Foster Mom

I spoke at length with Keri, our (almost) new pup’s foster mom and adoption coordinator in Louisiana.  Keri had lots of advice for me and had answers to all my questions.  I scrambled to take notes and keep up with her.

“Now barking and whining is all about attention and it’s best to deal with it from the get go.  Bubbles eats in the morning and evening; he is kennel trained with a blanket and stuffed toys.  He keeps the toys and plays with them for awhile, then he tears them up to get a new one.  He eats in the crate and sleeps in it at night.  He doesn’t have to do that in your home, but with seven dogs here, I have to do it just to keep some order in the household.”

“The crate?  Here’s what you do: feed him, put him in crate for thirty minutes, then take him outside.  I tell everybody treat new dogs like a baby puppy for a week or two so they get used to your routine.   It will just make everything so much easier, and he’ll settle quickly into a new routine.   If you get up at six, let him out to pee, then, after a walk or whatever, feed him, crate him, then let him out again and he’ll be good for the day until you come home and feed him again.  He’s fine hanging out in a crate all day if you’re not home.  He will settle down and sleep most of the day.  And he’s not a loud boy, though he’s active and playful.”

“If I were you I’d still do the crating at night for the first little while.  I’d let him sleep in his crate at night as he gets used to things.  Structure and routine is so important, yet so many people bring a new dog home and don’t do the crating then wonder why they have such a hard time.  Many people have problems with their new dogs, but I believe that crate training makes most of those problems go away and gives the dogs a different focus.”

I ask Keri about Bubbles’ eating routine.  “I feed him in the morning, then again in the early evening, around four or five-ish.  How much food?  Just like people, every dog’s metabolism is different.  You can’t really go by the weight and portion recommendations on a bag of dog food, but it’s hard to convince people otherwise.  Those recommendations are a good starting point, but you have to judge the correct amount by what he eats, then take up any excess food when he’s through.”

“What chewy things do you recommend?” I ask.  “Some people have told me never to give him a Nylabone or anything made of rawhide.”

“A lot of people don’t like rawhide because dogs can break off and swallow pieces that sometimes get caught in their tummies.  Too many dogs have needed surgery because of rawhide stuck in their stomach, so I’d avoid it.  I like the Kong ball, filled with peanut butter or cheese.  They also make these weird chews called ‘Pizzles.’  They’re not synthetic and dogs just love them.   Whatever you decide, don’t go crazy with the treats, and make sure it’s something natural.”

“I’d love a photo once you get him and he’s home with his family.  We’ll be happy once we know he’s all settled.  Oh  — and he will need a jacket or sweater or something.  Coming north at this time of year will be an adjustment for him.  He’s a hardy little guy and it shouldn’t affect him too much, but it will be a change.”