Adoption Basics
Items to buy.
Wondering what essentials you should have before bringing your new dog home? We’ve got you covered!
First and foremost, we encourage you to shop local whenever possible. Supporting small businesses not only keeps your dollars in your community but also helps sustain pet stores that prioritize your pet’s well-being and provide personalized service. Investing in businesses that value both you and your pet ensures you’re getting quality products while strengthening the pet-loving community around you. While we do link Amazon items as examples, we encourage you to shop small.
Our adoptable dogs come with collars, leashes, a toy, a cow hoof, at least two meals of current food, and records.
Here is our recommended shopping list for new adopters:
- Appropriately sized crate – All of our fosters are actively crate trained, and it’s essential to continue using this valuable tool, especially when your dog is unsupervised or sleeping. Avoid purchasing a crate that is too large, as excessive space can lead to accidents and prevent your dog from experiencing the cozy, den-like environment that crates are designed to provide. Dogs are natural denning animals, and a properly sized crate will be key to their transition and long-term success in your home.
We strongly recommend choosing a SINGLE DOOR crate with a secure locking mechanism (not just basic latches) for added safety. You can find an example of a well-designed crate here. Notice the door lock as apposed to simple latches.
- Durable chew toys like cow hooves, Benebones, antlers, and collagen sticks. Dogs who have appropriate outlets for chewing chew less of your belongings! Do not purchase cow hooves on Amazon, as they are much harder than American sourced cow hooves you can find at your local feed store. Benebones are almost always a hit, and collagen sticks remain one of the safest choices.
- Enrichment toys like Kongs and lick mats. Freeze peanut butter or wet food on these items for an engaging and soothing treat. We recommend Soda Pup lick mats as they are extremely durable. Kongs also have been very reliable.
- Slow feeder bowl (not for flat-nosed dogs). Freeze some wet food in your slow feeder bowl and add kibble and other food items at dinner time for a more satisfying meal. We have found that Soda Pup slow feeders are by far the most durable and least likely to be destroyed. Feed your newly adopted pup in its crate.
- Harness. We recommend purchasing a front hook harness as it helps discourage pulling, but you will also want a harness with a back hook for use in the car if needed. This product is a good example.
- Travel crate or restraint/safety item for the car. Don't travel with loose dogs in the car! We recommend you use a soft travel crate to transport your newly adopted canine. There are alternatively other types of restraints for the car and safety items available on the market. You can purchase a clip for the safety belt and pair it with a harness as another safe and sound option.
- Training treats – These are an essential tool for reinforcing positive behavior and helping your newly adopted dog learn the rules of your home. Training treats are small, low-calorie bites, allowing you to reward frequently without overfeeding. They’re perfect for quick training sessions that not only teach obedience but also provide valuable mental stimulation for your dog. Keeping a stash of high-value treats on hand will make training more effective and enjoyable for both of you!
- Dog food. We feed Fromm brand food, as they are a family owned company with a longstanding history of putting pet’s health first. In their 70 years of operating, they have never had a recall. Fromm typically is not available through large retailers. You are most likely to find it at a local pet food store.
& last, but not least,
- Secure a trainer or reserve a spot in a dog obedience class. You won't regret it. This is the best way to ensure a successful adoption: work with a professional. Foster Tales will provide support to you, but nothing is better than having a professional in person to work with.
What to be prepared for.
They have a saying in dog rescue: the first three days, three weeks, and three months. If you follow best practices, you will see vast improvement within the first few days of adoption. After three weeks of routine, your dog will continue to blossom and get the hang of house rules. After three months, you won't believe you ever lived without your precious canine.
That being said, adopting a new best friend doesn't come with its challenges. Things won't go perfectly; your precious pup will even make mistakes. But with the right methods, we can limit these mistakes and adjust behavior to fit your lifestyle.
Expect to spend the first few days primarily on the dog. Does that mean you must be around the dog constantly for the first few days? No. In addition to other activities, you need to perform away training, where you gradually introduce the dog to being alone in the crate.
When you adopt from Foster Tales, you will receive pre-adoption counseling from a trainer to give you a guide for success.
For our feline lovers…
Although many of our dogs test 'cat safe,' most of them have never lived with one. This means you need to plan to work with your newly adopted dog on leash indoors around the cat and be prepared to use both corrections and positive reinforcement. With time and patience, comes success. However, we require you to never leave your cat and dog alone together while you are away or sleeping. It is best to always use caution.
Create a lifelong bond through training.
Training is a must in partnerships between humans and dogs. Not highly specialized or time intensive training--just simple pet training reviewing sit, stay, come, and down does the trick. Training allows you to connect and communicate effectively with your dog throughout its life. Basic 15 minute training sessions once a day can work wonders by positively driving engagement and burning through unused energy.
How should you begin training your dog? With a professional, of course! Enroll in obedience classes or schedule a session from a professional dog trainer before you bring your newly adopted dog home.
