Dog Fostering Not working out

[zurgswife]

I was really excited to help our local rescue foster. But our experience has not been as positive as I would have hoped. The dog can be sweet and lovable and definitely needs attention. Yet, from the first day she has been aggressive to the point of physical altercations with my older (alpha) dog.

My dog has gotten bit and my husband got bit (fortunately by my dog) as he tried to break up a altercation that had started.

Luckily this was only for a week as we go on vacation but we are going to think long and hard about doing this again and the dog that we choose or gets chosen for us....

I feel bad as I was really excited to help but this has left our household in daily turmoil as the altercations have happened multiple times a day. Even trying to separate there are times that in my small house that isn't possible.

 

[ChitownFamily]

I was really excited to help our local rescue foster. But our experience has not been as positive as I would have hoped. The dog can be sweet and lovable and definitely needs attention. Yet, from the first day she has been aggressive to the point of physical altercations with my older (alpha) dog.

My dog has gotten bit and my husband got bit (fortunately by my dog) as he tried to break up a altercation that had started.

Luckily this was only for a week as we go on vacation but we are going to think long and hard about doing this again and the dog that we choose or gets chosen for us....

I feel bad as I was really excited to help but this has left our household in daily turmoil as the altercations have happened multiple times a day. Even trying to separate there are times that in my small house that isn't possible.

Have you talked to the rescue? In the ideal situation, the rescue would have a dog trainer or behaviorist to help. At this point, just from reading your initial post- I would recommend bringing the dog back to the rescue. Even the most experienced home, can run into situations too big for them. This sounds like a dog that needs some rehab work, maybe in a home with a strong alpha dog or an only dog home. Looking forward to your response, I hope the rescue has been around to help you & to problem solve alongside of you.

Eta: I just re-read your post sounds like you were only the foster home fir a week. I'm sorry this was a challenging dog & situation.

 

[yoopermom]

A good rescue should have screened your home better or, at the least, should have come out immediately to decide if the dog should be removed when the trouble started.

Please don't blame the dog(s) or yourselves. It's a stressful situation for you all.

Please don't let this sour you on fostering. Not every dog is a good fit for every family. Many, many dogs need fostering, and I'm sure you would be a good home for more of them.

Terri

 

[RadioNate]

I was really excited to help our local rescue foster. But our experience has not been as positive as I would have hoped. The dog can be sweet and lovable and definitely needs attention. Yet, from the first day she has been aggressive to the point of physical altercations with my older (alpha) dog. My dog has gotten bit and my husband got bit (fortunately by my dog) as he tried to break up a altercation that had started. Luckily this was only for a week as we go on vacation but we are going to think long and hard about doing this again and the dog that we choose or gets chosen for us.... I feel bad as I was really excited to help but this has left our household in daily turmoil as the altercations have happened multiple times a day. Even trying to separate there are times that in my small house that isn't possible.

We had a poor foster situation once. The dog wasn't the right fit & the rescue learned that valuable information.

It was eventually adopted out to someone with no children or other pets. Without that experience I'm not sure the rescue would have known how strongly the dog needed that.

You tried. Don't beat yourself up for feeling badly. Not all animals fit well with every home.

 

[zurgswife]

I feel bad but I defiantly don't blame the dog. She is very very lovable but seems to have some issues. We have done our best to keep the dogs calm and not have any altercations.

It is only until Sunday. The rescue has started to try to find someone between now and then but seems silly. We will probably keep the dog until Sunday when we are able to have it move onto a more permanent foster situation.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Fostering an animal is admirable, but seeing as you have a dog of your own, I would think twice about fostering again. Is it fair to your dog to bring in a foster that disrupts your dog's life like this one has? On the flip side, is it fair to bring a foster in to your house that your dog likes and then take the foster away when it finds a forever family? I fostered a cat once. It was supposed to be for a week. That week has turned in to 11 years because our cat fell in love with her and we didn't have the heart to separate the 2 of them, especially when we knew she would be a hard cat to place in a forever home. We've never fostered again after seeing the impact it can have on the existing pets.

