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Foster dog favorites
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items Getting a foster dog? Congratulations on embarking on this exciting journey! Here are some things to help you get started! The shelter or rescue will take care of the basics, but if you are like me you’re going to want to go above and beyond. Get som...
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The obvious essentials
Safety
Environment
Enrichment
Feeding
Shops
I love wondering through TJ maxx and they always have a great selection of dog toys, treats, and other items that your foster dog will love for great prices!
TJ Maxx Official Site
HomeGoods have a great pet selection as well! Next time, you’re looking around for new throw pillows…stop at the pet section. It’s pretty big and has a great selection.
HomeGoods
I can’t believe I never thought about looking at the pet section in Kohls. It is a pretty great selection! They always have sales, you can find coupons, and earn Kohls cash to use later when you are looking to restock!
Kohl's
The obvious essentials
Listen, she’s pricey! I was hesitant to splurge on it. But it is my favorite leash. It’s sturdy, easy to clean, and very versatile! The hands free is not for the pullers, but is great for leash training and higher traffic areas. And it’s easily conve...
4-in-1 Convertible Hands Free Cloud Dog Leash
I love cute and functional things. So, I of course upgraded to a cute poop bag dispenser because it makes me happier when I grab the leash! The scented bags are whatever. I used them up because they came with it, but just use any poop bags that you l...
VETRESKA Dog Poop Bag Dispenser
I absolutely hate being on a walk and carrying the poop bag until I come across a trash can. Of course you can find a cheaper plainer version of the same thing. But I love this one! You can also clip it your dogs harness if you don’t want to carry on...
Dog Poop Bag Holder
Do you need this one? No. There are plenty on the market that work great! But this one is cute and matches their leash. And I am a sucker for functional + cute.
Sunny Tails Snap Dog Treat Pouch
A portable water bowl is a must. I like this one because it’s a little more aesthetic, but any one will do! They have them every where including dollar tree!
CleverPup Nomad Silicone Dog Bowl
Martingale collar is my favorite collar style. Make sure that it’s fitted properly. Sometimes dogs pull and you don’t want to cause harm while they are learning to correct pulling.
Reflective Martingale Collar
Safety
A good harness can helpful for pullers on walks. They are essential to safely buckle in the car. They are also very handy in higher traffic situations if you need to keep your pup a little closer with the handle on top.
KONG® Safety Dog Harness
The front seat is not safe for a dog of any size. You can always car crate for safety. But a great alternative is a backseat cover with a mesh opening for ventilation. I recommend seat belting them with a harness as well. There are so many variation...
Car seat cover
I prefer this style seatbelt vs the one that clips into the buckle. It feels more secure to me. No one plans to get an accident, but it’s a possibility any time you get in a car. Hopefully, you’re wearing your seatbelt and your dog should be too!
Direct to Latch Swivel Tether Dog Car Seatbelt
Environment
Create a safe and cozy environment for your foster to decompress and rest. I like to think of their crate as their bedroom. They are free to roam and play, but also need a quiet space to retreat to and rest when needed.
Get an inexpensive blanket and get your scent on it. As your foster bonds with you…your scent will comfort them and they will seek it out. The blanket can help them settle in their crate and you can send it with them when they say hello to their fore...
Mainstays Cozy Fleece Throw Blanket
Make it cozy, control the dog hair, and make it aesthetic. I love my space and I love my fosters and I don't want to comprise the cute aesthetic in my house to make it pet friendly. These blankets are washable and waterproof and very soft. You and yo...
Waterproof Dog Blanket
I know you say this bed all over TikTok. I saw it for months before I finally bought it and the matching blanket. It was a good purchase. It’s so cushy the dogs love it and the cover is removable and can be washed. I highly recommend. I don’t have th...
Thick Shredded Foam Dog Bed with Cover
The shelter should provide you with a crate if you don’t have one! But I find that it's easiest to invest in the largest size crate if you plan on making fostering a regular part of your life. It accommodates dogs of any size. It is easy to clean and...
