Dog Community

Adding new foster dog to the pack - questions!

Posted : 1/8/2007 3:29:09 PM

Hi, I lurk here but haven't posted much. We have two dogs, male and female lab mixes, both fixed (Mac and Maggie). My DH and I on Saturday took in a foster male boxer, named Chopper, and I have some questions as this is our first time fostering.

Chopper is 3 years old, recently neutered, and was abandoned by his owner at the vet for some unknown reason. So far he is very well behaved, though a bit stubborn. The rescue said he has been good around all other dogs. I'm wondering what is the best strategy for introducing him to our current dogs. Both our dogs are well socialized, do great at the dog park with other dogs. Maggie can be somewhat reactive on leash, though off leash does well. Mac has always done well with other dogs both off and on leash. However, they have not had to deal with a "strange" dog at their house. Since Saturday, we have kept the dogs separated with crates and/or baby gates. Chopper seems pretty unphased by our dogs, though Maggie got to close once and startled him while he was sleeping and he snapped at her (through the crate), but then that was our fault for letting her get too close. We now make sure he has peace and quiet to rest (he's still healing from the neuter). Maggie now will just go up to his crate, sniff, then ignore him. Mac is still uncertain. He is the most likely to be a problem because while Maggie is our alpha dog, Mac is not your typical "omega" dog. He is more likely to feel insecure in terms of pack status.

We have made it a point of feeding our two first, while Chopper watches from his crate. What else can we do to help them adjust to each other? How do you recommend we introduce them, especially since Maggie can be reactive on leash to new dogs? Any suggestions would be helpful! I've attached a pic of Chopper (Maggie and Mac are in my avatar).

forpaws

Posted : 1/9/2007 8:33:40 AM

First, bathe the new boxer in the same shampoo you use on the rest of the pack. If you have a blanket or something that has the other two dogs scent on it, rub it all over the new boxer when the coat is dry.

Second, find a neutral territory or grounds to introduce each of your dogs individually. You are going to let the new guy know you will NOT tollerate any aggression towards your kids, and vice versa. Let them sniff eachother. If there is no neutral ground, find an area in your home in which the dogs are not allowed in and use that area as neutral grounds. As in my case it was the laundry room.

When you bring the new guy into the home, put him in a crate that will not collapse and let them sniff one at a time thru the crate. You can reinforce the crate with tie wraps at the corners, should a fight break out.

You will know your dogs language better than I would when it is ok to let the new guy out. I would also keep a long leash attached to his collar durring the first couple of weeks to drag around.

Also don't let the new guy do things like as an example, if you allow your guys on furnature, don't let him on for the first week. Show your number one dog like you would always fed first, then next in line, remember the new guy is the lowest member on the totem pole.

You have to be the pack leader in letting everyone know you will NOT tollerate bad behavior, growling, snarling or snapping at each other. But most of all, be calm when you introduce. Throw out all fears and tenseness, they will pick up on your body language and act on it.

I wish you luck and bless you for taking in a fella that needs fostering.

Angel

snownose

Posted : 1/9/2007 12:48:38 PM

I usually take the new arrival outside and put him in one of the lots with gate closed.
I only bring one dog at a time, because, once one gets used to the new one, it isn't a matter of a whole pack falling on one dog, this breaks up the strength of the pack a little.

This could take a while, but is well worth it.......and never take your eyes of them.

tzumommy

Posted : 1/9/2007 1:54:48 PM

Hi fishtail: I am new to fostering myself (I've had my first foster for 6 months now!), so I will leave the fostering advice to the many others with a ton more experience with fostering than I have!

I just wanted to tell you that you have a beautiful pack there! Your labs are very handsome (nice shiny coats!), and Chopper has the sweetest little baby-face!