ETA: I think fostering is GREAT for people who have experience with pets, but don't currently have pets of their own. They provide a great service to the animals.

 

[plutosbuddie]

Dog fostering is such a nice thing to do. It's hard to bring in another dog and disturb your natural balance in the household.. And it WILL be disturbed!!

First: the dogs are fighting so one of them can establish dominance over the other. This is a natural thing for all dogs to establish a hierarchy in the pack.

Second: I know it's hard but until dominance is established it will keep happening.

Third: I agree with another poster that stated the rescue should have provided you with training and a trainer before putting the dog in your home..

I'm sorry your having such a hard time, as anyone would. It's difficult to go through two dogs fighting in your house ALL the time.. I am A registered vet tech if you have questions about anything I might be able to help

 

[zurgswife]

Well it isn't horrible but we have had a few unnerving moments. She goes back to the rescue group on Sunday as we were just a temporary housing arrangement for this week. She is a very very sweet lovable doggie and I don't blame any of the dogs as I realize they need to have time to work it out and will not be given that time.

As far as my dogs (I have 2) getting attached I'm sure that is not happening...LOL

Next time we try to foster I'll make sure we are better prepared and the dog is suited to our family a little better.

 

[Dan Murfman]

We adopted our 2 dogs and really like the rescue group where we got our two boys. A little later we received some emails from them asking for volunteers as they were in need of fosters so we said yes. Well we'll never be able to foster again because when it came time for another family to come meet the dog my wife said forget and we now have 3 dogs.

 

[Tozzie]

Well it isn't horrible but we have had a few unnerving moments. She goes back to the rescue group on Sunday as we were just a temporary housing arrangement for this week. She is a very very sweet lovable doggie and I don't blame any of the dogs as I realize they need to have time to work it out and will not be given that time.

As far as my dogs (I have 2) getting attached I'm sure that is not happening...LOL

Next time we try to foster I'll make sure we are better prepared and the dog is suited to our family a little better.

I have three dogs, it sound to me like it could be one of two things. Your dog is the Alpha in your house, I don't know if the foster came from a situation where she was the alpha dog, if so that would definitley be the problem. The other thought I have, is your dog the only pet you have and did you have other pets or another dog when you brought your dog into the house? None of my current dogs were the "first" when I got my first shepherd I got her as an 8 week old puppy and she knew that the other dog was the alpha dog. Your dog, sees herself as the only pet, you could probrably foster again but it should be a very young dog or even a puppy that has been weened I think that would be a better option should you decide to foster again.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

We also fostered two puppies from a local rescue. Having two dogs ourselves we wanted to give some others a chance to find a loving home. We we're foster failures though and now our two dog family has become a four dog family.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

How is your dog normally with other dogs? I know fostering would have been challenging for us, too, because even though my dog was a sweetheart with us at home, she wasn't really fond of most other dogs coming into our house. Sometimes even though you want to help, it might not be possible to help in that way. (Fortunately there are other ways to help.) Minimally, if you choose to take on another dog, it should be a good fit with your own dog before the dog comes into your home. Always intrroduce them on neutral territory and see how they get along first. You'll also need to have good supervision and boundaries with both of them in the house at all times, and forget rawhides and things they will fight over. (Food, attention, toys/treats.) Good luck.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Dog fostering is such a nice thing to do. It's hard to bring in another dog and disturb your natural balance in the household.. And it WILL be disturbed!!

First: the dogs are fighting so one of them can establish dominance over the other. This is a natural thing for all dogs to establish a hierarchy in the pack.

Second: I know it's hard but until dominance is established it will keep happening.

Third: I agree with another poster that stated the rescue should have provided you with training and a trainer before putting the dog in your home..

