Getting a foster this weekend. I have Qs.

[rosiebear]

So, we are fostering a dog; Timmy should arrive this weekend.   We have a Maltese we obtained from a rescue organization; she's about 4, has always been extremely easy and just a great dog.  She came already housetrained, walking on a leash, and fairly social.  She is our first dog.

This dog is 10 years old, a "retiring" breeder stud from, according to the rescue "Halfway between a puppy mill and a backyard breeder."  All we know is his age, his size (very small = 5-6 lbs), and that he needs to be neutered and probably needs dental work.  He is a Maltese.

I am expecting him to be skittish and undersocialized, and I am going to have to house train him, right?  If he's been a breeder, do you think he'll be aggressive to my dog?  I plan to give him a safe, quiet place to hang out in his crate and disturb him as little as possible for the first few days.  He'll be wearing a belly band indoors, to start with.  I know my dog will be curious - do I let her go up to him right away?  Keep them gate-separated? 

I'm starting to wonder if this is such a good idea. 

[doglove]

The best thing to do is to have the dogs meet on neutral territory that is not your residence. Keep the dog in the car, get your dog on a leash and then walk them both. It's best if you can have a second person who is walking your dog and you walk your foster on a leash slowly behind them and then with them. I usually walk fosters for about 20-30 minutes with my own dog before even bringing them into the house. Walking is the best way to bond relationships.

Honestly with fosters, it's kind of a crapshoot as to the behavior and issues you face. Most likely with his background, he will need to be socialized and may be fearful.

[rosiebear]

Thank you for that suggestion - I know I've read that somewhere, but your post reminded me of it. We will definitely do that.

[darkling_glory]

Google "slow dog introductions" you absolutely cannot just let them be together right away. Baby gates will be your friend.

Even if you think they'll be ok, slow is always better.

[spa]

rosiebear how is the fostering going?

[rosiebear]

Mar 31, 2015 18:12:03 GMT -5 spa said:

rosiebear how is the fostering going?

Thanks for asking. Sadly, Timmy didn't make the transport (the rescue said there were weather issues), so we are waiting for another transport to be arranged. We are in Wisconsin (some of the foster homes are in Indiana); I think this dog is stuck in Arkansas.

Unfortunately, they only put transfer chains together when they can convince a breeder to release a few dogs at a time or if there are other dogs needing rescue along the same route. I am still waiting, and I hope it happens soon.

[spa]

Hopefully you get him soon- we were considering doing the foster thing when we move to our next house. Makes me feel bad when I see all the doggies in the pound

Let us know how it goes

[rosiebear]

Update: sadly, it looks like Timmy is not coming. I just got this text from our rescue org:

"We don't think Timmys coming in. Can you take a sweet one with a leg problem Maltese 3 years old instead ? Male"

This little guy is in a humane society right now (unclear whether it's an owner turn in or what, but he was described as matted and filthy when he came in) and needs ACL surgery. The rescue will pay for his surgery but we'd have to do the rehab at home. I've never done that.

He's described as sweet snd affectionate, but it's unknown if he is housetrained.

I'm leaning toward saying yes. What do y'all think? Too much to take on? He just sounds really sweet.

[mala]

I think you should say yes. The recover isn't too terrible if you're willing to make the effort. Mostly it's just about keeping the dog quiet and slowly extending the activity time. At least a Maltese you can pick up and move around if necessary!

We just went through ACL repair with our dog. She did it just before Thanksgiving, and we are only just now allowing her short periods of off leash time outside. It was rough, I'm not going to lie, but we adapted. I have two pieces of advice if you do take the foster. 1, you need to be breezy and go with the flow about potty breaks. Anna was in enough pain that she would hold it until she couldn't anymore (she didn't want to crouch to pee). A Maltese you could carry outside so he's not walking as much after surgery (Anna's 110 lbs, that wasn't an option for us). And 2, keep lots of cleaning supplies on hand. He's probably going to have a lot of accidents in the house while adjusting to the new routine and to a new home.

[spa]

If you have the time to be able to work through the rehab I would say yes.

[rosiebear]

Thanks for the feedback. We agreed to a compromise: the dog will go to an experienced foster until surgery and for a while after (the time we are most worried about messing something up). When he seems to be on the mend, we will take over from there.

I'm excited!