Hi, can anyone give my and tips pros and cons on fostering dogs? i am sure the the good out weigh the bad? though we have given much thought to this.........
I have to consider my existing dogs:) but i am sure with careful introductions (especially with my girl) it would work out, and we are also getting our long a waited pup October time now :)....
Any thoughts and experiences please??

We would especially like to foster a oldie?
I do have time as i am at home all day, space and a large garden.
Thanks in advance
Hayley

Hi

I have fostered twice before - one good experience and one bad.

The negatives can be - if there are any behaviour issues you have to be prepared to work on them - could include excessive barking, marking around the house, not housetrained, not sociable, not lead trained.

The first dog I fostered was adorable - arrived a scared nervous wreck - had never been in a house or walked but in three weeks was fantastic.

The second was a terrier and I couldnt handle him at all - he bit, snapped, jumped on the kitchen counters, pulled the bins over as well as numerous other things  - he was a tiny dog but a whole lot too much for me.

So I suppose as long as you are prepared for some issues settling in you will be fine - I would from now on make sure that the kind of size and weight is compatible with my existing dogs - the first one I had used to run at my dogs head if I didnt stop him and was a lot bigger..

good luck

There are huge benefits to some dogs in being fostered.  Many dogs do not do well in a kennel situation but are unable to be permanently rehomed (yet).  As you already have dogs you will need to be vetted and you may be excluded for certain types of dog or condition - many dogs are temporarily fostered whilst receiving medical treatment for instance.  However your circumstances may well suit other needs such as housetraining or socialisation perhaps.  With your experience this may be enough to enable the dog to find a new home.

Do talk to a few local kennels about the type of home you can offer and the types of dog/s they need to be fostered.  Take care around new puppy time however, this is an important time for you and your family (human and canine) and you'll want a fairly stable environment.  Some breeders may not want their precious pup coming into a changeable household and it may not be the best time for you to try and help a foster dog too - many will be quite needy.  If you are thinking of  long term foster care maybe it would be sensible to wait until your pup is at least a year old.

We've done it, whilst we were in between dogs though.  It's a great feeling to be able to help, but it can be very hard to let them go.  Good luck

> it may not be the best time for you to try and help a foster dog too - many will be quite needy If you are thinking of long term foster care maybe it would be sensible to wait until your pup is at least a year old.
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thank you both for your replies :) i think you might be right regarding new pup, we REALLY want to do it, but might not be a ideal time :( , as we want to do everything right for our pup... maybe we will put it off until pups older.

Thanks

We would have loved to foster and I truly admire anyone who is able to do it!

Unfortunately we wouldn't have been able to let them go :-(

:-)

Hi have a update, i am going to foster short term up until October time, just before pup arrives :) , have discussed this with rescue on home check, and breeder :):)

Thank you for advice
Hayley

Good luck Hayley -