Common Foster FAQs
What kind of food, treats, or toys do you recommend?
Food: At MPR, we usually provide our fosters with Purina Pro Plan, but fosters are welcome to feed their foster dogs whatever food they wish, as long as it is not grain-free.
Treats: We recommend having small, chewy treats on hand for training purposes, as well as bully sticks or other long-lasting chews to keep your foster busy (always given under supervision, of course)! Stay away from antlers, which can cause damage to your foster’s teeth. High value treats such as hot dogs, cheese, or lunch meat can also be powerful motivators to get stubborn dogs in their crates or encourage a nervous dog to keep walking.
Toys: Each dog will have their own preference for toys, but it’s never a bad idea to have durable chew toys on hand to keep your foster occupied without risking them ingesting anything harmful. Puzzle toys are also a great way to provide mental stimulation for your foster dog, and this can tire them out even more than a long walk! Kong toys, provided in our new foster kits, provide the best of both worlds. These durable toys can hold kibble, treats, and peanut butter, and freezing them will give your foster an extra challenge!
How much should I feed my foster dog, and how often should I feed them?
How much you feed your foster dog depends on the dog’s weight and age, as well as what kind of food you are feeding them. The best way to determine how much they should eat daily is to follow the feeding chart for that specific kind of food. If you can’t find the feeding chart on the food’s packaging, you can search for it online. Adult dogs and puppies 6 months and older should be fed twice daily, while puppies under 6 months should be fed three times daily.
How often should I walk my foster dog?
Typically outdoor puppies will need to be walked more often than adult dogs, as they are still learning how to use the bathroom outside and have smaller bladders. Adults dogs may also need to be walked often when they first enter a foster home and are adjusting to their new environment and schedule. Generally speaking, outdoor puppies may need 5-6 walks per day, while an adult dog may need 4-5; however, this will vary depending on the dog’s energy level and housetraining progress.
Do you know my foster’s backstory?
Probably not! We rarely know much about the history of the dogs coming into our care. Many were found as strays, while some were surrendered to the shelter. In these cases, the surrender is typically due to circumstances outside the previous owners’ control, such as not being able to find pet-friendly housing, having landlord issues, or no longer being able to afford a pet’s care. If we do know important information about your foster dog’s history, our staff will always share it with you prior to you bringing them home.
When can I expect my new foster dog to relax?
Your foster may be anxious when you bring them home, and they have every right to be. The shelter is stressful for dogs, but so is leaving the shelter and entering another unfamiliar place filled with new people! For our transport dogs, keep in mind that they have just taken a multi-day road trip from the South into one of the biggest and most bustling cities in the world. All that change can be overwhelming for a dog! A good rule of thumb is to expect it to take around 3 days for a foster dog to start getting comfortable in their new home, although some dogs may require more or less time. You can learn more about your foster dog’s decompression period here.
Is [insert weird thing here] normal?
Dogs are weird creatures, and they may surprise you from time to time! See our guide to canine behavior for new pet (foster) parents here.
How can I stop my foster from crying in the crate?
It is common for a dog to have anxiety while they are adjusting to crate training, and whining or barking in the crate for up to an hour is considered normal. While this may be annoying at first, trust us, it gets better! The best thing you can do is to be patient, build up positive associations with the crate, and avoid rewarding barking or whining. You can learn more about crate training here.
Can I use a playpen instead of a crate?
All MPR dogs, regardless of age or size, are required to be crate trained. This not only keeps them safely confined when they are unsupervised, but also builds a healthy amount of structure into their lives and teaches them that they will always have access to their own safe space. A playpen is not a substitute for a crate as playpens are not secure. Many dogs, and even puppies, can quickly learn to jump or climb over playpen walls!
My foster dog is having accidents inside. Can I use pee pads?
If your foster dog is old enough to walk outside, we ask that you do not use pee pads for them. This is because pee pads train dogs to use the bathroom inside rather than out—perfect for young puppies who are unvaccinated, but definitely not ideal for older dogs! Instead of pee pads, we ask that you take your foster on short, frequent walks until you get a sense of when they naturally need to use the bathroom. Hint: most dogs will need to use the bathroom right after they wake up, after play sessions, after meals, before bedtime, and anytime they are let out of their crate after an extended period of time! You can learn more about housetraining here.
When will my foster be invited to adoption events?
Dogs who are new to our Pack will not be adoptable right away, as we first want to give them time to settle into their foster homes. For dogs over 6 months old, this waiting period will be 3 days. Puppies under 6 months, the group most at risk for catching illnesses from the shelter, will be held in a longer waiting period before becoming adoptable in order to monitor for any complications that could arise. For this group, the waiting period is 10 days. Before your foster dog’s waiting period has passed, we will ask you to confirm whether you would like to adopt them. If not, they will be posted to our website and will be invited to that week’s adoption event.
Can I stay in touch with my foster after they are adopted?
If you would like to share your information with your foster’s adopter, you can reach out to our Adoptions Team. After your foster has had some time to adjust to their new home, the team will send your information along so the adopter can reach out if they wish to stay in touch!
