Bringing a foster dog like Misty into your home can be a rewarding, yet challenging experience. Misty is a high-energy, larger dog, and her playful, inquisitive nature has brought both joy and unique obstacles to my daily routine with Jackson. Here are some of the key challenges we’ve faced—and how we’re working through them.

1. Playtime Dilemmas

Jackson and I have a routine of playing ball several times a day. When Misty arrived, her high energy turned our ball game into her chase game, where she would zoom after Jackson instead of focusing on the ball. Jackson didn’t enjoy this dynamic and started stopping in his tracks as a way to halt Misty’s pursuit. I’ve had to intervene at times to protect him, as Misty isn’t aggressive but can overpower Jackson due to her size and mouthy play style.

How I’m working on it:

• At first, I had to find a game that Misty enjoyed playing with me instead of Jackson.
• It became clear she preferred chasing other dogs over playing fetch with me.
• To redirect her energy, I introduced her to tug-of-war, which she quickly grew to love.
• Now, Misty prefers playing tug with me, keeping her attention away from Jackson.
• During playtime, I balance activities by:
  • Engaging Misty in tug-of-war.
  • Lightly kicking or throwing the ball for Jackson.
  • Ensuring Jackson’s chase doesn’t look too enticing to Misty.
• This delicate balance has helped both dogs enjoy play sessions without conflict.

2. Resource Guarding

Resource guarding has surfaced around toys and bones. When Jackson gets near them, Misty has lunged to assert her “ownership.” While there’s no aggression like growling or teeth showing, this behavior is still concerning. As a foster dog, Misty’s need to guard what she views as hers is understandable.

How I’m addressing it:

• Jackson has been the best teacher in this situation. He doesn’t try to snatch anything away and remains calm even when Misty lunges at him.
• Instead of removing excess toys and bones, I decided to provide an abundance of resources, creating the impression of unlimited access for both dogs.
• Over several days, Misty has started to relax with this approach, showing less need to guard the toys and bones.
• However, I remain cautious, especially when introducing new items, as I’m not yet confident that the guarding behavior is fully resolved.

3. Leash Walking Challenges

Taking Misty and Jackson on walks together initially felt impossible. Misty bucked wildly in her harness, and her excitement led her to chase Jackson, disrupting our usual walking routine.

Steps Forward:

• Solo leash walking with Misty has been slow progress.
• I’ve observed that Misty gets overstimulated on walks, so I adjusted her training approach to treat her like a reactive dog.
• I began with short, focused training walks, gradually building her confidence and calmness on the leash.
• After five brief training sessions today, I was finally able to walk Misty and Jackson together—even if just for five minutes!

This marks significant progress, and I’m hopeful about continuing to strengthen their leash walking routine.

Moving Forward

These challenges are common for anyone bringing a new dog into their home—especially a foster dog adjusting to unfamiliar surroundings. With patience, training, and understanding, Misty is making great strides, and so are we! Each day brings new lessons and opportunities to strengthen the bond between Misty, Jackson, and me.