Do you notice any personality changes in your dogs. Did they seem different after you had been fostering for a while?

Here is my scenario..............Bandit seems to be less accommodating recently with the fosters. In the past he seemed to make friends immediately (not with everyone of them :brow: ) and was always willing to play chase, bitey face and tug. He really enjoyed having new friends, especially because Dakota does not usually engage in these fun games. Lately however he seems to be quite grumpy. The last few fosters have been subject to some warning growls and barks for the first few days and a total "leave me alone" attitude from him. With some it was only for the first few days and then he seemed to be willing to let up and would start playing. With others he never let up and once the foster realized he was not going to play they just quit trying. One in particular had absolutely NO social skills and was very annoying and didn't seem to ever "get it". Bandit did not like him at all.

Do you think that your dogs get sick of new dogs invading their territory all the time? Do you think that maybe he is just getting older and less tolerant of the constant changes? I worry that I am doing something wrong, that my behavior could be making him envious.........I have a tendency to baby some of the fosters that I feel really need my attention which isn't good for them or for Bandit and I am currently changing that attitude. Could this be what is causing Bandit's problem...........that he doesn't trust me to do the right thing?

Maybe I am humanizing all of this too much. I believe that I have coddled them to much. We are now doing more training and I am making them work for treats and attention. I learn something new everyday, with each new dog and realize that there are so many things I should be doing that I am not doing.

I realize that some dogs just may not get along. This has happened before it just seems to happen more frequently lately. Dakota never has been one to play with the fosters, that is just her personality. That has NOT been Bandit's personality.

I must say that Bandit LOVED Fiona and played with her all the time. It was Jack that he had a serious problem with. He is now pretty much ignoring Maxim but I am hoping that they will start playing. Am I just expecting too much to want him to play with all of them?

I would really appreciate some feedback. I probably worry too much but do wonder if other people have experienced the same thing. Thanks!

Jill, how many humans are in your house? If there is no one else paying attention to Bandit, he might be jealous over the attention that the new ones are getting. I was fortunate in that Holly was really DH's girl -- they cuddle every night. Miah was not a cuddler at all. So, I was free to cuddle with my foster dog and no one cared! Miah has since become a cuddler (happened after we moved here and there were no fosters around), so I have gone the extra mile to make sure that she feels like she is getting time to snuggle with me now that Joy is with us forever. But, there have been times with particularly demanding foster dogs when my girls have felt a little left out -- I have seen it with Holly because she is such a sensitive one. And, I have also seen their frustration when a new dog just doesn't "get it," as you said. Mine seem to wonder why the new guy doesn't seem to "speak dog," and they don't know how else to communicate that they don't want to play or be bothered. It seems to happen more with the wild teenagers, I think. But, Holly doesn't really lose her cool, and Miah has been doling out warning snaps for a while. When other cues fail, the snap seems to tell them to lay off.
In what order do you feed them? Do they eat before or after you? When you open the door to let them out, what happens? Who goes first? Just trying to figure out if there is some sort of hierarchy problem under this....

I have noticed that my American Bulldog does seem to be getting tired of fosters. In the beginning she would play with them all the time but now she plays sometimes but does some warning snarls and goes upstairs alone when she's done. I think that this might be because one of my fosters attacked her in March so she's not as friendly as she used to be. She's fine outside of the house but she's being a little grumpy inside. Basically I'm just watching her really closely when she's around the other dog so that if something does happen I can break it up quickly.
I think that the foster dog's manners play a huge role though. The one I have right now, a 8 month chocolate mix, has no doggie manners. My dog, Rose, can be sleeping on the couch and the foster will just jump on her with no warning. I would get frustrated too! I'm having the animal behaviorist come in and observe to see if I'm missing some signs. The puppy, Sammy doesn't mind, listen or even care if I'm talking to her so we've got to get some obedience or she'll never get placed.
Laura

Thanks for the responses. :thumb4:

Jill, there are other people in my house but they don't give them the attention that I do.........read as: they won't throw the ball all the time like I do..........:o: BTW I am putting a stop to that too. Dakota has decided that my role is the ball thrower, 24/7. Dumb me! They have me trained and it is time to take back control. :D

Bandit is sensitive like your Molly and has a much harder time with the "teenagers" than Dakota. Dakota lets them know within the first few hours that she is not to be messed with.............they all know it and keep their distance. Bandit....not so good at it. He lets them get away with a lot more and they don't take him seriously. He has a terrible time telling the ones with no social skills (the demanding ones) to leave him alone. He has actually drawn blood when he finally gets mad enough, usually gets their ears. I try to keep these unruly fosters in line so that he doesn't have to do the training but sometimes things happen that I don't see or catch fast enough.

I have actually started feeding them in order, Dakota, Bandit and then the foster and it did seem to help with the last foster. I do have to admit that Dakota ALWAYS goes in a door first, before me and Bandit will wait until I go in. I have never taught him that, he just has always done it. The fosters are usually trying to jump over EVERYONE to get in the door first and I have not done enough to stop that..........so I am sure there is a hierarchy problem......certainly with Dakota but especially with the fosters since I am not getting it under control as soon as they come into the house (and Dakota doesn't do it).

