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Fostering Dogs
- 1. Why Foster A Dog and What Does It Entail?
- 2. 20 Questions to Ask Before You Foster A Dog
- 3. How to Be the Best Dog Foster Parent
- 4. How to Assess Your Foster Dog for Adoption
- 5. Socializing Young Puppies
- 6. How to Let Go of Your Foster Dog
How to Assess Your Foster Dog for Adoption
By Jane Harrell, Petfinder.com associate producer
Assessing your foster dog for adoption is a vital role any foster parent plays in the adoption process. You live, feed, play with and have the closest contact of anyone else with your foster dog and can help identify traits that will determine what kind of home he should be placed in.
Below is an example of an assessment form from a Petfinder.com member shelter. Your shelter or rescue might ask you to fill out something similar to help describe your foster dog. You may also be asked to write a short description of him for his Petfinder listing, or to describe his behavior to potential adopters. Use the assessment form below to help guide you in getting the vital information to your rescue or shelter:
Assessment Form - Dog
Please indicate (circle one for each) how the foster dog is doing with each item. Thanks!
How long has the dog been in foster care: ________________
Behavior
Food bowl:
- Good
- Eats faster when approached
- Freezes over food
Furniture:
- Not on
- Is easily moved off
- Won't get off
Basic Handling
Can open muzzle:
- Easily
- Fair
- Clamps down
Can easily touch:
- Everywhere
- Everywhere Except (list):___________________
Hug:
- Likes
- Dislikes (struggles/growls)
Brushing:
- Likes
- Dislikes
Play:
- Mouthy/can redirect
- Mouthy/overly excited/can't redirect
Toys:
- Can take all away
- Can take some away
- Can't take away
Crate trained:
- Likes crate
- Dislikes crate
- Didn't try to crate
Obedience Commands
Dog knows (circle all that apply):
- Sit
- Down
- Watch
- No jumping on guests
- Other: __________
Socialization
Car rides:
- Likes/doesn't bark
- Likes/barks
- Doesn't like
Strangers:
- Likes all
- Dislikes all
- Likes only women
- Likes only men
Children:
- Likes all
- Dislikes all
- Likes over age:_____
- Don't know
Dogs:
- Likes all
- Dislikes when restricted (leash/fence)
- Dislikes
- Don't know
Cats:
- Likes
- Dislikes
- Don't know
In General
Is housebroken:
- Yes
- No
- Accidents only when left alone
Is destructive/chews:
- Yes
- No
- Only when left alone
Overall (circle all that apply):
- Shy
- Assertive/bold
- Active
- Quiet
- Afraid of Noises
- Playful
- Walks nicely on a leash
- Pulls on a leash
How long is dog left alone during day: ________
- Crated
- Not Crated
Next in
How You Can Help Pets: Fostering Dogs:
Socializing Young Puppies
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