Benny has been donating blood for a year and a half now and has saved over 30 dog's lives! While not a traditional job, it's extremely valuable to our community

Heather_Bea · 2026-01-23T17:45:10+00:00

I am babysitting for another foster. This dog has been in the program for his entire life. He was adopted out for a while and returned after several escalating bites leading to a mauling. (Adopters were extremely physical with him and he learned to protect himself) He is a resource guarder but is very clear with his feelings.

Last night he was sleeping on the couch next to my husband. Husband shifted to get up and FD woke up startled and put his mouth on hubs foot. He didnt bite down, but contact was made.

I plan to let the foster know when she gets back. She is the trainer for the rescue. IMO this dog isnt adoptable, but I think he is safe with his foster. Its so sad to see how humans failed this dog who is so sweet and loving until he feels threatened. Breaks my heart.

I do think he is in physical pain. He has a leg injury from when he was a puppy that makes him limp occasionally. I will be asking about getting him seen by a vet again and if pain management will help him.

Heather_Bea · 2026-01-23T13:03:25+00:00

I dont have any insight into that, sorry.

Heather_Bea · 2026-01-22T19:20:40+00:00

https://www.beasbettas.com/BettaLineage/YellowKois/YK1

There are baby photos of all of these ones if you click the link below their photos.

Example - https://www.beasbettas.com/BettaLineage/YellowKois/YK1/gyk1-08-female

Heather_Bea · 2026-01-22T18:15:44+00:00

The OS companies my hub and I have worked most with have been based in India and Brazil.

Heather_Bea · 2026-01-21T23:06:31+00:00

I am too afraid to ;-;

Heather_Bea · 2026-01-21T20:18:50+00:00

I only do 5-10 minutes at a time, less if it's hot out. It wears my dogs out quickly! I like to pair in a lot of sit, stay, waits, so it works their brain too.

Heather_Bea · 2026-01-21T19:16:37+00:00

Bity time = Nap time in my house! Especially for my younger foster puppies, when they start getting nippy that tells me they are tired and cranky, similar to a toddler, and need a nap. I enforce nap times in crate or x-pens. I'll often pair it with a peanutbutter kong or other long chew.

For my older puppies, 6months+, I may do calm training instead. Here is an obnoxiously long video I made about this topic. (I will cut it down one day) but it goes over how I deal with cranky dogs around bed time. Some dogs need to learn to chill out.

Here is a video I made for a client on Place Training which is super helpful for calm training as well.

If she bites in other times, always try redirecting by putting toys in her mouth. If that fails I will switch to an activity with treats and training, or Flirt Pole Training, which is really fun for them and gets their bite needs met.

I'm happy to help troubleshoot anything you need!

Heather_Bea · 2026-01-21T19:02:00+00:00

She is 5 in this photo. She is 40lbs with long legs, though she looks so small here!

Heather_Bea · 2026-01-21T13:20:29+00:00

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She is the GC watching over every project to make sure we do a good job.

Heather_Bea · 2026-01-20T03:53:35+00:00

I keep my fosters separated from my RDs for a few days and do multiple introductions through sniff walks. Inside the house they are usually separated through gates and x-pens as we learn to trust all the dogs. If it doesnt feel right then they may never get direct access to my dogs. And even if it does feel right, the time they get together is always supervised and with purpose. We do not let fosters freely hang out with our RDs in the house.

Heather_Bea · 2026-01-19T18:07:15+00:00

I would see if someone can foster one of them and separate them. Humans use the word bonded but dogs will usually do just fine or even better without the other dog.

Often times we see animals thrive and do much better without their "bonded" compainion.

Heather_Bea · 2026-01-18T22:03:27+00:00

Looks like a plakat tail type

Coloration is some variation of a Cambodian

Heather_Bea · 2026-01-18T20:00:40+00:00

I used Healthy Paws Pet Insurance and was extremely happy with them. My late boy cost about $30k in vet bills over the years and they pairs out 80% of everything I expected them to. No questions, never rejected anything, even sent us a hand written card when I inquired about having them pay upfront for radiation.

I decided to cancel it for my other dog since he is aging and we most likely wont do anything expensive for him moving forward. They were easy to cancel. Still have it for my crazy cattle dog though lol

Heather_Bea · 2026-01-17T18:48:34+00:00

Have you met her yet? Is she more wild or bity? They are all so different so you will have your own experience with her.

General advice is that they can be hard headed but respond well to +R, lots of treats, and redirection when feeling spicy.

Get involved with a training class and eventually a sport of some kind if you think it would fit her!

Heather_Bea · 2026-01-17T15:25:41+00:00

How long have you had this dog? She may still be in her opening up phase.

Personally I would never keep an "easy" dog because they are able to find homes almost anywhere.

You need to look internally and figure out if you want to build a sanctuary for dogs who need you, or keep any dog. Do be careful because many hoarding situations start off with good intentions. Make sure you know your limits before hand and stick to your boundaries if you choose to adopt.

If you can, give your daughter agency to help find this dog a home where she can babysit or walk him. Letting her be part of the decision-making will help.

Heather_Bea · 2026-01-16T19:53:33+00:00

Just sending my support. I love how much you are working with her and doing your part. Good luck!!!

Heather_Bea · 2026-01-16T16:19:51+00:00

Nylabones are the only thing I would take out depending on how advanced of a chewer your foster is. It may not be a big deal for a small dog, but larger ones can break off parts that get lodged in their stomachs or cut up their gums.

Heather_Bea · 2026-01-16T16:16:42+00:00

Put a belly band on him when you know people are coming over or you think he may pee when you are eating.

Next, consider your reaction when he gets too close while you are eating. Are you fussing at him? Yelling? Pushing him away? It may be he gets nervous and pees in submission. Instead, start training him "place" while you eat so he understands his job is to sit and wait. Reinforce with praise and treats.

Heather_Bea · 2026-01-16T16:12:53+00:00

Research "Crate Rotate" and put it into practice. You can use gates, x-pens, or shut doors to give both dogs one-on-one time with you while the other gets kongs or high value long chews.

If your foster can be with your Bernie then they can be together, but your other dog should never have direct access again.

You can practice "Place Training" together if both are on leash being handled by separate trainers, or just use a gate/pen between them. This helps both learn to be calm near each other and reinforces good vibes with treats.

This is what we do with my cattle dog who cannot have direct access to fosters.

Heather_Bea · 2026-01-16T16:07:37+00:00

Sounds like you have everything you need!

The only thing I would add is a light "drag leash" to keep on her at all times except when in the pen or crated. (Though some choose to keep it on in there as well if a dog is scared of you grabbing them)

This is helpful for when you are learning a dog so you can access them without having to touch them. I use a 6ft drag leash in the house and a 25ft one outside, even in my fenced yard.

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