Welcome to our Foster Portal!

Emergency Symptoms and Contact

Veterinary Care

• All medical needs will be handled through Hearts Alive Village’s veterinary team or a partner clinic with which we have an account.
• Non-emergency medical issues, email foster coordinator and they will get back to you within 24 hours

Immediate Emergency examples:

• Lost a foster pet
• A bite that requires medical attention
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Major trauma (hit by car, fall, severe dog fight, etc)
• Difficulty breathing – open mouth or heavy abdominal breathing
• Ingested something toxic/dangerous
• Unable to stand/walk
• Seizure/disorientation/wobbly walk
• Unresponsive/dramatic drop in energy

Non-emergency medical issue examples:

• Vomiting or diarrhea more than once in 24 hours
• Cut or puncture wound with minimal bleeding
• Lethargy/ low appetite
• Nose discharge that is yellow/green, eye discharge that is yellow/green or coughing
• Limping

Crate Training

1. Crate Placement
2. Ensure the crate is positioned in a somewhat dark, low-traffic area of your home.
3. Feeding and Treats
   • Feed your dog all meals inside the crate.
   • Throughout the day, randomly toss high-value treats (such as hot dogs or string cheese) into the crate.
4. Occupying Inside the Crate
   • Always provide something engaging inside the crate. Consider a Kong filled with peanut butter and then frozen. Other foods or puzzle toys can be effective as well. Offering two different food items can create a distraction through choice.
5. Crate Use
   • Do not use the crate as a form of punishment.
   • Cover the crate with a blanket for added security and comfort.
   • Use white noise or classical music to soothe your dog if needed.
6. Relaxation Techniques
   • Implement relaxation protocols inside the crate if you feel ready.
7. Crate Types
   • If your dog struggles with a wire crate, consider trying a plastic airport crate or a more heavy-duty Orion crate.
8. Understanding Behavior
   • Note: It’s common for dogs to bark or cry for about 30 minutes when their humans leave. This is normal. True separation anxiety involves self-harming behaviors to escape or prolonged barking/howling.
9. Support
   • If you need assistance in helping your foster dog remain calm in the crate or while alone, please contact us for guidance.

Excitable Dog Behavior: Mouthiness and Jumping

1. Understanding Mouthiness and Jumping
   • Your foster dog may exhibit jumping or mouthiness as a way to play or say hello.
   • This behavior usually indicates they are seeking attention or trying to engage.

   Action: Encourage polite greetings and play with praise every time your dog behaves appropriately.

2. Encouragement Techniques
   • Play Fetch: Teach your dog to fetch a ball or toy.
   • Waiting for Attention: Your dog should sit before receiving attention; praise them for sitting.
   • Redirect with Toys: Offer a favorite toy during activities that may trigger jumping or mouthing.
   • Regular Exercise: Arrange play dates or games to help your dog expend energy.

   Action: Utilize the strategies above to foster positive interactions and keep your dog engaged and calm.

3. Discouraging Unwanted Behavior
   • Statue Technique: Turn your back, cross your arms, and close your eyes to discourage jumping.
   • Time-Outs: If behavior continues, give a 3-5 minute timeout in a quiet space.
   • Avoid Rough Play: Refrain from wrestling or roughhousing to prevent encouraging aggressive play.
   • Correction Tools: You may use a shaker can or spray water bottle for redirection.

   Action: Implement these techniques consistently to help your foster dog learn appropriate behaviors.

Managing Separation Anxiety

1. Understanding Mouthiness and Jumping
   • Your foster dog may exhibit jumping or mouthiness as a way to play or say hello.
   • This behavior usually indicates they are seeking attention or trying to engage.

   Action: Encourage polite greetings and play with praise every time your dog behaves appropriately.

2. Encouragement Techniques
   • Play Fetch: Teach your dog to fetch a ball or toy.
   • Waiting for Attention: Your dog should sit before receiving attention; praise them for sitting.
   • Redirect with Toys: Offer a favorite toy during activities that may trigger jumping or mouthing.
   • Regular Exercise: Arrange play dates or games to help your dog expend energy.

   Action: Utilize the strategies above to foster positive interactions and keep your dog engaged and calm.

3. Discouraging Unwanted Behavior
   • Statue Technique: Turn your back, cross your arms, and close your eyes to discourage jumping.
   • Time-Outs: If behavior continues, give a 3-5 minute timeout in a quiet space.
   • Avoid Rough Play: Refrain from wrestling or roughhousing to prevent encouraging aggressive play.
   • Correction Tools: You may use a shaker can or spray water bottle for redirection.

   Action: Implement these techniques consistently to help your foster dog learn appropriate behaviors.

