To those who foster or have rescued
 

How do your forever pups adapt to the coming and going of the fosters?

How long do fostering arrangements usually end up lasting?

When it's a rescue - do they do better being the only dog or coming into a pack?

My experience is that yorkies are like forever puppies - but maybe that isn't so for rescues - would it be bothersome to an older foster or rescue to have to deal with an energetic teenage-yorkie and playful cats?

Is it fair to a young yorkie to bring in an older crankasaurus? :D

What age do yorkies start slowing down in your opinion?

Thanks for any insight you can provide!

We've adopted multiple fosters over the years of all ages and I can say that it absolutely depends on the individual dog's temperament and the temperament of the pack you have at home. I won't say it's always been easy to acclimate them to their new surroundings, but it can be done with patience.

Ask which ever organization you are considering adopting from about the personality of the dog. If the dog has been fostered for a while, they will have a good idea if he/she would do better in a single dog home or with others. I did find that it took a tad bit longer to have an older dog adjust to the younger one, but it has always worked out for us.

Good luck.

Thank you!

I have been extremely fortunate. My pups are all very social with other pups....they have had many come and go and they often have visitors...my friends and their pups.

I imagine part of it is because they all were rescues, so it has become commonplace for them??

I also run a tight ship. They have a schedule .. and they know what time it is and what happens at that time! :) I don't leave them for long periods of time and always make sure I am on time for their meals. I think it is important for them to have structure just as it is for children to have it.

When we have a new foster home, our membership coordinator works closely with them about how to manage their fosters....she also knows their pups's personalities and tries to fit the right foster pups in their homes. Of course it is not always easy to do...because we don't know the personalities of new ones...but we do know what might not please a pup in a foster home so we try to avoid conflicts as best we can.

If you are looking to adopt, it is good to ask a lot of questions about the pup. A good rescue should keep a pup for a few weeks so that they know the personality of the pup. As for ages, yes, sometimes a young pup can drive a senior crazy.

Hope this helps.

All of my fosters have been older (12-13) and have been super easy. My two are social and gave the fosters their space when they needed it, and loved on them when they could.

My fosters were anywhere from 3-6 months, but I know you can have them for years if they are not adopted.

Are you interested in fostering?

Thanks - and yes. I'm considering it. I realize we have a home environment that will only work for some - with a seven year old child, a two year old rambunctious yorkie and two frisky Russian blue cats - It started out as thinking about a puppy playmate for Pluto and we haven't ruled that out either but I'm getting the calling - either to foster or rescue if it's the absolute right fit. It might not be right now but I have a feeling it is in my future.

Up for consideration for us - that the foster has a safe, and confortable environment since I know they are already fragile - and two - that Pluto still has someone to play with - I don't want his playfulness cut off ... if that makes any sense - he's still so young and cute. :D

All dialog welcome and thanks for your comments.

Our membership coordinator is very good about educating our foster homes...she also works hard to find the right fit in a foster home. We don't like to have to move foster pups..and often it is not possible anyway if there are no others close by. With a person who has quite a few restrictions or concerns, it is often best to foster owner surrenders where we know something about the pup.

I would think, or hope, that all rescues are careful like that. It is good to ask a lot of questions prior to taking pups into your home. If you have real concerns about it not working out, it may be best to foster for a local shelter or group.

I adopted a friend for Zoey, a Maltese boy. First I was asked to foster him as the home he was living in had too many fosters and he was being picked on. I had seen his pix on the Internet and expressed interest in adopting him. When things got worse at his foster home the rescue group asked if I would foster him. Of course. It was love at first sight for Zoey ( she was 11 mos) and Jackson. He has been such a patient and good brother to her. She is the nasty one. Very bossy. As for slowing down the energy - my Gina didn't slow down until around five years of age. That's when we could take her outside and she would not bolt off and not come when called.

Having cats are not bad. I have four. Two are Russian Blue brothers also. They are 13 and still frisky lol The other are a year and a little over a year. I have perches and places for them to jump up on away from Galen.