-nose introductions and encourage butt-sniffing for a few seconds at a time before separating the dogs.

Separate the dogs (or don’t’ introduce them at all) if you see:

Intense staring/eye contact

Stiff body language.

Tightly tucked tails.

Stiff mouths/lips lifting.

One dog attempting to stand or posture over the other dog.

Introducing your pup to other pups outside of your home:

Avoid introductions to 3rd party dogs you don’t know.

We don’t want fosters hurt by dogs we don’t know and owners who don’t know how to handle their dogs!

When introducing dogs on leash, it should never be on a taut leash nose-to-nose. This will likely lead to a poor introduction.

Allow for a walk together and then a few seconds of butt sniffs and then gently lead your pup away.

Apply the same rules for not introducing or separating dogs here:

Intense staring/eye contact

Stiff body language.

Tightly tucked tails.

Stiff mouths/lips lifting.

One dog attempting to stand or posture over the other dog.

Introducing your pup to new people:

Always ask people to “go slow.” Rapid movements by strangers can be frightening to new fosters.

Have them ”get low” and kneel down to the pup’s level. Never allow someone to reach over and on top of your foster. This can be incredibly scary for a pup.

Don’t force the interaction. If your pup doesn’t want to say hi, don’t make them.

Let them decide if they want to sniff or get a pet.

Children meeting your foster must always be accompanied by a guardian.

The Best Thing You Can Do for Your New Foster:

IGNORE them and do not coddle them. Do not overwhelm them with affection. This sounds silly, but don’t talk to them a ton. Let them find their own place (i.e. do not pet them or talk to them to calm them down). Just let them be for the first few days. Start crating right away. Don't project the ”sad shelter dog" who needs love and lots of attention. Give them space.

What to Feed a New Foster:

RGR will provide you with food and any supplies you need. If you decide to buy or share your own dog food, that works too! We greatly appreciate this as every dollar counts. Please make sure you let the RGR team know what kind of food you would be buying on your own as your dog may have some specific medical/nutritional needs.

Please DO NOT feed any rawhides, or bully sticks to any foster pup as this can cause stomach upsets and other medical issues.

Should I Crate Train My Foster?

YES! Crating is – your best tool as a foster! Start right away.

Crating creates a safe space for your pup to watch and learn about your home, it is not a punishment. Never use the crate as a punishment place.

Crating allows you to set boundaries and get them into a routine that helps with house training and separation anxiety.

Read the following crate training tips to best help support you and your foster dogs.

RGR supplies you with everything you need; including a crate, food, collar, RGR tag and slip lead or leash. We ask that you provide a towel or blanket to be used inside the crate and sheet to cover the back half of the crate, creating a safe cave like environment for your foster dog.

To request a follow up vet visit please use the FOSTER REQUEST FORM and allow 1 week notice.

To request a temporary foster, please use the FOSTER REQUEST FORM. We ask that you submit these requests at least 30 days in advance, if possible.

To request supplies, please use the FOSTER REQUEST FORM allow 3-5 business days for delivery.

RGR will provide you with food and any supplies you need.

Some fosters like to buy food for their foster dog and we welcome this. If you choose to sponsor your fosters food, be sure to email foster@realgood.dog to let us know what kind of food you plan on buying as your foster dog may have some specific medical or nutritional needs.

Please DO NOT feed any rawhides, or bully sticks to any foster pup as this can cause stomach upsets and other medical issues. See our foster handbook and guiltiness of do’s and don’ts

Foster Request Form

Blue Man Dog offers several free training manuals.

Our favorite and most helpful manuals from BMD are:

New dog help

Common Mistakes to Avoid with a New Dog

Crate Training

House Training

Introducing Dogs To Each Other

Separation Anxiety

Dogs and Cats

Dogs & Kids

Resource Guarding

Resource Guarding is displayed by growling, hovering over, and snapping at other dogs or people when they want to protect high-value items such as food, toys, and very often YOU!

We often cause resource guarding in new foster dogs by projecting emotion for the ”sad shelter” dog who needs love and lots of treats and toys. This is the exact opposite of what they need.

Always remember that they need LEADERSHIP OVER LOVE.

For example, your foster dog clings to you for physical touch and wants to be on the couch and you let them because they’re adorable and you love them. They now growl and snap any time your dog gets on the couch, this is resource guarding.

Another example would be your foster desperately clinging to you for physical touch and love, allowing them to always be near you, on the furniture or bed and giving them lots of physical affection and then they growl or lunge when another dog or person comes into your home or close to you outside of the home, this is resource guarding.

Preventing Resource Guarding:

Do not coddle or overly show affection to new dogs (this is a theme).

No toys or bones in community spaces. These should be given while dogs are crated.

Don’t let your foster cling to your personal space 24/7.

Make sure they’re spending time alone in their crate. Make sure you are leaving the house at least 2 hours a day while your foster dog is in the crate. If you work from home, your foster dog should also be in the crate for 2 hours a day to have time away from you.

Put your foster dog in a sit, stay before inviting them to join your personal space.

They should not be allowed to invite themselves into your space. Correcting them sets healthy boundaries and creates respect between you and your foster dog. If a foster shows guarding body language give a loud “no” hand clap or stomp to snap them out of it asap!