I need to get back the control huh? If I do I'll bet Bandit will be a much happier boy, Dakota will learn to entertain herself :rolleyes: and the fosters will feel more secure. OK it is time to get off my butt and quit procrastinating. :p:

Lisa (MRS LISA) suggested making some one on one time for them which I think will help too.

Rose's Mom, I am sorry about your girl being attacked, sure hope she feels like playing again soon. :( I totally agree with you about the foster dogs with no manners. The last boy I had had not been socialized at all. He was 11 months old and had a really hard time "speaking dog".. (;) Jill). Bandit had a really hard time with him. I think it's great that you are having an animal behaviorist come in. We actually got the last foster enrolled in a training class with us when we were taking our own dogs.........it helped so much. There was a drastic difference in his listening skills.:thumb4:

Fostering is one of the most rewarding experiences I ever been involved with. It sounds as though you love it too, despite the problems. Sounds like we are both "working at it". :hug:

Sounds like there might be a hierarchy thing going on. I think Bandit will feel more secure when you get that order established. Do you know how to do "wait" at doors? I'd work on that -- gradually opening the door a little more each time and shutting it fast before anyone can get out while using the word "wait." They catch on and learn that they can go out when released, and you go first.
And one-on-one time is important -- maybe do walks alone with the ones who like to walk, maybe a trip to the treat store on a Saturday, maybe a visit to the dog park, etc.

Sounds like there might be a hierarchy thing going on. I think Bandit will feel more secure when you get that order established. Do you know how to do "wait" at doors? I'd work on that -- gradually opening the door a little more each time and shutting it fast before anyone can get out while using the word "wait." They catch on and learn that they can go out when released, and you go first.
And one-on-one time is important -- maybe do walks alone with the ones who like to walk, maybe a trip to the treat store on a Saturday, maybe a visit to the dog park, etc.

Thanks Jill. I didn't know how to do wait so thanks for the tip. I will start on that tonight. :thumb4:

Usually the only one on one time they get is to the vet :( so it would be much more fun if we went to the store or the park. ;)

Could it be that Fiona was a girl and Maxim and Jack were boys? Maybe he just wants another girlfriend.

Autumn has changed. She used to LOVE a new dog coming in..now she completely ignores them, almost acting afraid. I was thinking it's her age she between 4 and 5 now.

Not Lexie thought, Lexie is 6..she like Lexie immediately and Lexie was grouchy..lol

What Deneen said about Autumn & Lexie just reminded me of something else. Holly is always happier to see yellow dogs come in -- and if it is a yellow puppy, look out! She thinks puppies are fabulous! She does get a little sulky when the dog is not yellow. I'm not even kidding. There was a thread recently on dogs' preferences for their own kind, and I didn't post in it, but I have posted in other threads about her preference for yellows. I noticed it at dog park when she was fairly young. If there were other retrievers, she went for them. If there were labs specifically, she preferred them. If they were yellow, those were the ones she wanted to hang around the most. Miah does seem to bond more with the chocolates, but she doesn't get sulky like Holly if the incoming dog is not chocolate. Someone else mentioned a gender preference. Do you see any pattern of color, age, or gender preference with Bandit?

What Deneen said about Autumn & Lexie just reminded me of something else. Holly is always happier to see yellow dogs come in -- and if it is a yellow puppy, look out! She thinks puppies are fabulous! She does get a little sulky when the dog is not yellow. I'm not even kidding. There was a thread recently on dogs' preferences for their own kind, and I didn't post in it, but I have posted in other threads about her preference for yellows. I noticed it at dog park when she was fairly young. If there were other retrievers, she went for them. If there were labs specifically, she preferred them. If they were yellow, those were the ones she wanted to hang around the most. Miah does seem to bond more with the chocolates, but she doesn't get sulky like Holly if the incoming dog is not chocolate. Someone else mentioned a gender preference. Do you see any pattern of color, age, or gender preference with Bandit?

That is so funny! At the dog park Hudson does beeline for the retrievers and will usually play with any colour lab but will get so excited over a chocolate...I just thought it was personality, lol

Do you notice any personality changes in your dogs. Did they seem different after you had been fostering for a while?

Here is my scenario..............Bandit seems to be less accommodating recently with the fosters. In the past he seemed to make friends immediately (not with everyone of them :brow: ) and was always willing to play chase, bitey face and tug. He really enjoyed having new friends, especially because Dakota does not usually engage in these fun games. Lately however he seems to be quite grumpy. The last few fosters have been subject to some warning growls and barks for the first few days and a total "leave me alone" attitude from him. With some it was only for the first few days and then he seemed to be willing to let up and would start playing. With others he never let up and once the foster realized he was not going to play they just quit trying. One in particular had absolutely NO social skills and was very annoying and didn't seem to ever "get it". Bandit did not like him at all.

Do you think that your dogs get sick of new dogs invading their territory all the time? Do you think that maybe he is just getting older and less tolerant of the constant changes? I worry that I am doing something wrong, that my behavior could be making him envious.........I have a tendency to baby some of the fosters that I feel really need my attention which isn't good for them or for Bandit and I am currently changing that attitude. Could this be what is causing Bandit's problem...........that he doesn't trust me to do the right thing?