Managing Separation Anxiety

1. Understanding Separation Anxiety
   • Occurs when a dog becomes upset during separation from their guardian, whether from leaving the home or just the room.
2. Symptoms of Separation Anxiety
   • Escape attempts from crates, rooms, or the house.
   • Chewing, digging, and destruction, often aimed at escaping.
   • Chewing on walls, door frames, window sills; digging at floors and doorways.
   • Self-injury, generally from escape attempts.
   • Prolonged barking and howling when alone.
   • Defecation and urination when left unattended.
   • Coprophagia (eating feces) when left alone.
   • Drooling, pacing, and anxious behavior as the guardian prepares to leave.

   Note: While some symptoms might indicate need for polite house manners training, if they occur only when the dog is alone, they likely stem from separation anxiety.

3. Addressing Mild Separation Anxiety
   • Counter-conditioning: This involves changing your dog’s reaction to being alone from negative to positive.
   • Steps for Counter-conditioning:
   • Offer your foster dog a puzzle toy filled with food each time you leave, ensuring it will engage them for 20-30 minutes. A Kong stuffed with tasty treats, or even frozen, works well.
   • Remove these special toys upon returning so they remain a unique treat associated with being alone.
   • Feed daily meals from these toys to build positive associations, but note that this works best for mild cases.
4. Providing Mental and Physical Stimulation
   • Physical and mental activity is critical in addressing anxiety-related behavior issues.
   • Activities:
   • Ensure your dog receives at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity (like running or swimming) daily. Exercise before leaving can encourage relaxation.
   • Engage in interactive games such as fetch and tug-of-war.
   • Take daily walks and outings, exploring new routes and locations frequently.
   • Allow off-leash play with other friendly dogs if they enjoy it.
   • Offer food puzzle toys frequently.
   • Encourage “meal hunting” by hiding portions of kibble around the house or yard.
5. Severe Separation Anxiety
   • For more severe cases, please contact us for further assistance.

Managing Leash Reactivity

1. Identifying Leash Reactive Behaviors
   • When walking your foster dog, be aware of behaviors such as:
   • Lunging
   • Pulling
   • Whining
   • Barking
   • Growling
   • Snapping or biting
2. Strategies for Managing Reactivity
   • Preparation: Before every walk, fill your pockets or a bag with delicious treats.
   • Walking Tools: Use a walking tool that your dog responds well to; this could be a specific type of leash or harness.
3. Training Exercises
   • Teaching “Look”:
   • Train your dog to focus on your face by holding a treat next to your eye or on your nose.
   • Command your dog to “look.” When they do, say YES! and give the treat.
   • Begin practices indoors, then progress to outdoor walks without other dogs present.
4. Gradual Exposure
   • Avoid encounters with other dogs for the first week at home. During this time, practice the “look” exercises frequently during walks.
   • Guide your dog by moving the treat in front of their mouth, encouraging movement with you. Then, ask your dog to sit.
5. Handling Encounters with Other Dogs
   • When you first see another dog:
   • Use treats to lure your dog away, continuing to walk even if they are not reactive initially.
   • If your dog remains calm, ask them to look at you and sit, then reward with praise and a treat.
6. Adjusting Distance
   • If your dog reacts to every dog encountered, you may be too close for their comfort. Increase the distance from other dogs to reduce reactivity.

Resource Guarding in Dogs

1. Understanding Resource Guarding
   • Resource guarding is a common behavior where dogs protect items they perceive as high value.
2. Signs of Resource Guarding
   • Displays such as showing teeth, growling, snapping, or biting when an “important” item is approached or touched.
3. Commonly Guarded Items
   • Food
   • Non-allowed items (e.g., trash)
   • High-value treats (e.g., bones)
   • Resting/sleeping areas (e.g., couch, bed)
   • Favorite people
4. Management Strategies
   • Feeding Time:
   • Avoid touching or disturbing your dog while they are eating or chewing.
   • Feed in a private area, like a crate. Lure the dog away with a treat when the bowl is empty before removing it.
   • Schedule meals at specific times instead of providing free access to food.
   • Sleeping and Resting:
   • Avoid touching your dog while they are sleeping.
   • Prevent dogs with a history of growling at rest from accessing beds or furniture; provide a dog bed instead.
   • To move a resting dog, wake them gently with your voice or toss a treat to lure them away, praising when they respond. Alternatively, use a lightweight in-home leash to guide.
   • Handling Stolen Items:
   • Avoid chasing or reprimanding if your dog steals something. Instead, toss a treat away and praise once the item is dropped.
   • Interactive Exercises:
   • If non-possessive over toys, teach fetch and drop games to practice releasing items on command.
5. Consistency is Key
   • Ensure all family members and visitors follow these rules.
   • Keep food and chews out of reach when guests are present.
   • Instruct family members to ask the dog to sit before engaging in activities such as petting, greeting, leashing, door opening, playtime, feeding, or treating.

   By adhering to these guidelines, you can effectively manage resource guarding and promote a more harmonious environment.