I'm sorry your having such a hard time, as anyone would. It's difficult to go through two dogs fighting in your house ALL the time.. I am A registered vet tech if you have questions about anything I might be able to help

Sorry I think this is ridiculous, and quite frankly am shocked a Vet Tech would feel this way

Fighting does NOT have to happen nor should be tolerated EVER These aren't dogs out in the wild roaming through the woods where they have to determine the " leader of the pack" It was a poor fit and the rescue could have done a better screening of the dog they placed in this home

OP I commend you for trying to do a nice thing but I would think long and hard for the next time especially since you said one of your dogs is the Alpha In this house I am the Alpha and they all know it

Curious how did your other dog fit into this whole thing ? How did he/she react ?

 

[CF'er]

Actually you have given the group you are fostering for valuable information. I adopted 2 bassets from a rescue and over a Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday agreed to foster one to get him out of the kennel. I am a proud foster failure and know that fostering probably isn't for me. Sadly we lost him about a month ago but I know that in his last year of life he had a darn good one.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Cf'er I am sorry for your loss but so very glad for that dog and your family for the time you shared I agree with you what OP experienced is very valuable info for the rescue group

 

[CF'er]

Thanks. Our rescue group has two mammas with puppies and it is so tempting but 3 was a bit much. We are happy with our two.

 

[plutosbuddie]

Sorry I think this is ridiculous, and quite frankly am shocked a Vet Tech would feel this way Fighting does NOT have to happen nor should be tolerated EVER These aren't dogs out in the wild roaming through the woods where they have to determine the " leader of the pack" It was a poor fit and the rescue could have done a better screening of the dog they placed in this home OP I commend you for trying to do a nice thing but I would think long and hard for the next time especially since you said one of your dogs is the Alpha In this house I am the Alpha and they all know it Curious how did your other dog fit into this whole thing ? How did he/she react ?

Yes it absolutely does.. And dogs do establish dominance over one another it keeps order in a pack..

I think it's quite interesting that you feel that you needed to express your opinion and not state facts.. You dogs will establish a hierarchy amongst themselves WITHOUT you being in the picture.. One will get treats first one will get their food first.. This is the dogs hierarchy and of course I am above their rank as alpha, but they will absolutely establish dominance between themselves..

Frankly I went to school for this.. You didn't.. You can think all you want but dogs are animals and they absolutely establish dominance in a pack..

 

[eyehartdisney]

And kids left alone will generally beat each other up until dominance is established. Doesn't mean it's acceptable behavior, and as the higher thinking life form in the house you should allow it to happen. Plus, any dog that does damage to another dog, whether in the home or out in the park, the owner is liable for. Soooo, I personally wouldn't allow a known canine aggressive dog into my house. Plus, having had 4 dogs at the same time, I can say they haven't ever taken bites out of each other. It's not 'natural.' It's the specific temperament of these particular dogs.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I was really excited to help our local rescue foster. But our experience has not been as positive as I would have hoped. The dog can be sweet and lovable and definitely needs attention. Yet, from the first day she has been aggressive to the point of physical altercations with my older (alpha) dog.

My dog has gotten bit and my husband got bit (fortunately by my dog) as he tried to break up a altercation that had started.

Luckily this was only for a week as we go on vacation but we are going to think long and hard about doing this again and the dog that we choose or gets chosen for us....

I feel bad as I was really excited to help but this has left our household in daily turmoil as the altercations have happened multiple times a day. Even trying to separate there are times that in my small house that isn't possible.

Zurgswife, it would be really helpful to know under what circumstances these "altercations" occurred. Were there bones, toys, rawhides, food, attention or anything else involved that caused the dogs to fight? What exactly happened?

"Pack order" is all fine and good, but the OP said her husband was bitten as well. That's a whole different ballgame. One needs to know the circumstances in order to know whether this rescue is an aggressive dog, or not.

The bottom line, however, is that the OP had a bad experience and it's caused her to not want to foster any more. That's a shame. Perhaps that could have been avoided with more involvement from the rescue, but not sure until we know what happened.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

And kids left alone will generally beat each other up until dominance is established. Doesn't mean it's acceptable behavior, and as the higher thinking life form in the house you should allow it to happen.

Well said.