Fostering large dogs?

Question

I am thinking about applting to be a foster for largte dogs. We have a pair os Shih tzu's who we love dearly. But I find myself missing my last dog which was a german shepard.

He was a private rescue from one of my employee's and had heart worms when we got him. Despite treatment he died from heart failure four years later.

My biggest concern is that I will get an aggresive dog that will injure or kill one of my small dogs.
thanks

Answer 1

BLESS YOUR HEART!!!

I'm sorry about the loss of your shepherd. We can ALWAYS use more foster homes, especially the large breeds. As a rescue, I would make sure of the dog's temperament before it would go to your home. Many factors go into checking for our foster homes. Some dogs maybe great with cats, kids, etc. Some not. Because of liability reasons, a rescue cannot place aggressive dogs. We carry very expensive and hard to get insurance. I can't take a chance on losing it with a dog that's not good with kids and other animals.

It's an inexact science though. If you had problems with the dog, you should be able to call the rescue and they would take the dog back immediately. You should also be able to contact them 24/7/365.

About the only thing you should be supplying is the dogfood. The dog should be fully vetted and in good health before it comes to your home. Flea free and no parasites. ASK questions BEFORE you agree to foster. Good rescues will ask you questions and you will probably sign a contract. Make sure you have the first dibs on adopting if you fall in love.

Hope this helps. Thank-you for considering fostering a rescue dog. I'm lousy at it. LOL I keep adopting them.

Answer 2

I find less fights between big dogs than I do smaller dogs. I have a 55 lb black lab, a 50 lb border collie mix, a 40 lb corgi/shelti mix and a 60 lb foster pitbull that has been here since the week before christmas. If you use your common sense and introduce them correctly, it makes a big difference. Crate train your foster dog, and don't leave them alone unsupervised with your 2 smaller ones. On the other hand, don't let your smaller dogs attack the bigger dogs either, if one of your smaller dogs is an alpha, I would recomend keeping them away from your foster dog, thats usually, in my experience, how the smaller dogs get hurt, they pick the first fight, and for some, it just might be their last. If you foster through a reputable rescue and are honest about the animals in your household and their personalities, they will usually be able to send you foster dogs who's personalities will fit in pretty well with your "pack". No dog is perfect, no more than any human is, but it can work, I do it all the time, I have 4 dogs 3 kids ages 1, 4 and 8 and I do alot of rescue transports and overnights, I just did an overnight last night for 4 beagles, and my pitt, lab and collie did great, no fights or aggression. It can work, just use your head.

Answer 3

I think it is wonderful of you to consider taking this step! There are few things more rewarding than helping a previously unwanted animal find a loving home. And yes, shelters NEVER have enough volunteers. The first concern you may have is whether your own dogs are willing to accept another dog into their pack. Size usually doesn't matter as long as the dogs are socialized well and the alpha dog is not overly agressive. A shelter will never make a volunteer keep a dog that is dangerous to the household, either. I am an active volunteer and foster parent and have 6 dogs in my house, all different breeds and sizes. (I foster min pins) The only cost you should have is the food for the foster dog. Some rescue groups allow you to take care of the vetting for a new dog, to be reimbursed by the group. If by chance your own dogs will not allow a newcomer into your home, don't give up! Shelters need volunteers for many other things as well, such as dog walking, transporting, adoption counseling, etc. I wish you luck in your endeavor and welcome to the group!

Answer 4

Good for you! It's hard to get fosters, but it's particularly hard to find fosters for large dogs. I do Great Dane rescue and also foster for my local SPCA.

That means that I have dogs of all sizes around here constantly, and I'm glad to say that we have never had a problem. The SPCA dogs are mainly strays, so we know nothing of their backgrounds, and if there were to be a problem, it would probably be from one of them.

The rescue Danes will not be accepted if they are aggressive. No one can take a chance of adopting them to another home if there might be a problem, because someone could be seriously hurt by an aggressive dog. So dogs coming from a rescue should be already temperament tested and in good health.

I've found that the little guys RULE! It looks so funny to see a 10 lb. shih tzu ordering a 150 lb Great Dane off the couch! I don't think you need to be concerned, but if you have a problem, the rescue would immediately take the dog back and find another foster.

You should have a proper contract signed with them defining who pays for what, and what your responsibilities are. There is nothing better to help with the heartache of losing a dog, than to know you are helping others. Good luck!

Answer 5

I am sorry but i would never foster ever again cause it seems like fosters are more interested in the money than saving a life . the reason i say that is because we had a chihuahua that the foster could not place and instead of giving her to me knowing she would have a good home they placed her just to get the money (I did not have it ). the dog was 2 yrs old and had alot of issues and they were asking 500.00 for her . Nope the main objective here was money . I would and will never foster again . I would discourage it or I would at least make sure that they are more concerned with saving a life than making a buck. good luck.

Answer 6

if u are looking to foster large dogs then i thik that before u get the dog that u introduce ur dogs to the dog/s that u are goin 2 foster just to make sure that they get along and that there are no fights and it will b gud for the dog/s that u will foster to b around small dogs bcoz then people can b assured that the dog that they buy wont attack smaller dogs. Also the shelter that u get the dog off shuld know how the dog/s will react to other dogs so if the dog doesnt lyk to b around other dogs especially small ones they shuldnt put it into foster care wif otha dogs.

Answer 7

Why might you elect an SUV? canines are not heavy- does not some style of van do, or get one among those trailers like a caravan for canines that the canines protection adult adult males have with all distinctive booths.