Puppies may start off drinking alot, panting, having stool issues and even worms. All may be normal but it is IMPORTANT you communication in your foster’s chat to about any and all issues – even if you assume it might be normal. Communication is KEY and we are here for support.

BEFORE puppy arrives – ensure you have our phone numbers in your phone in case of emergencies – you will have them pinned in your new chat.

Start with small meals spread out over the day to help them adjust.

Watch for lethargic behaviour, vomiting, diarrhea, blood in stool or any concerns.

Pick up dogs poop IMMEDIATELY – they may have worms and by picking it up you ensure no one else is at risk of picking them up. While that is rare, we take precautions

Collar and tag MUST BE ON AT ALL TIMES. Yes- puppy will not be used to it, and may scratch at it, but they need to get used to it.

Puppy is NEVER left unattended in a yard.

NO socializing with dogs outside of your household for 1-2 weeks. Discuss this with your coordinator if you are wanting to socialize.

Crate training is SO important to protect your house. We are not liable for items/furniture being chews or accidents.

ASK ASK ASK! We are here for support and want this to be a wonderful experience for you!

Once at home it is important to make puppy feel comfortable. They need to establish your home as their new home.  Allow your puppy to explore by sniffing around. Keep them on leash inside — free run of the house is still far in their future.  This also means establishing their ‘room’ or place within your home they can call their own. In our case, this is their crate. We strongly encourage crate training to protect your home, and set up routines.

Read about ‘Crate Introduction’ here.

The bane of all pet parent’s existence. Okay, yes, that is a bit dramatic. Dramatics aside, it is quite the task! It’s important to stay vigilant with your pup from the get-go if you want them to be house trained as soon as possible. Pee pads certainly help keep the house clean to start but is a bad habit to begin.

Being mindful of your puppies habits will allow you to forecast when they need to go and get them outside before accidents happen. 

A basic rule of thumb of when your pup ‘needs to go’:

Aftet they wake up, after they eat, after they play or if they are sniffing around. As soon as you notice any of the above, get that puppy out the door. 

Take water away at 7-8pm and do not let them nap after that to get a good night sleep!

Read about ‘Potty Training” here.

Since your new puppy is not to be around other unknown dogs, we will be arranging a vet visit for you and your foster pup.  Carry your puppy while in the office to avoid the risk of infectious diseases. 

The first visit will include a physical exam and weigh-in. It’s a good opportunity for your pup to meet some nice new people, get handled by them and get some yummy treats. Depending on when his last set of vaccinations took place, they may also get vaccines and dewormer.

Read about “Vaccinations and Going to the Vet’ here.

Here are six things your foster puppy should be learning:

1. No teeth on people — ever!
2. No jumping up on people.
3. Being touched is okay (ear, paws etc.)
4. Meeting people is great!
5. Going to the vet is fun!
6. To potty outside.

Don’t wait. Start training.

We have a weekly puppy class hosted by a trainer in Vernon. If you are interested in joining – ask your coordinator

Why?

The longer you hand-feed, the better. This will help your puppy to develop a soft mouth, so they don’t nip or bite when taking things from your hands. It teaches trust and self-control. It helps them learn not to scarf down their food and it creates a dog who will likely be easy to train because they will be so focused on you.

Measure out their food for the day and use it while you are training. One bowl of kibble becomes 100 individual rewards for great manners! A puppy should learn right away to be calm and keep all four paws on the ground to get pets or treats.

Teach things such as sit, down, come, high-five, roll over and more. You should also start to work on important commands like “drop it” and “give it,” which not only improve their manners but can help to keep them safe. 

Meeting new people and having lots of different experiences is important. A puppy who has met only middle-aged people or only your friends or neighbors doesn’t cope as well when he meets other types of people, such as young children, people wearing uniforms, people in wheelchairs or people from other cultures.

A little adversity during this time is good for your pup’s adventurous soul. Low amounts of stress during the socialization period can prepare a puppy to be ready for anything. 

IMPORTANT: If it’s a place where other dogs might go, carry him and don’t expose him to other dogs until your coordinators tells you it’s okay.  A puppy needs 3 sets of vaccines before being exposed to other unknown dogs.

Generally, you shouldn’t start long activities, running or biking with your puppy before one year of age; any earlier and you can risk affecting their growing joints and muscles.
Some large and giant breeds may not be ready until later.

Need to tire out your puppy? Good news! Dogs require mental stimulation. 

High-drive, working breeds, such as Malinois, Border Collies, Terriers, Huskies, and German Shepherds need more mental stimulation than other breeds.

Working training sessions into their exercise routine is just as important and will help settle their active minds.

A rule of thumb for walks and activities, is to do five minutes of exercise/brain games per month of age (up to twice a day) until the puppy is fully grown. 

Your adoption coordinator is working hard in the background promoting your puppy and looking over applications.

If at ANY time you are thinking you want to adopt please tell us IMMEDIATELY.

Your adoption coordinator may ask you for photos and videos, as well as to answer questions about your puppy to find the best match.

The coordinator will be conduction phone interviews or ask you to come to an event to meet potential families.

Once potential match(es) are found, they may set up a meet.

MEET: This is the first step! Usually at a neutral location where foster, coordinator, potential family (any any dogs) will come together to ask questions and discuss!

If it is a match, references and house check are conducted.

TRIAL: Next the puppy the puppy will be sent on trial! This is usually for about at week, and we send them with comfort items, food & other Paws It Forward supplies. 

NOTE: We do not give out our adopter or fosters information. IF the adoption goes through we can offer your number to the adopters, but they are not obligated to stay in touch. While that may be hard, the pup is off to their new forever.

Sadness is normal when saying goodbye – talk to us! Talk to other fosters and we can help you process – but keep in mind in many cases – you just SAVED a life.