Earning the Trust of Your Outdoor Senior Foster Dog

In a prior article on fostering seniors (retired hunting dogs, street dogs, etc.), the focus was an overall approach to giving them the specific care they need. This article will focus on building trust in your foster. One of the most important steps in working with dogs who have exclusively lived outdoors is to gain their trust. Fostering a dog can be a rewarding experience, but it requires patience, understanding, and a gradual approach to establish trust.

When fostering a dog indoors, there are a few things to consider that the outside dog has likely never encountered, including radios, TVs, doorbells, children, cats, other pets, and other household noises. These should be introduced gradually and one at a time to not overwhelm the dog.

Initial Assessment and Preparation

Before bringing the dog home, assess their physical and emotional state. This is particularly important for senior dogs who could be experiencing multifactorial health concerns. This helps you understand their needs and potential challenges.

Prepare a comfortable and safe environment in a quiet area. This space should include a soft bed, food and water bowls, and toys. Ensure the area is escape-proof and provides a sense of security for the dog. Generally, having an exercise pen or a large crate is ideal to give them a home base and a safe space.

Introduction to the New Environment

Bring the dog home during a quiet time, minimizing stressors like loud noises or excessive activity. Allow them time to decompress and adjust to their new home and surroundings. Minimize their ability to roam the entire home. Ideally, they should be confined to one room with a defined safe space in that area (crate, exercise pen, etc). Try not to invade their safe space as that will break the trust you are trying to build. Be sure not to force interactions, especially if other pets and children are in the home. Allow the dog to explore their space at their own pace with minimal distraction.

When fostering an outdoor dog, having a fenced yard where your dog can roam on their own is critical. Many senior foster dogs are very afraid, so it can be helpful to invest in a 50-foot-long lead. When taking the dog out into the fenced yard, ensure this long lead is on so that you can get a hold of the lead, should the dog continually run from you out of fear. This will keep you at a distance from them, yet enable you to have the ability to lead them in slowly and shorten the distance to them over time.

Observation and Mutual Understanding

Take the time to observe the dog's behavior each day without imposing yourself. Let the dog decide to approach you versus you invading their space. This can help you understand their comfort level and triggers.

Whenever feasible, sit rather than stand, as standing can seem threatening and frightening to them. Note their body language, vocalizations, posture, activity, facial expressions, and reactions to various stimuli.

Building Trust Through Routine

Many dogs that have lived outside thrive on predictability because they are typically tied on short leads and learn the day-to-day routine. Create a consistent routine for feeding, potty breaks, and quiet time. This will help the dog feel more secure and comfortable.

Use gentle and positive reinforcement. Reward-based training techniques can help build trust and create positive associations. Offer high-value treats (like chicken, cheese, etc.) when the dog displays desired behaviors, such as calmly approaching you or making eye contact.

Treats may not work with highly overstimulated or fearful dogs. In that instance, quiet calm praise can reinforce trust-building moments. Even simply being in a room with them and allowing them to approach in their own time can build trust.

Respect Boundaries and Provide Choice

Respect the dog's boundaries and signals. If they show signs of fear, apprehension, or discomfort, allow them the space and time to acclimate and move away.

Avoid forcing direct eye contact, leaning over the dog, or reaching for them until they become more comfortable. Let the dog initiate physical and eye contact and approach you at their own pace.

Offer choices whenever possible, such as different resting spots, hiding areas, or types of toys. This empowers the dog and fosters trust.

Gradual Socialization

Introduce the dog to new people, animals, and environments gradually and under controlled circumstances. Allow them the room to leave a situation that scares them and ensure you know your pets before introducing them. 

Monitor their reactions closely and intervene if they show signs of stress or fear. Slowly expand their social circle as they become more comfortable. Understand that this will take time and patience.

Physical and Emotional Care

Attend to the dog's physical needs with regular grooming (as allowed by the dog), veterinary care, and nutritious meals. This demonstrates your commitment to their well-being.

Provide mental stimulation. Outdoor dogs may lack exposure to various sights, sounds, and experiences they weren’t accustomed to outdoors. Introduce new stimuli gradually, using treats and gentle praise to create positive associations.

Patience and Consistency

It can take months to build trust, especially for a senior dog with limited exposure to indoor living or family life. Be patient and consistent, as building trust in an outdoor senior dog can take weeks or months. Remain patient, consistent, and understanding throughout the process. Always provide your senior foster dog with a reassuring demeanor and calmness.

Remember that it will take time—especially for senior dogs who have lived in these environments for many year—to come out of that secluded life to live in a home with so many new things, surfaces, sounds, people, pets, and the busyness of life. They have likely been used to being tied out on a short chain, provided food at specific times, minimal interactions, and no in-home experience.

Celebrate Progress and Milestones

Acknowledge and celebrate small victories, such as the dog seeking attention or exploring new areas of the home. Keep a record of their progress to appreciate how far they've come. Each milestone is a step in the right direction.

As with any major life change, know that there can be setbacks or something unexpected that triggers stress in your foster dog. Consider it a reset and know that these setbacks can happen, but progress is still being made.

Seek Support When Needed

Don't hesitate to seek guidance from experienced foster mentors, trainers, or veterinarians if you encounter challenges or need advice. The agency you are fostering with is a great resource for trainers and other foster parents that are skilled in this area. Consider joining online communities or local support groups for foster caregivers to share experiences and resources.

Seek professional help if needed. If the dog exhibits severe fear, aggression, or anxiety, consider enlisting the help of a professional dog trainer or behaviorist who specializes in working with dogs with challenging backgrounds.

You can help a senior outdoor dog transition to indoor life while building a trusting and fulfilling relationship through this in-depth process utilizing sensitivity, patience, and compassion.

Remember, every dog is an individual, and the process may vary. You can help a senior dog feel safe, loved, and eventually develop a strong bond with you; with time, patience, and a gentle approach.

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About the Author

Lee Ann Hagerty is Director of Customer Enrichment and Consumer Insights on the BSM Product Innovation team with 29+ years in the pet food industry, working for Iams/Eukanuba, Procter & Gamble, and Mars Pet Care. She brings a unique combination of project management skills with consumer insights, product design, animal nutrition, and sensory science which drives an in-depth understanding of the pet and consumer. Lee Ann has a passion for helping dogs. Over the last year and a half, she has fostered over 22 dogs. Many of them were senior dogs who had lived their entire lives outside as hunting dogs. She has been a foster pet parent for many years, and it brings her great joy to see these pets find fur-ever homes where they live with families indoors with love and care.