u/Hungry-Sundae1458

I am on foster #17. Well would've been. I've only done behavior and "normal" dogs. This dog would've been my first medical case. He was brought to the shelter presumably hit by a car. After taking him to the vet it was determined his injuries were from abuse. He had to be euthanised due to his quality of life.

It was so unexpected and has left me reeling. Angry, sad, heartbroken, confused. Just to name a few of the emotions I'm feeling. I had no idea that after dropping him off at the vet, I would never see him again.

Now I feel like I want to hit the brakes and take a foster break after mine are adopted. I have 3 other foster puppies right now (different litters and ages) that all have applications so I know they'll all be adopted soon. Before all of this happened the president of the rescue asked if when I had more free room if I could take over one of her adult dogs and I should follow through on that but I just feel so lost and broken right now.

I am sure nobody ever plans or expects to take on abuse cases. But this really hit me hard.

This poor puppy was presumed hit by a car and brought to the shelter. They asked for a transfer due to injuries, as they don't have a vet or X-ray machine. I offered to transport and then foster after my current foster is adopted this weekend.

The vet called and 3 of 4 legs are broken and he jaw as well. So they're opting to euthanize, which I totally agree with.

But I'm devastated. When I left him there I was expecting maybe an amputee tripod dog.

They said his breaks have started healing so he's been this way for a while. I just hate that for him and wished he would be ok

I posted before about my difficult foster here. He was adopted 2 weeks ago and the rescue allows 30 days for a return. We hadn't heard anything from them since the first night that it was going well, but today they messaged and said they were having problems with him. It was as I expected, they didn't allow full decompression or do slow introductions. The rescue offered solutions and potential training, but they haven't responded yet.

He was the hardest dog I've had to foster. He was very barrier reactive and in a home with 11 other dogs and kids that he couldn't be around, it was a stressful month of fostering him. I tried my best with him and did see improvements, albeit slow. I felt I did my best to inform the adopters and help set them up for success, but alas, here we are.

I still have 4 fosters now and 7 resident dogs and so I'm full and told the rescue I don't know how I'll take him back. The rescue only has 3 dog fosters, one of which is me so there is no other backup. If I don't take him in, he'll have to be euthanised, which we saved him from. And my heart feels so heavy to think of that possibility, but I don't know what to do. They offered to buy a kennel pen to put on my property and keep him in there, but my oldest kids birthday party is in 2 weeks and that would make that not possible, as it's a camping cookout in the backyard.

I feel like I'm in an impossible situation and feel so discouraged. I'm hopeful the adopters will keep trying but I doubt they will because he is a lot of dog to handle.

What do you do if a foster is returned but you don't have room to take them back in?

I feel sick even thinking about it, but for everyone's safety i feel it may be best. My foster has a meet and greet this weekend and if he doesn't get adopted, or does get returned, I don't feel safe bringing him back here.

I feel so much guilt because the behavior he is exhibiting is truly nothing aggressive or bad. I know why he's doing it, but my home is not the safe space where he can unlearn the behaviors.

He is young, a year old. Very mouthy, and jumpy, with low impulse control. He is dog social but has stressed or scared my dogs away so I've not been able to integrate him. He is too unpredictable to have him out with my youngest, but so far he's been ok with my older age 8.

This week I had him on a walk off leash on my property. He has lots of crate time since he can't be out with others, so I know he has pent up energy from this. He was sniffing and I kept walking along the trail, passing him. He ran up behind me and lunged at my calf and bit it. He has jumped and been mouthy on my arms and elbows before but it's never hurt me. This hurt bad and I was even wearing jeans. I said no and then he turned and tried to get my arm and was super jumpy. I grabbed a stick as I was honestly too scared to bend down to grab the toy. Luckily he took the stick and ran off. Once at the house I put him in the crate.

I let the rescue know that he did this and it barely scraped my skin but only because I had jeans on and that it did bruise. I know this was overstimulated behavior and low impulse control and not true aggression.

But after a month of having him and struggle bussing I'm at the end of my rope. My kids can't play outside when he's out. None of my dogs can trust or like him at all because he lunges and tries to bite them.

But this rescue is small and has no backups. I also feel like I would be failing him again by passing him off. But I don't know what to do! I know this behavior is trainable but it feels beyond my time and knowledge to help him. The rescue cannot afford to board and train. I know one person would have to take him, but doesn't have the room either. I just feel so sick because he's been such a sweet dog just needs a little work is all but I feel I've failed him. He was facing euthansia for kennel space and so obviously given up on twice by humans already. I don't want to fail him and want to see it through but I just don't trust him or feel safe with him anymore.

TLDR: I have a fairly challenging foster. It's nothing that training won't correct, but I don't have the ability to train him as well as he needs(because I have 4 other fosters and 7 RD) but he's come very far already in the short time I have worked with him. He is a very loveable and intelligent dog, but typical of his breed (lab) he's mouthy, jumpy, and excitable. He does know commands and does calm down after yard time though. he has a meet and greet on Saturday and I'm worried if they adopt he'll be returned. How can I truly set their expectations correctly and him up for success?

This dog was facing euthansia for kennel space at the shelter. I was under the impression he was dog friendly by volunteers, but unfortunately he isn't. I believe his reactivity is mainly barrier based/dog selective. He has been a difficult foster for me and my home probably isn't the best foster home for him, but the rescue is very small and 0 backups. I committed to him and I'm seeing it through.

I feel I was honest in his bio and also have made several videos of him saying he's energetic and excitable, but needs consistency and training to help him learn manners. Most of his behavior is very typical of his breed and has significantly improved. I believe it's worsened by being crated a lot, but it's the only way I can keep all of the other dogs safe. So I'm doing my best.

The adopters say they've been wanting a black lab and so I'm hopeful they understand his breed and expectations will reflect that. Because I don't want him bounced around and given up on again! He deserves a solid home and I know mine isn't the best for helping him be his best self either.

Any tips for ensuring a solid transition and maintaining expectations for adopters?