Foster's first day tips???

[Sudilar]

Ok, I have the 8.5 yr. old male GSD, Killian and the @5 yr. old female, Shiloh. Tomorrow a 7 yr. old male owner surrender, Gaylord, will be added for fostering. They have all met at the vets and everything went well. Now my question is: how do I get the foster into the house with the least amount of trouble? Do I bring them all outside to meet again? in front of the house or down the block? Bring the foster to the yard and then bring my two out (with help and on leads)? I have a fenced yard and also a fenced in area in case I want to block the dogs from the main yard. Do I intoduce them in separate sections? Do I bring him in the front door??? This is my first foster and I want to get it right with no fights. Thanks for all hints and tips!
http://www.gsdrescue1.org/frames/gaylord.htm
He is a red and black, it doesn't show up in his pic.

[mugsy]

I'll have Mike answer that one. He does most of the intros at our house. Usually we introduce outside first and then bring them in and we bring them out slowly. I would bring Killi out first and let them get to know each other and then bring Shiloh out, so he's not overwhelmed. Mike can definitely add more to it...he's better at it than I am.

[DoggiesAreTheBest]

Oh Sue, Gaylord is so handsome!!!

I am not sure how territorial Killian and Shiloh are of their yard, so it may be a good idea to introduce them at the end of the block and have them walk home together. Or perhaps have them in the yard and then bring Gaylord in. You do not want Killian and Shiloh to come and see him in their yard. They may feel like their territory was violated. This is how it is with Drake. However, Drake won't let any dog inside the house yet

Be sure you have someone there to help you incase something goes wrong. And I would introduce them outside as opposed inside.

[Sudilar]

Molly, tell Mike that all three have met at the vets office already, so he won't be a complete stranger. My husband will be with me to help out in the intros.

Souraya, I hope Killi and Shi will let him in!!

[DoggiesAreTheBest]

Sue, how accepting are Killi and Shiloh of other dogs in your home?

[Sudilar]

Souraya, no other dogs have come into our home!! Killi is so good natured, I think he will be fine (I hope, you never know for sure). Shiloh will be fine unless he growls at her, she will not tolerate any lip. (UH, OH) Yesterday, when he came too close to her mouth to sniff, she raised her lip and unlike when he did it to Killian, he had to be told to leave it, with Shiloh, as soon as she raised her lip, he backed off. Maybe he already knows she is gonna be boss. (Well, I'm going to be boss and she will be my helper LOL). I am so paranoid. GSDs are large with big teeth, don't want anyone hurt!!

[DoggiesAreTheBest]

Originally posted by Sudilar
GSDs are large with big teeth, don't want anyone hurt!!

That's what I was thinking. I have only one set of those big teeth to worry about. You're gonna have three!!

I would let them play outside and see how it goes before you bring them inside. Your dogs are well socialized and I think they will be OK. Is there anyway they can see Gaylord (mouthfull of a name! Reminds me of Meet The Parents ) again today and get to know him a bit more?

He is so handsome!!

[Sudilar]

He's being neutered today. It's just the first time jitters. My husband thinks it will be fine. It's just me. I am such a worry wort. Gaylord listened to the rescue lady and he only just met her. He did bark at another dog at the vet yesterday. There was a GSD with a husky, too. He was really barking (but not a mean bark), so I thought that when I brought my two in, he would bark at them, but he didn't. It must be a GSD thing. They stick together?

[Logan]

Sue,
I think I can finally respond now! My internet connection has been terrible since last week.
First of all, congratulations and "thank you" for agreeing to try your hand at fostering.
Secondly, just from my limited experience, I have had no problems with any foster dog that has come through our doorway. Of course, both of my girls (I should say "all three" since Murphy is now here, fulltime) are very sweet, docile dogs, and are very submissive to any other dog that is around them. But there has never been any problem. I just have walked in with the "visitor" and once all the tail sniffing is overwith, everyone has been fine. I hope your luck will be as good as mine has been.
Keep us posted!!!

Logan

[Sudilar]

Thanks, Mike and everyone for the tips so far. I hope I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill and everything goes smoothly. But, I always think of all the possibilities.

LOL Mike, I hope he doesn't mark my newer double recliner couch and matching chair. I think I'll put a plastic tablecloth on the legs of it, just in case!!

[aly]

A big part of my job is dog introductions and counseling new owners on a smooth transition of introducing new dogs into their household and you seem to have a grasp on the situation!

It almost always works best to have all the dogs on neutral territory and then walk them into the house together. That way your dogs won't be in the house looking at a strange dog coming into their territory. Even though they've already met, when they meet for the second time, be sure to keep their leashes LOOSE (if they are on leash). Holding the leash tight and not giving the dogs space to greet properly can cause fights.

I wouldn't leave them alone unsupervised together for at least 2 weeks, maybe more. You never know if there's just one thing they might choose to fight over.

Definately feed the foster dog far apart from your dogs. Food aggression is pretty common (well more common than I used to think anyway).

Thats just a couple of the main points. I'm pretty sure you know it all already.

Congratulations on your first foster! He's gorgeous! Please keep us updated and feel free to contact me if you have any other questions

[aly]

Oh yeah, its important to let them correct each other. I wouldn't stop any of it because if they think correcting is bad, they will stop correcting and then just go straight for the fight. They can usually work out their relationships very well by correcting, unless you have 2 very dominant dogs.

Also, when taking off the leashes, I leave the leash on the most dominant dog for the longest. That way the submissive (or scared) dog doesn't feel trapped and can walk away from the dog thats scaring him/her.

[Sudilar]

Originally posted by aly
Oh yeah, its important to let them correct each other. I wouldn't stop any of it because if they think correcting is bad, they will stop correcting and then just go straight for the fight. They can usually work out their relationships very well by correcting, unless you have 2 very dominant dogs.

Never thought of that. Great point. I would probably tend to stop the corrections that they give each other. Glad you mentioned it.

[lizbud]

Sue,

Sounds like you are getting lots of excellent advise &
tips on the intro period. Gaylord is one gorgeous GSD...

Wishing you the very best on this first of many (hopefully)
successful fosters. You'll do great !!! Love & hugs from
me & Moki man.

[Sudilar]

Well today's the day, at 1:00. Guess what dh picked up for the three dogs to share: a whole rotisserie chicken. Hrummmph! Guess whose gonna like dh best! LOL