Last week, I was a guest on The Pet Loss Companion podcast (Episode #212) where I shared how fostering became an important part of my grief journey after losing Boo. I also talked about my self-paced course, Fostering 101: Fundamentals to Being a Successful Foster—available here!
Fostering has helped us process our grief, test the waters of having a new dog in our home, and give shelter dogs a much-needed break. Truly a win-win.
One thing we always do before bringing in a new foster? Dog proof the house, top to bottom.
Even though our home has been dog-friendly for decades, every new dog is an unknown. That means taking extra steps to ensure their safety (and protect our stuff!). Dog-proofing isn’t just about caution—it’s about setting the dog up for success from day one.
In Fostering 101, I talk extensively about the importance of dog-proofing. In fact, that topic is available as a free sample module so you can get a feel for the course before diving in.
To go along with it, I created a handy downloadable checklist to walk you through everything you need to check before welcoming a dog into your home:
🎁 Download the FREE Dog Proof Your Home Checklist here
Whether you’re fostering, adopting, or just dog-sitting for the weekend, dog-proofing helps ensure the experience is safe, secure, and stress-free—for both you and your canine guest. This is a great resource for everyone.
Even if you have resident dogs, don’t assume a new dog will behave the same way. They may be stressed, overly curious, or extra energetic, which can lead to:
- Chewed cords
- Destroyed or stolen baby blankies or toys
- Trash diving and counter surfing
- Toilet water “taste testing”
- …or even an emergency vet visit
We’ve fostered nearly 70 dogs, and every one has taught us something new! If you’re preparing to foster, check out my guide: How to Be a Successful Foster.
💡 Are you part of a rescue or shelter?
Contact me for discounted group access to Fostering 101: Fundamentals to Being a Successful Foster.
🐾 Thinking about fostering?
This course was made for you. You’ll learn everything from setting up your home, managing behavior, integrating fosters with resident pets, and—of course—dog-proofing.
👉 Access the Fostering 101 course today.
🎁 Download the FREE Dog Proof Checklist
If you would like to support my efforts and make a contribution to allow me to continue to create resources like this course and all of my free resources, you can Buy Me A Coffee!
Happy training!