Maybe I am humanizing all of this too much. I believe that I have coddled them to much. We are now doing more training and I am making them work for treats and attention. I learn something new everyday, with each new dog and realize that there are so many things I should be doing that I am not doing.

I realize that some dogs just may not get along. This has happened before it just seems to happen more frequently lately. Dakota never has been one to play with the fosters, that is just her personality. That has NOT been Bandit's personality.

I must say that Bandit LOVED Fiona and played with her all the time. It was Jack that he had a serious problem with. He is now pretty much ignoring Maxim but I am hoping that they will start playing. Am I just expecting too much to want him to play with all of them?

I would really appreciate some feedback. I probably worry too much but do wonder if other people have experienced the same thing. Thanks!

I've had the same issue with one of my dogs. He has always in the past been the "one" dog that could not wait to play with a new foster. Lately he just seems to get agitated at the fact. I read recently that sometimes the "alpha" dog in the dog pack, will get to a point of being disturbed over things that mess up "their daily routine"...This somewhat makes some sense to me..

I was a bit let down that this particular dog did not seem to want to take in Emmi (a foster originally, but we adopted her) but he has now taken up with her very well:) I would not worry to much, however I do understand how you feel..as I felt the same when this one dog went from so excepting to not so excepting..

Jen

Wow, I wasn't able to get on yesterday and come back to see so many responses. :thumb4:

Thanks everyone........I thought I was just being overly sensitive but if other people have experienced the same thing it is not my imagination. I do notice that Bandit plays with the pups much more than the older dogs. Maybe because most of them have no hangups yet, or they are too young and hyper to take offense. :rolleyes: They jump right in. For example while my current foster (Maxim) is very sweet and doesn't push himself on Bandit he doesn't seem to understand what bitey face is............he will get nose to nose with Bandit but seems a little afraid when Bandit starts to growl and bite. Maxim doesn't seem to understand it is just play and stiffens up or jumps on top of Bandit and then Bandit gets mad.

PATEX What Deneen said about Autumn & Lexie just reminded me of something else. Holly is always happier to see yellow dogs come in -- and if it is a yellow puppy, look out! She thinks puppies are fabulous! She does get a little sulky when the dog is not yellow. I'm not even kidding. There was a thread recently on dogs' preferences for their own kind, and I didn't post in it, but I have posted in other threads about her preference for yellows. I noticed it at dog park when she was fairly young. If there were other retrievers, she went for them. If there were labs specifically, she preferred them. If they were yellow, those were the ones she wanted to hang around the most. Miah does seem to bond more with the chocolates, but she doesn't get sulky like Holly if the incoming dog is not chocolate. Someone else mentioned a gender preference. Do you see any pattern of color, age, or gender preference with Bandit?

Jill, that is funny that Holly prefers the same color dogs (I missed that thread). :D No, I have not noticed that Bandit has a preference. He played with my second foster Roxi, who was a black puppy (over 6 months), big old Luke, the huge "puppy" (over 6 months) who was also black but BAndit also LOVED Fiona who was yellow and about 5-6 months old. Fiona and Bandit played bitey face ALL of the time. She was a tough little thing and gave as good as she got. ;) Bandit can get pretty rough.

It does seem as if the fosters I have had lately have had more issues........each dog is so different. Bandit seems less willing to give them a chance or maybe he is getting older and smarter and knows right away whether they will be able to play the way he wants to play.

Ace'sCamille Could it be that Fiona was a girl and Maxim and Jack were boys? Maybe he just wants another girlfriend.

He does love the girls :brow: but he absolutely LOVED Luke (now Rasta). Everyone loved Luke. :D He was soooooo easy.

autumnsmom Autumn has changed. She used to LOVE a new dog coming in..now she completely ignores them, almost acting afraid. I was thinking it's her age she between 4 and 5 now.



I wondered if it is that he is getting older and less tolerant. :confused:

kallie

I've had the same issue with one of my dogs. He has always in the past been the "one" dog that could not wait to play with a new foster. Lately he just seems to get agitated at the fact. I read recently that sometimes the "alpha" dog in the dog pack, will get to a point of being disturbed over things that mess up "their daily routine"...This somewhat makes some sense to me..

I was a bit let down that this particular dog did not seem to want to take in Emmi (a foster originally, but we adopted her) but he has now taken up with her very well I would not worry to much, however I do understand how you feel..as I felt the same when this one dog went from so excepting to not so excepting..

Jen

I guess this is just part of fostering........ we learn more and more and so do our dogs. I guess it wasn't THAT long ago that Bandit enjoyed one of the fosters (Fiona) so it does still happen. I do worry about my own dogs but I know they will follow my lead as far as a certain degree of acceptance but I guess they have to be able to decide whether they like or dislike the new foster and whether they want to play with them or not.

It is nice to know that I am not the only one that has noticed this and been concerned about it. It makes me feel better and I WILL try not to worry about it :thumb4: .........we will just take it one foster at a time.

Thanks everyone for your feedback...... I feel much better! :hug: