At Real Good Rescue, every dog we save is thanks to the incredible dedication of our foster parents. We don’t have a physical location — our dogs go straight into homes where they can heal, decompress, and start over. Without fosters, we couldn’t do what we do.

If you’ve ever thought about fostering a dog — or you’re already doing it and want to make the experience even better — here’s what it really means to be a Real Good Foster.

Be Patient During the Adjustment Period (and Beyond)

The first few days in a new home can be overwhelming for dogs. They may be anxious, unsure, or even shut down. A calm, structured environment helps them settle, but patience is what helps them trust.

You’ll often hear about the 3-3-3 rule — three days to decompress, three weeks to learn routines, and three months to feel at home. It’s a helpful reference, but it’s not a stopwatch. Every dog is different. Some open up in days, others take months. Don’t rush their process or assume they’ll “get over it” on a timeline — they’re learning to feel safe again.

Communicate with Your Rescue Team

Fostering is a team effort. Your rescue team is here to support you every step of the way, but we can only help if we know what’s happening.

Keep us posted on behavior changes, appetite, energy levels, and overall mood — both the good and the challenging. If something feels off, reach out. If something feels amazing, share that too. Those real-time updates help us guide you, make better decisions for the dog, and get them seen by the right adopters faster.

“I feel so supported fostering with Real Good Rescue. I know 24 hours a day there is someone I can reach out to. When one of my fosters had an allergic reaction to a bug bite, they got back to me right away with a care plan. You’re not alone!”

Provide Structure and Routine (Even When It’s Hard)

Dogs thrive on structure — it’s how they feel safe. Feeding, walking, and rest times should be consistent, but structure isn’t just about the clock. It’s about boundaries and leadership.

We often see people want dogs to fit seamlessly into their lifestyle — and while many do, sometimes that expectation creates stress or conflict. The truth is: not every routine is what’s best for the dog.

For example, when I brought a third dog into my own home, one of my females became territorial and started attacking him. At the time, the dogs had free rein — they were allowed on the furniture, there weren’t clear boundaries around doors or personal space, and chaos followed. Once I reset the structure — no furniture privileges, calm exits and entries, more rules around personal space — everything shifted.

I wanted the dogs on the couch and in the bed. But what they needed was leadership and predictability.

Structure isn’t about control — it’s about creating safety.

“With our latest fosters, two puppies, it took a few days but they’ve adjusted nicely to our work-from-home life-style. And we’ve gotten down their schedule too. Potty breaks between Zoom meetings. Longer walks before and after work. Backyard playtime during brief work breaks. It works for all of us. Pups are happy and we’re sane thanks to the routine. ”

Train Gently, but with Intention

Training is about building a relationship, not just teaching commands. Yes, reinforce the basics — sit, down, off, leave it — but the real work happens in the daily rhythm between you and your foster.

If you have other dogs in the home, your foster might need one-on-one walks at first. Pack walks come later, once trust and leash skills are built. A distracted or reactive dog isn’t ready for group outings — and that’s okay. Progress comes from calm repetition, patience, and clarity.

Short, positive sessions — paired with strong structure — build confidence faster than marathon training days ever will.

Build Confidence Through Thoughtful Socialization

Socialization matters, but it has to be done thoughtfully and safely. Not every dog is ready for busy patios, playdates, or strangers walking up to pet them.

Some dogs thrive on attention right away. Others need slow exposure, quiet spaces, and distance before they feel comfortable. As a foster, your job is to advocate for the dog — to read their body language, to protect their space, and to never push them into something that feels unsafe.

At Real Good Rescue, we’ll help guide you through what’s appropriate at each stage based on your dog’s specific needs and temperament. Think of it as a partnership — you learn the dog, and we help you interpret what that dog needs next.

“We swear by puppy socialization time! Especially if you can find a group that is supervised by a trainer who can tell you what sort of behaviors to look for and how to correct them. Our fosters learn so much this way and it sets them up for success.”

Help Show Off Your Foster Dog (and Don’t Wait for Us to Do It)

This part is so important. One of the most effective ways to get a dog adopted is for you — the foster — to share their story.

Yes, Real Good Rescue posts every dog, but your reach matters. Even if you have 300 followers, that’s 300 new sets of eyes that might never see our posts.

Post your foster dog on your own social media, in local Facebook groups, or on the Nextdoor app. Bring them to dog-friendly spaces wearing an “Adopt Me” bandana. Tell your friends and coworkers.

When fosters and the rescue team work together to promote dogs, adoptions happen faster and connections happen organically. Every share counts.

Remember That Goodbyes Are Part of the Journey

Letting go never gets easy — and that’s how you know you’ve done it right. Every goodbye means you helped a dog find their home and made space for another one who’s waiting.

It’s okay to cry, it’s okay to miss them — but it’s also okay to be proud. You were their bridge from scared to safe.

Why Fostering Dogs Matters

Fostering saves lives, plain and simple. When you open your home to one dog, you’re saving two — the one you foster and the one who takes their place in the shelter.

You don’t need a big yard or years of experience. You just need empathy, patience, and a willingness to learn. Because fostering isn’t about perfection — it’s about showing up, even when it’s messy, and helping a dog remember what love feels like.

Foster Spotlight: Brad & Ashley

“Right now we’re working with our third foster pup, sweet Levi. We’ve completely fallen in love with his personality, features, and quirks. That’s the beautiful thing about fostering — knowing there are so many more sweet souls like Levi or Bam Bam who deserve the chance to love and be loved.

We’re grateful every single day to give these animals a home, food, companionship, and love. And we’re grateful to Real Good Rescue for always being so supportive, insightful, and caring through every step of the process.”

— Brad and Ashley