How to Be a Better Foster: Decompression, Structure, and Training Tips

In this episode of Think Like a Dog, Andreia and Millie talk about what it really means to be a great foster for a rescue dog. While fostering often starts with love and good intentions, this conversation explains why love alone is not enough to prepare a dog for a successful forever home.

They break down the importance of decompression, structure, crate training, leash manners, place work, boundaries, and learning the dog’s personality. Andreia and Millie also explain why the first few days in a foster home matter so much, how too much freedom or affection can overwhelm a dog, and why fosters should focus on helping the dog become more adaptable instead of simply fitting the dog into their own lifestyle.

This episode also covers multi-pet homes, safe introductions, meet and greets, transparency with adopters, and the hard truth that fostering means preparing the dog for their future home, not your personal preferences. Whether you are a first-time foster, experienced rescue volunteer, shelter volunteer, adopter, or someone considering fostering, this episode gives practical guidance on how to help rescue dogs succeed long-term.