new foster & adopter checklist
So you've just brought home a foster dog or adopted a new dog - congratulations! We made this handy checklist to ensure a smooth transition for your dog into his or her new home.
Introductions
Introductions
- Your dog was recently in a stressful shelter environment, or transitioning from another home, and needs time to decompress
- The first few days, keep things low key, make slow introductions to family members and existing pets
- Try not to overwhelm your dog with too many visitors or people; make sure children respect the dog's space
- Give your dog a safe quiet place to rest, such as a crate or small, confined room
- Don't leave your new dog and existing pets unattended until you are comfortable that everyone gets along
- The first few days are the highest risk for a dog trying to escape or run away (new environment, wants to get back to its last home), so make sure to supervise your dog when outside and give him/ her a safe place to stay inside.
- Collar, leash, harness for walks (we use a temporary tag; you can also use a tag with your info on it)
- High quality dog food or fresh food, treats, toys
- Stainless steel or ceramic bowls, one each for food and water
- A warm bed - can use old towels, blankets, memory foam bath mats, plush dog bed
- A crate (check sites like Nextdoor or Craigslist for free or low cost crates), or we might be able to lend you one
- Baby gate, to keep certain areas off limits
- Grooming supplies, a well-groomed dog has a better chance of getting adopted
- Walks at least once per day (twice is preferable) for your dog to get enough exercise and mental stimulation
- Some dogs with higher energy will need more exercise, such as accompanying you on jogs, bike rides, or hikes
- No off-leash environments or dog parks
- Feed a high quality dog food or fresh food, twice a day, amount of food depends on the dog and type of food
- Fresh water at all times; restrict at night before bedtime to avoid middle of the night trips outside
- Playtime, fetch, snuggle time as needed (don't play too rough or over-exert right after eating)
- Teach your dog basic commands like "sit", "stay", "come", how to walk nicely on a leash
- Devise games such as scent-work (treats around the house), puzzles, kong toys to keep your dog mentally stimulated
- Dog proof your home: keep food, wires, clothes, knick-knacks out of reach; cover trash cans; lower toilet lids
- House train: your dog may or may not already be house trained; even house trained dogs might initially regress in a new home
- Take good pictures of your dog and note details for his/her profile (e.g., good with people, other dogs, cats, kids; walks on leash; rides in car; house trained or not); send these to us (through your foster coordinator or email us below)
- Post your dog to social media: Nextdoor, Craigslist, Facebook, Instagram; follow our FB and IG and comment or share our posts
- Get your dog out and about on walks, at the park, at the beach, dog-friendly establishments; talk to people about your dog
- If you need support at any time during the fostering or adoption process, please reach out to us
- Contact your foster or adoption coordinator, or email rescuetheunderog@gmail.com
Lastly, we’d like to share this poem
Now I have arrived at your home, everything is strange, and I don’t feel good.
Do not feel impatient If I don’t sleep on my new basket. Yesterday, I slept on a stone floor.
Do not be terrified if I gobble up my food. Yesterday, I had to do it to survive.
Do not get angry if I pee on your floor. Yesterday, it did not matter.
Do not be sad if I am afraid of your loving hand. Yesterday, I did not have one.
Have patience with me, it’s your world, but not yet mine.
If I trust you, I can give you the greatest Gift I have to give. . . . . My Heart.
Please never forget, I was a pound dog. All I need, is a bit of time to adjust.
-Author unknown
Now I have arrived at your home, everything is strange, and I don’t feel good.
Do not feel impatient If I don’t sleep on my new basket. Yesterday, I slept on a stone floor.
Do not be terrified if I gobble up my food. Yesterday, I had to do it to survive.
Do not get angry if I pee on your floor. Yesterday, it did not matter.
Do not be sad if I am afraid of your loving hand. Yesterday, I did not have one.
Have patience with me, it’s your world, but not yet mine.
If I trust you, I can give you the greatest Gift I have to give. . . . . My Heart.
Please never forget, I was a pound dog. All I need, is a bit of time to adjust.
-Author unknown