Foldable Metal Dog Crate
Fostering puppies is not for the faint of heart. While they are still being potty trained; you will need a safe space they can have a little freedom and play while allowing you to get some things done without having to keep your eyes on them 24/7. It...
Indoor Dog Playpen
Can be used in your home, but I prefer to use when I take when my foster dogs on little weekend trips. Travels easily and provides the same space that they love at home. I like to take my foster dogs along when they are feeling confident and ready fo...
Collapsible Dog Crate
Enrichment
Physical exercise is so important. But don’t forget to entertain and challenge that brain! The key to minimizing destructive behavior is avoid boredom. It will help you pup stay happy and save your shoes and furniture from chewing!
A great enrichment toy. It comes in different sizes to accommodate different size pups and you can stuff the top with kibble or treats of your choice. Watch your pup roll it around and fetch their tasty treats! A great way to wind them out before nap...
Everlasting Treat Bento Ball Dog Toy
Suction cups to stick it the window of the car or the side of the shower. Smother with some peanut butter to give your pup a good distraction in the car, a bath, or clipping their nails. Also, great to use if you are feeding fresh food like the farme...
Round Lick Pad
Fill with kibble, fruit, Greek yogurt, peanut butter, and some water and freeze. Comes in extremely handy when crate training to give your pup a yummy treat while you teach them their crate is a safe and happy space.
KONG
This one became a big hit! Can be used with treats or kibbles. They love rolling it around and chasing to earn their delicious reward. A good way to get them to engage in independent play.
Treat Dispensing Tough Dog Chew Toy
Moving this one straight up to the top of the list! I have a foster who needs a lot of physical and mental stimulation, loves to rolling balls, and is very food motivated and this has been a game changer! She loves it!
Dog Puzzle Toy Adjustable Treat Dispensing Ball
Before fostering, I never had a puppy! So, that’s been a learning curve. The key to success is enrichment and naps to give from puppy turning terror! These are great to redirect chewing and help wind down before it’s time to sleep!
Puppy Teething Ring
They all love this one! I like to incorporate this one before bedtime when we are winding down for the night. The inserts are expensive, so I am looking to getting a mold, so I can make my own inserts.
WOOF Pupsicle Treat-Dispensing Toy
I saw this and knew I had to try it. I love it! Great for training with leash walking and came in so handy trying a lure a foster afraid of going down the stairs back down. It’s so handy and it’s cute too!
SODAPUP Flower Lick Stick Dog Toy
I discovered this mat before I was fostering. I had the sweetest senior German Shepard and as she slowed, she still loved her snuffle mat. It is an easy and effective way for mental enrichement.
Snuffle Mat for Dogs
Feeding
The speed in which dogs can inhale their food is impressive! But for their safety and their health, it’s important to help them slow it down and taste their food! It will aid their digestion and make it a more enriching experience.
Perfect for puppies or smaller dogs who scarf their food. It has suction cups on the bottom for stability to at least stave off them flipping it right over. And a big bonus is that it's enrichment to engage your pups brain.
Slow Feeder Dog Bowl
This is the absolute goat for upset tummies and diarrhrea. I always keep some one hand!
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements FortiFlora
Toys
Sometimes it can be a trial and error to figure out what toys your dog likes the best, but here’s a good place to start!
I have never met a dog that doesn't LOVE this lil guy right here. And it comes in a variety of sizes for different sized pups! It's the perfect toy to welcome them into your home and send with them when they find their forever home!
Lamb Chop Plush
Tug of war is a great bonding tool. It’s also great mental enrichment while building confidence and having fun. This is a great rope toy, but definitely check your local pet store first! They always have great options!
Chewers Dog Toy
Not necessarily for the super chewers. Although, my friends Rottie is a super chewer and this been a toy that has survived! They love to fling it around in the air and it’s a fun one to play tug a war with! I’ve definitely gotten my moneys worth!
Octopus Dog Toy
I don’t know what it is about these little toys, but all the dogs love them. They are extremely durable and affordable.
