ADJUSTMENT SUGGESTIONS

IMPORTANT: Allow the Sheltie to make the first move!!! The more you 'fuss' over the dog, the more it will retreat. Let them solicit you for attention. Best way to get them to interact with you is to ignore them.

Introduce your dog to the foster dog on neutral territory, not in your home. Walk them together before taking them in the house. If this is not possible, put your dog(s) either outside or block them off in the house so they do not overwhelm the foster dog coming in the house. Greeting through an x-pen/baby gate is suggested.

IMPORTANT: Crate the foster dog and ignore it -- give them personal time to adjust to their new surroundings 24-48 hours (longer if foster dog is an unsocialized dog). Potty and return them to their crate. An x-pen around the crate is handy. The foster dog can choose to come out when it feels comfortable.

Crating at night or when leaving the house is a requirement. It is not fair to your other dogs -- give them a break, too. At night, crate can be moved into bedroom.

Your foster Sheltie should never be out of your sight for first week -- leash the foster dog to you if working around the house. If you can't watch it -- crate it!

REMEMBER your dogs were there first. It doesn't hurt a foster dog to crate it when necessary to give your own dogs a break.


FEEDING

Your foster dog should always be fed in a crate. We feed Purina Pro Plan lamb and rice, dry or Natural Balance. Feed according to directions provided you when foster is placed in your home. Measure the dog's food out and do NOT overfeed the dog. A fat Sheltie has a short life span and multiple health problems.


HOUSETRAINING

Potty the foster dog outside ON A LEASH or in a restricted area until it has adjusted to the new surroundings and you feel comfortable it will come into the house when called.

Don't assume the foster dog is house trained -- change in homes/families are stressful and it may "forget" or not know your routine. Praise when foster dog does its business outside.

Pick up waste immediately until you are informed that fecal test results are negative.


INTERACTING WITH FOSTER DOG

Do not expose the dog to children that are not in your household or take them to busy places with a lot of strangers unless prior approval by President or Vice President is given. Use the crate to keep the dog safe. ANY Sheltie that nips or bites for ANY reason must be euthanized. Don't put your foster dog in a situation that will cost him his life.

Do not reach over the dog's head to pet it, as they may perceive this to be a threat. Instead, pet the dog under the chin.

If foster dog is shy/unsocialized, don't make direct eye contact or stare. Again, considered a threat to the dog.

Teach basic dog manners -- sit, down, "leave it," walk nice on leash, "wait" (as in don't bolt out the front door), and "quiet." Good manners help the dog become more adoptable! Must be willing to attend obedience classes at Humane Society of Missouri if it is determined the foster dog needs some serious training before beeing placed.

MUST DOS:

For safety reasons, the foster dog must ride in a crate or a dog seat belt when being transported in a car. No exceptions.

Foster dog must wear either a training collar or Premier-type collar whenever leaving the house -- no exceptions. Shelties back up when frightened or startled, these type collars keep them from slipping out of their collars and bolting. NEVER, under any circumstances allow the dog off leash in an unfenced area.

Foster Sheltie must wear collar with "Sheltie Rescue" identification tags at all times.

Foster dogs must be returned to Sheltie Rescue if leaving for vacation or going out-of-town. Petsitters are not approved to foster.

Fosters must be clean, brushed, and nails clipped. Grooming can be arranged, but weekly brushing is necessary. Potential adopters could visit at any time, and it is important that the foster Sheltie makes a good impression. Wait at least 2-3 days before attempting to groom the dog -- let it adjust first.

Discourage the foster dog from getting on the furniture and on your bed. You may enjoy it, but the new adoptor may not. You need to assist the dog in becoming more adoptable. In addition, this provides a clear signal to the foster dog and to your own dog as to the fact that the foster dog's has lower status in the pack. This is reassuring to your own dog, and also to the foster dog, who is trying to figure how where they fit in.

DO NOT pick up a foster dog that doesn't know you very well!! Good way to get nipped by a stressed dog.

Our vet is located at Fee and Olive in Creve Coeur, MO. This is the only approved vet used and foster home must be willing to take foster dog to vet appointments when needeed. All vet visits and procedures must be pre-approved by the President or Vice President.

Foster Home agreement must be signed for each dog fostered.

NEED HELP?

If the foster Sheltie doesn't work out for any reason, contact Janice or Dwain immediately. You are not a failure -- the foster dog just isn't the right match for your home. There is no benefit to either the foster or the foster home to have everyone upset with the situation.

Sheltie Rescue provides counseling to help train the foster and the foster home to adjust. Remember, you can't possibly know everything there is to know about behavior/training -- call your mentor. If something isn't working, ASK for help!