Hi,
Here's a few ideas:
1. Many volunteers and fosters want education and training. Offer training (so much of it is available for free online these days) to learn what volunteers want to learn more.
2. Encourage volunteers to specialize with certain types of dogs, if they're interested. Want to be a resource guarding pro? Awesome, we'll help you learn how!
3. Develop processes and protocols for learning more about dogs who may have behavior concerns - some of these problems are solely related to shelter stress. Other problems don't show up due to shelter stress. Educate staff and volunteers about the incredible importance of getting to know dogs in foster care.
4. Develop processes and protocols for documenting behavioral info - so its easy to access the info you need.
5. Make sure the dogs are available for adoption OR foster. Offer short term foster options so people don't have to commit to so much (and many will decide to adopt or long term foster).
6. Focus on the dogs' good qualities. I've fostered many dogs with behavior concerns over the years. Because i fostered dogs who were a good match for my skills and abilities, the positive aspects of having these dogs in my life and helping them far outweighed any potential behavior concern. Most people will tell you they don't want a dog that doesn't love all dogs. However there are tons of people out there who don't understand what being 'dog selective' means and would be happy to take a dog who would be good with their own dog but not dogs out in the world.
7. Grow your foster program in general. More people involved equals more potential behavior fosters.
8. Some of the most important qualities for behavior fosters are: paying close attention to body language and being good at communicating with the behavior team. Pay attention to and encourage the fosters who join your program and have these qualities. (note that none of these qualities require dog expertise)
9. Use a step down approach to fostering. If you have dogs where you're concerned about whether they're safe, start them with your most experienced foster people. Once you determine that that dog is safe, you can step down or move that dog to a slightly less experienced foster, freeing up your MVP foster home for another dog.
10. Appreciate your foster caregivers. Celebrate them. Encourage them to take breaks from fostering. Don't always give them more challenging dogs. If you typically foster more challenging dogs, its super nice to get an easy one every so often.
Sheila
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Sheila Segurson, DVM
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
Director of Outreach and Research
Maddie's Fund
9258608284
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-28-2022 09:42 AM
From: Anonymous Member
Subject: Behaviorally Challenged Dogs
This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
I work in a small town shelter in Maryland. During my short time here I have noticed that there is a lack of dog fosters specifically for the behavior cases. I was wondering if anyone here was in a similar position and what have you found to work to get in fosters for these behavior dogs. None are aggressive to people they have resource guarding, or cant be with small animals or kids, ect. We do have a behaviorist on staff that would be working with the fosters as well. Any thoughts or suggestions would be great! Thank you all for your time!
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