Multipet Loofa Latex Dog Toy
These are amazing. No stuffing and once they can tear through two layers before they get to the giant ball squeaker inside. It will keep even the super chewers entertained for awhile!
3 in 1 dog toy for the aggressive chewers
This toy has gone triple platinum in my house. We love the cactus! My former foster was adopted by my friend and he’s been through at least 5 of these. He’s a super chewer, so this way less of a mess than the stuffed toys and last longer.
2-in-1 Interactive Plush Dog Toy
Treats
Always remember that kibble can double as training rewards and treats if there is any concern about weight! But if you are incorporating treats into enrichment or training…these are my favorites!
Pouches are a game changer for helping with leash walking. They are a high value treat and they can much easier than fumbling with leash and treats. I don’t know why I didn’t think of using them sooner!
Buddy Budder Peanut Butter Pouches
For your medium to large breeds. I love to use them to signal a winding down for bedtime. Great price and all the dogs love them!
Kirkland Signature Dental Chews
I love spending doing basic training with my fosters. It’s good mental enrichment and helps better prepare them for their furever homes. The dogs love them because they are tasty and I love them because they aren’t going to fatten them up!
Buddy Biscuits Low Cal Training Treats
Xylitol free of course! You can add it to a kong and freeze it or slather it onto a lick mat for enrichment.
My personal favorite use is slather it on the side of the bathtub to make bath time a much smoother experience. And it’s delicious for us hu...
Kirkland Signature Organic Peanut Butter
Cleaning
Accidents happens! Just be prepared to clean them up and keep it moving! After many puppies, my rugs are spot free and my house is free from lingering smells!
Let’s be honest. Accidents will happen. Be prepared. This is a great spot cleaner. I also use it to clean the crate and playpen between dogs. I’ve never used it for cats, but I’m sure it works great as well!
Nature's Miracle Advanced Stain & Odor Remover
It’s so important to keep your floor clean! I highly recommend investing in a carpet cleaner to deep clean your carpet and rugs once a month or so. This helps prevent pet smell build up and recurrent accidents especially when potty training! I love m...
Bissell Professional Pet Carpet Cleaner Shampoo
Dog hair is going to be a part of your life, but it doesn’t have to run your life! I can’t be bothered to keep up with a daily vacuum routine. This is well worth the investment. You can schedule it to run while everyone sleeps or run it when you leav...
Shark Matrix Clean Robot Vacuum - Pet Hair
I couldn’t believe how well this works. I keep one on hand upstairs, downstairs, and in the car. Just a quick and easy way to clean up hair on the couches and clothes. It’s a bonus that’s it more friendly than those sticky sheets!
ChomChom Roller Pet Hair remover
The vacuum isn’t enough to really gather all the pet hair that gets caught up in the carpet and area rugs. It drove me crazy that my area rug never really felt clean and then I found this guy. It really does pull up the hair that’s stuck without dama...
Uproot Cleaner Pro Pet Hair Remover
Grooming
I’ve yet to meet a dog that likes a bath. Reduce the stress of bath time for all parties involved! A soft and clean pup makes snuggles even better!
Post bath zoomies and snuggles are my absolute favorite! And this 2 in 1 for bath time elevates the experience for all! No wet doggie smells, just a very light fresh scent and extremely soft fur.
Nature’s miracle Oatmeal shampoo
I almost always find these at TJ maxx for a great price. This is my favorite brand. These will saves you in between baths with a quick wipe after the dog park and walks. People always ask if my foster dogs have gotten a bath after I use these. I keep...
Pet wipes
All the dogs I’ve encountered hate nails trims. So, I’m thankful for these making the task faster and safer for both of us.
2-in-1 Rechargeable Dog Nail Grinder & Clippers
Puppies
I was really nervous to foster puppies because of their energy and how much work they can be! But once you learn how to balance to structure and fun…it’s pretty smooth sailing!
My current foster puppy is poop eater! 😫 Like girl?! That’s nasty! I started spraying this on her poop and she wants nothing to do with it! It can be sprayed on furniture as well to deter undesired chewing!
Bitter chew spray