Fostering 101: Fundamentals To Being A Successful Dog Foster
Where education empowers you to be a lifeline for dogs in need LEARN MOREBUY NOW
Before we get into the specifics of the course, let’s answer your first question:
Is this the right course for me?
If you’re a foster or considering becoming one and…
Are worried about how to introduce your foster to resident animals safely
Are not sure how to socialize your foster
Have concerns over keeping your children safe
Have anxiety about what exactly you're supposed to do
Are concerned about how to juggle your time, energy and attention with training
Feel overwhelmed with the idea of saying goodbye
Then you have come to the right place. This course is here to empower you with information so you can be a lifeline for dogs in need. I’m here to guide you.
If you are a rescue or shelter looking for group (5 or more) access,
please contact me for group pricing!
By the end of this program, you will have:
A clear understanding
of the importance of management
Thorough guidance
about dog proofing your home
A detailed plan
for introducing your foster to other resident animals
Body language literacy in knowing
how dogs learn and communicate and if that dog really wants a belly rub!
Clear guidance on important topics like
how to handle social media comments like “I could never give them back!”
An action plan for
how to say goodbye over and over
Detailed instructions
on how to set up safe socialization experiences
Insight about
fearful dogs and how to best help them
Specifics about
decompression and integration into your home
Information about
keeping kids safe and educating them on appropriate dog interactions
Creative ideas
to meet your foster’s needs when time and energy are short
The necessary tools
to help market your foster, how to write a catchy bio and what is important to communicate to your organization
… and so, so much more!
Sign Up Today!
Fostering 101: Fundamentals To Being A Successful Dog Foster
Online Course18 Detailed Modules
- Over 2 dozen downloadable handouts
- Video examples
- Training plans and more
What’s Inside
The Course
Module 1: Introduction
- Welcome
- A little about me
- What we will be covering
- Thank you for fostering
Module 2: Foster Responsibilities
- What is really important to do as a foster
- Documenting your journey
Module 3: Dog Proofing Your Home
- Dog proofing list
- Yes, even if you have a resident dog
Module 4: What Is A Healthy Animal
- Physical Health
- Behavioral Health
- Environmental Health
Module 5: Decompression and Integration Into Your Home
- What is decompression?
- Debunking the 3/3/3 Rule
- Realistic expectations
- Dog and other animal intros
Module 6: Dog Training Methods
- The importance of using positive reinforcement only
- What the research shows us
Module 7: How Dogs Learn
- Consequences and associations
- Myth busting: Alpha/Dominance
- What is punishment?
- What to do when a dog growls
Module 8: Dog Body Language & Communication
- Learn how to “speak dog”
- Understand how dogs communicate
- Learn how to identify subtle signs of anxiety, worry or fear in your dog
- Examples of uncomfortable and comfortable dogs
- Video examples
- Is your dog really “kissing” your child?
Module 9: Displacement and Appeasement Behaviors
- What are displacement and appeasement behaviors
- How are they different and similar?
- Humping
- Excitement, submissive and appeasement urination
- Does that dog really want a belly rub?
Module 10: Dog Play & Other Animals
- Meta Signals
- Role Reversals
- Activity Changes
- Consent Tests
- Self Handicapping
- Cat and other animal introductions
Module 11: Socialization
- What is socialization?
- Unvaccinated puppies
- Socialization checklist
- Socialization outings
- Flooding
Module 12: Fearful Dogs
- How fear is acquired
- How to care for a fearful dog
- Single event learning
- Hand feeding
- Letting dogs sniff your hand
Module 13: Kids and Fosters: Separation and Supervision
- What are the different types of supervision?
- The importance of teaching kids how to appropriately interact with dogs
Module 14: The Importance of Enrichment
- What is enrichment?
- Why is enrichment important?
- Ideas for implementing enrichment
- Exercising with outside access
- Video examples
Module 15: Training You Can Begin
- What to train
- Separation anxiety vs confinement anxiety
Module 16: Management
- What is management?
- Why is it important?
Module 17: Saying goodbye
- Celebrate!
- How to remember your fosters
- Helping kids say goodbye
- Do it all over again!
Module 18: Wrap Up and Additional Resources
- Additional resources
- Where to find me
Meet Your Course Instructor
Kate LaSala, CTC, CBCC-KA, PCBC-A, CSAT, FFCP-E
Course Instructor
As a professional dog trainer and multi-credentialed certified behavior consultant specializing in fear and aggression, I’ve helped thousands dogs overcome issues their guardians thought were impossible – separation anxiety, fear of strangers, resource guarding, growling at kids and more.
I am a former shelter training for a NYC shelter and my family and I have fostered almost 70 dogs (as of May 2025), many of which were fearful when they came to us. This experience, along with over 7,300 hours of one-on-one training fearful dogs, gives me a unique perspective to help you become the best foster you can be!
Fostering is so important and I want to help you gain a better understanding of dogs, dog communication and how you can best set up your foster to go on to live their best life. And, I want to help you be prepared for some of the challenges fostering brings, both emotionally and practically, when you’re living with a new dog.
Thank you for fostering. Thank you for breaking your heart over and over, just a little, to give these animals a chance at a better life.
Sign Up Today!
Fostering 101: Fundamentals To Being A Successful Dog Foster
Online Course18 Detailed Modules
- Over 2 dozen downloadable handouts
- Video examples
- Training plans and more