How to Keep Your Foster or Adopted Dog Safe and Secure
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Before you even think about Fostering, Adopting, Rescuing or Owning a dog make sure you have the time, patience and money to care for one. Every dog has to be walked on a daily basis, no exceptions to this rule. They need to be seen by a vet and need things like food, toys a leash a collar with ID just to mention a few things but most important they need your love. Good intentions alone will not meet a dogs needs and can cause disaster in a dogs life, You are RESPONSIBLE for your dogs safety and wellbeing and if you can not meet all these requirements then a dog may not be for you. |
No matter how hard you try to keep your dog safe accidents happen, here are just a few things you can do to make things a little safer for your pet.
When you first get a Foster or Adopted Dog you need to understand things from their point of view. They are in a strange environment with strange people all around them and probably had a frightening time at the shelter and chances are they are going to be un-comfortable and more frightened when you get them home. The first rule of thumb is not to follow your feelings and feel bad for them, do not force yourself on them or chase them around your house. Give them a chance to check out their new surroundings and calm down a bit, show them where their food and water is and place a dog bed in the area where you would like them to sleep and let them explore their new home. Its also a good idea for you to have a seat on your couch while they are checking things out and call them over to you with a treat as a reward, its important that they come to you for the treat, this is how you establish trust and a bond with your new arrival.
Being they are in a strange place there is a 100% chance that given an opportunity to escape they will take it. Before you bring your new dog home check and double check your yard to look for gaps in the fence or openings at the bottom of the fence where they can make a quick get-a-way, It is a good idea for the first week or until you see your rescue or adopted pet more at ease in his new environment to put a leash on them even in your back yard. Make sure, if your dog is not crated, to keep them away from the front or back door when leaving the house and when entering the house be aware the they will be their waiting for the door to open so be on guard. NEVER and I mean NEVER leave your dog in the yard tied up or un attended, that is a recipe for disaster
When walking your new dog using a regular collar by itself or a harness by itself for the first few weeks is not a good idea, dogs can and will slip out of them. You also need to get ID and a collar on your dog the second you get them home. (see the picture below on how to connect a collar and harness together so its slip proof) once your dog is no longer afraid of his surroundings you can go back to just a collar or harness of your choice. Also check out : How to Safely Transport your dog
This is a separate collar and harness attached together by a regular leash. This is what we do and it is 100% effective.