YES!

Crating is a non-negotiable (unless a RGR representative has given the okay otherwise) and your best friend.

You’ll start this process right away.

Crating creates a safe space for your pup to watch and learn about your home.

Crating is not a punishment and should not be used as such.

Crating allows you to set boundaries and get your pup into a routine that helps with potty and anxiety.

We often work with Blue Man Dog and use their Crate Training Tips.

IGNORE them and do not smother them with affection.

As humans, we feel emotional about their past story of being in the shelter/ being abused/ abandoned/ neglected and are inclined to ”love” them. More often than not, this has shown to have a negative impact on the dog. Let them settle in on their own terms (e.g. do not pet them or talk to them to calm them down). Let them be for the first few days, while providing guidance and helping them to build a stable foundation.

Start crating right away - The best thing you can do is give them space.

Click Here for photo tips that will help your foster get adopted.

Foster Dog Biography Form

Sharing photos and videos of your foster dog on your social media and with RGR is crucial to the adoption process!

PLEASE SEND US WEEKLY PHOTOS AND VIDEOS.

You don't need fancy cameras. Cell Phones will do, check out our PHOTO TIPS (shout out to our friends at APR who put these tips together).

Click Here for photo tips to that will help your foster get adopted.

Your foster dog got away from you or is lost – DO NOT WAIT!

Medical emergencies such as:

Ingestion of items that could poison or cause obstruction.
Severe lethargy, pale white gums.
Post-surgical dogs that opened a majority of their sutures.
Dog fights that resulted in major injuries.

Terah - terah@realgood.dog - 212.729.4395

Kelly - kelly@realgood.dog - 323.642.8850

Sharing photos and videos of your foster dog on your social media and with RGR is crucial for the adoption process!

PLEASE SEND US WEEKLY PHOTOS AND VIDEOS.

You don't need fancy cameras. Cell Phones will do, check out our PHOTO TIPS (shout out to our friends at APR who put these tips together).

Send us all the details about your foster dog and who they are using the FOSTER DOG BIO FORM.

Applications are reviewed and approved by RGR. An in person or virtual home check is scheduled and completed. RGR will make an introduction between the foster and the approved adopter. This initial interaction between the potential adopter and foster allows you to share details about your foster dog and their personality, routines, quirks (good and bad) and medical details; before scheduling an in person meeting.

Everyone in the household, of the potential adopter, must come to meet the pup, especially existing animals. The foster and potential adopter will choose a date and location that’s convenient for both parties.

If both parties agree to move forward with the trail adoption period, please inform the RGR team so that we can finalize the process. If all goes well during the meet and greet, your foster dog can go home to start their adoption trial!

Important:

Please do not send your foster dog home until you have been given approval by an RGR representative.

Pups MUST be PICKED UP by the adopter (unless RGR specifies otherwise). This will help them transition into their new home. Dropping off can cause panic and abandonment issues.

All items: collar, tag, leash, any leftover medication, crate, bed goes with the dog into their forever home (unless the new family already has these items then they will come back to the rescue).

The RGR team goes through a thorough vetting process before your foster dog goes “home”. To find the best possible home we rely on you as you know their personalities the best and may have a better handle on what their forever home should look like.

Step-by-Step:

Applications are reviewed and filtered by RGR..

Our team will connect you with pre-approved applicants

RGR will connect you and the potential adopter via email or phone to answer / ask questions.

Let possible adopters know about personality, routines, quirks (good and bad), medical issues, before you schedule any meetings. This will help filter out people.

Schedule a meet and greet. Everyone in the adoptive household must come to meet the pup, including furry friends. Choose a date and location that is neutral and a convenient place for the meet and greet.

If both parties agree to move forward, the potential adopter may take your foster pup on an adoption trial.

The adoption trail is anywhere from 7-30 days.

Once the trial period is over, RGR will finalize the adoption, collecting the adoption donation fee, we will provide all records to the adopter and transfer the microchip to the adopter.

Important:

Wait for RGR to confirm an adoption trial has been approved before you hand off your Real Good pup.

Pups MUST be PICKED UP by the adopter unless otherwise specified. This will help with a smoother transition into the pups new home. Dropping off can cause panic and abandonment issues.

Collar, tag, slip leash, any leftover medication stays with the dog. Crates, beds, and other items belong to the rescue.

For general questions about your pup, including training, food, vet visits, temp foster or anything that is not time-sensitive and can’t be addressed through the foster request form or the Blue Man Dog Training Manuals please email foster@realgood.dog and we will respond back as soon as possible.

You can view more detailed information on our regular volunteer team here.

What to Do in an EMERGENCY: CALL US immediately if:

Your foster dog got away from you or is lost – DO NOT WAIT!

Medical emergencies such as:

Ingestion of items that could poison or cause obstruction.

Severe lethargy, pale white gums.

Post-surgical dogs that opened a majority of their sutures.

Dog fights that resulted in major injuries.

Terah Gisolo - terah@realgood.dog - 212.729.4395

Kelly Wilson - kelly@realgood.dog - 323.642.8850