Foster Resources
Setting your foster freegle up for success!
Whether you are an experienced foster or new to this amazing journey, the first two weeks can be an exceptionally challenging and emotional time for you and your foster freegle.
All our dogs have come from a research environment and have no real world experience. It is up to us to teach them to be good citizens and help them learn the rules of living life outside the lab.
As much as the dogs will need to have rules and guidance so do our fosters.
Foster Rules:
Be patient. This can be easier said than done as your foster freegle just soiled in the house for the 10th time. Be assured they do not know any better. In the lab the freegles live in a co-housed kennel with other same sex dogs. They have no concept of where to toilet. They become very confused when we put these new demands on them. Especially if it is too cold, too hot, raining, snowing, traffic, other dogs, and on and on. Everything we take for granted is new to them and we must practice patience as we help them to learn to navigate this great big world.
Be kind but consistent. In order for our new freegles to learn to be successful in the world is it up to us to help them by being gentle but consistent in their training. This can be challenging when you come to realize how incredibly sweet our dogs are or how frustrating they can be as they are refusing to walk on leash or you both standing shivering in the rain while you wait for them to potty outside. You are the first family our dogs have ever lived with and they need time to learn the rules of your home.
Remember what brought you here today. Somewhere along the way you discovered that dogs were used in research and you made a decision to be a part of BeFreegle and help give these dogs the lives they deserve. We owe these dogs a huge debit of gratitude but we also owe you our gratitude as well. Giving our dogs a home to live in, love and patience, putting up with the frustrations of their stubbornness, at the end of the day they are beagles after all, are priceless. But within a short period of time you will realize they are finally “getting it”. Pottying is for outside not in the corner of the bedroom! These seemingly small victories are a reason to celebrate both you and your foster freegle. There is solid evidence showing that most of our fosters become foster fails. There is a bonding experience between you and your foster freegle as you are their first helper outside of the lab. You get to witness the small victories and share that joy with them.
Your first few days. These can be the most challenging days as your foster freegle is working so hard to be brave in a completely unfamiliar environment. As much as you can set up ahead of time the better. BeFreegle will provide you with the tools you need to hep make the transition as smooth as possible.
- Provide a quiet space for them to retreat to, if they need a time out.
- Accept that things may not go according to plan and you will need to adjust.
- Every freegle is different, has different needs, and will proceed at their own pace.
- This isn’t a race but a journey.
- Enjoy, as much as you can, the early days of bonding.
- Keep a close eye on your new foster freegle. Help them explore their new world.
- Sights and sounds both inside and outside of your home are all new. Some are afraid of cars zooming past, others frightened by the tv, or the vacuum cleaner. Go slowly, let them show you what they are ready for. Desensitization exercises are helpful in getting them familiar with their new home. Introduce things slowly and remember to take a few steps back if they seem to regress. That is not unusual at all.
Important!!
Your foster freegle MUST wear their collar and BeFreegle ID tag 24/7. Beagles are excellent escape artists. They can dig a hole, hop a fence, or take advantage of an open door or gate to bolt. This is an emergency situation and while prevention is the best course of action to take you must call us at once as you are running down the street after them! We really do not want to get this phone call so please take good care and keep an eye on your foster freegle.
Helping your foster freegle learn the rules.
Housetraining 101: This can be the most challenging rule for your foster freegle to learn. Some pick it up quickly, others seem to just not get it. BeFreegle recommends crate training your foster freegle. While some resist this idea we promise it is not forever, only until your foster freegle understands where it is appropriate to potty.
- Start on day one. When you get your foster freegle home, designate one spot outside where you would like them to potty. Remember being consistent is key. Make time in your schedule to take them out often. Set them up for success.
- Regardless if you have a fenced yard or not, always accompany your foster freegle outside.
- If they have not toileted in a while and you know they will have to go soon, bring them outside immediately.
- Stand in one spot and give them about 10 minutes. Most will stand there unaware that something is supposed to happen. Don’t despair take them back inside and either tether them to you or confine them to a small area or the crate and try again in 30 minutes.
- If they do potty outside make it a celebration! But wait until they are done with their business, as your excitement may stop the process and none of us want that!
- NEVER scold your freegle or try to put their nose in it if they soil in the house. This has been shown to be detrimental to the housetraining process and actually teaches your foster freegle that eliminating in front of you is dangerous.
- If your foster freegle is showing anxiety when crated first try placing a blanket over their crate. If that doesn’t calm them reach out to us for additional guidance. Don’t wait until you become overly frustrated. We’ve all been where you are an understand the challenges.
Leash walking: Teaching your foster freegle to walk politely on leash is not only important to us in finding them a forever home, it is important for your foster freegle to begin to explore the outside world. Studies have shown how important it is for a dogs wellbeing to explore beyond their own backyard. As with housetraining, some take to it quickly, others hold back unaware of what is expected of them. Your foster freegle will let you know what they are ready for.
- Start slowly. Try putting the leash and harness on your foster freegle indoors and let them drag it around for a bit. This will help them to become accustomed to the feel of the harness. Remember, before coming to us, they have never worn a harness.
- Once your foster freegle is comfortable indoors you can try venturing outside with them. Keep it short and sweet. Lots of praise for being so brave. If they are particularly fearful sit with them and assure them that all is ok. Never push them until they are ready. It’s ok to give them a nudge.
- Gradually increase the time outside with them and begin to help them to start walking and exploring.
- If your foster freegle is refusing to walk at all try a high value treat, chicken or something they don’t normally have. Make it high value to encourage their cooperation. Be aware that they are smarter than we think and may refuse to walk UNLESS you give them a treat!
- NEVER pull or drag your foster freegle. This will only delay the process. Rather if they refuse to walk, pick them up and go back to the step one. Once they feel safe they will begin to explore the neighborhood.
- If you are struggling, please reach out to us for assistance. We are here for you.
All foster freegles should be kept off the furniture in the home. Our freegles do not understand the concept of sleeping on any kind of furniture. They’ve never had that luxury before. Not every adoptive family will want to allow their new freegle to sleep on the furniture. This is actually not unusual at all. People can be good pet parents and not allow their pets on the furniture. It is easier for a new adoptive family to teach their freegle to sleep on the furniture than to try to untrain them to not sleep on the sofa! Please do not allow them on your furniture but sit on the floor with them and snuggle them to your hearts content!! Or hold them in your lap while sitting. Remember, we are a temporary home for our freegles until they get adopted. Our goal is to have polite well trained freegles who reflect well on BeFreegle.