Fire Relief Fosters
Thank you for fostering in this crucial time
Prioritize Safety
Moving to a new place with new people can always be hard on dogs. To do so in a time of crisis and stress may add to potential for a dog to escape, get lost, or behave unlike their normal selves. Please be sure to:
Use a drag leash
A drag leash is a leash that stays on all the time. It allows you to guide the dog without reaching at or handling them. Do not grab their collar to move them. Make a drag leash by cutting the length as long or as short as you need and burn the end to prevent fraying. A nervous or fearful dog may need a longer leash. As your dog becomes more comfortable with handling, you can shorten or cut the leash. Put the primary leash on before removing the drag leash for walks.
Temporary tags
Make sure your foster has your phone number on them. Temporary key tags like these are usually easy to find if you cannot find a pet store with tag maker.
Collars
We recommend martingale collars because they are far less likely to slip off, but a flat collar is far better than no collar. No matter the collar, it is important that the collar is fit to the dog.
Car Transport
When transporting a dog in the car (especially a new or scared dog), it is crucial that they are tethered to the car. If you do not have a tether attached to the inside of the car, we recommend knotting the leash, and closing it in your door. This will give you something to hold on to as you get the dog out, and prevent them from climbing into the drivers seat on your journey.
Keep windows shut to prevent you and the dog from breathing in the polluted air, and to keep the dog safe inside the car.
Crate
We include in depth descriptions about the benefits of crate training in this guide, but it is a very useful tool for integrating new dogs and allowing a scared dog the time and space to adjust. If you do not have a crate, and cannot get one, please email us at hello@dogcoalitionla.org and we will do our best to locate one for you.