In the beginning, I had an idea of how I wanted things to go, but fostering has a way of creating scenarios I wasn’t expecting. Over the years, I’ve learned to trust the process and what each dog has taught me from one foster to another. I still have structure and expectations, but I’ve worked more on remaining calm and keeping my bearings when the environment around us tosses in an unexpected distraction.
My current foster has reminded me how quickly those situations can change. Even after three months together, I’m noticing small signals from her that can be easy to miss. I’ve seen dogs wag their tails with a calm demeanor and then gradually show signs that something around them has disrupted that calmness. With my current foster, the change can happen within seconds. Her tail can be wagging and then suddenly become completely still, almost as if it hit a wall. Her fur doesn’t necessarily rise, so that quick change may be one of the few indicators I get before hearing a low growl or seeing her react. Within that moment, I have only a few seconds to either make a correction or observe more closely what caused the disruption.
I saw this recently when I introduced her to another pack of dogs. I explained her story beforehand and that she needed a slow introduction. Everyone was calm, so I gave her some slack on the leash. She was wagging her tail, but then I heard a low growl. I corrected her and brought her closer to me.
Then another pack approached because the dogs knew each other. One of those dogs was overly excited, and I’ve learned that this type of introduction can cause my foster to react. Now I had to pay attention to her while also being aware that my resident dog can react when the foster reacts. I kept my foster close, reminded her that we were okay, made corrections when needed, and most importantly, reminded myself to remain calm.
There was a lot happening within a short amount of time. That’s where observation matters. The best thing I can do is pay attention to what the dog is communicating before deciding what comes next.
What Worked Before May Not Work This Time
I’ve fostered enough dogs to have a foundation that I rely on. I introduce structure, use walks to help the pack adjust, provide a crate so a new foster has their own space, and establish expectations inside my home. That foundation stays the same, but how I help each dog understand what’s expected of them may be different.
I wish I could say there’s a cookie-cutter approach that works with every dog, but there isn’t. Some dogs pick things up quickly while others require different forms of guidance and more time. Each dog requires patience and understanding because when they first arrive, we haven’t developed a way of communicating with each other and my expectations are still unknown to them.
I can start with what previous fosters have taught me, but I still must pay attention to the dog in front of me. An approach that helped one foster may need to be adjusted for another. Something they weren’t ready for initially may even become useful later as they become more comfortable.
That doesn’t happen through words. It happens through observation.
Knowing When I Need to Adjust
Every foster I’ve had has contributed something to my experience and given me more to draw from when the next dog comes along. Part of that experience is recognizing when what I’m doing isn’t getting the response I expected. Instead of continuing with the same approach, I must assess whether an adjustment may help.
There are common questions I review in my mind. Is this approach helping? What else can I implement if I’m not seeing a positive outcome?
My current foster can reach a point where a correction isn’t enough to redirect her attention. I’ve learned that having her sit and bringing her closer to me can give her a moment to settle. Once she’s calmer, we can start moving again. A few steps later, I may give her affection to let her know I’m proud of her.
Observation isn’t only helping me recognize when I need to make an adjustment. It’s also helping me understand how she communicates with me. Earlier in our time together, she would pull away or seem unsure when I tried to give her affection. More recently, she’s become comfortable receiving it and has started showing me her own ways of communicating. She’ll press her cold, wet nose against my hand when she wants my attention. If my hand is hanging out to the side, she’ll give it a little nose bump, almost like her version of a high five.
She also has no problem letting me know when she’s excited for a walk with a simple bark or whine as we get ready to leave. She loves those walks because she gets to investigate all those cool smells that probably mean a lot more to a dog than they do to me.
Those moments matter, too. Observation isn’t only about catching unwanted behavior before it escalates. It’s also how I’m learning who the dog is.
We’re both learning.
Progress Can Change the Plan
As a foster becomes more comfortable, I start noticing small changes. Something they weren’t ready for earlier may become easier. A dog that needed more space may begin seeking interaction. A foster who was unsure about affection may start bumping my hand asking for it.
I celebrate those small victories because they can represent huge movement forward for all of us. They also remind me that I don’t have to make decisions simply because a certain number of days have passed. I can watch the dog and adjust as they show me they’re becoming more comfortable.
Progress doesn’t always move in one direction either. There can be moments when we need to go back a few steps, and that’s okay. Sometimes going back to the basics gives us an opportunity to reinforce what we’ve already worked on before moving forward again.
Every Foster Adds to the Experience
Every foster has added something to the way I think.
Some have challenged what I thought I knew. Others have made me realize I was moving too quickly. There have been dogs that required more patience than I expected and others that surprised me with how quickly they adjusted.
My foundation for fostering has become stronger over the years, along with my ability to adjust within it by remaining calm, understanding body language, and recognizing how quickly a dog’s reaction can change.
Sometimes a dog gives me several indicators that something is changing. Other times the change happens like a lightning bolt, here and gone. The more time I spend with a foster, the more I learn their individual way of communicating.
Beginning with a new foster can actually be somewhat fun because we’re trying to decipher each other’s language. I don’t know what they’re thinking or feeling, and they can’t tell me in a way I immediately understand. At the same time, they’re learning what I’m communicating to them about expectations, boundaries, and other limitations meant to keep everyone calm and safe. What I’ve learned from previous fosters gives me a starting point while we figure out how to communicate with each other.
Reflection
If I could talk to myself when I first started fostering, I think the first thing I’d say is, “Hey, kickback.”
I spent a lot of time trying to learn what I was supposed to do. I read information online, watched videos, took classes, and learned different approaches. All of that gave me tools and knowledge, but the dogs themselves have taught me just as much along the way.
I’d remind myself that being a confident leader doesn’t mean I’ll know exactly what to do in every situation. There are too many unpredictable things that can happen. A dog can react differently than I expected. Another dog can appear around a corner. A loose dog can approach the pack. A squirrel, skateboard, barking dog behind a fence, or even an impatient driver can change the environment within seconds.
What matters is my ability to remain calm enough to assess what’s happening without allowing my own anxiety or frustration to direct what happens next.
Related reading:
- Fostering Means Learning Along the Way
- Welcoming a New Fosters into My Pack
- Why Rescue Dogs Benefit from Structure and Routine
Disclaimer
This article is based on personal experience, observations, and general research. It is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary, medical, training, or behavioral advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding concerns specific to your dog.
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