"LEAVE THEM ALONE! The Best Way To Gain Trust Is To Let A Dog Go At Their Own Speed" And Other Tips For Fostering Dogs That Will Make You Want To Foster Every Single Pup You Meet

Yahoo

22-06-2025

Isabel Klee, based in Brooklyn, NY, has been fostering dogs for years. She's fostered 23 dogs full-time and creates content that chronicles their progress and candidly shares their challenges and fears. And recently, her 23rd foster, a sweet, struggling dog named Tiki, caught the attention of millions of viewers online.
For those of you who weren't following along, when Tiki first found himself in Isabel's care, he was disaffected and fearful of so much, from accepting belly rubs to being held, and nearly everything in between.
As Isabel had done with her other fosters before, she vlogged about her and Tiki's experience with daily updates on their journey. And, in doing so, Isabel allowed people to follow along and root for Tiki as he braved the outdoors, discovered the joy of zoomies, and blossomed into the silly and goofy pup his fans have come to know and love.
If you want to read more about Tiki's journey, BuzzFeed reported on Isabel and Tiki here!
Tiki's story was and continues to be inspiring, but it's not unique.
According to the ASPCA, in 2024, approximately 5.8 million dogs and cats are estimated to have entered shelters. There are so many other little Tikis out there in need of supportive foster care and loving forever homes. So I spoke with Isabel to hear her thoughts and advice for anyone who is thinking of volunteering as a foster parent to a dog.
So, without further ado, here are nine of Isabel's tips, tricks, insights, and pieces of advice on fostering dogs:
1."The best way to gain [a dog's] trust is to let them go at their own speed."
I asked Isabel if she had any specific advice for fostering dogs that are disaffected or shut down, and she shared, "LEAVE THEM ALONE! The best way to gain trust is to let a dog go at their own speed. Don't push them, pressure them, or cross their boundaries. They need to feel like they're calling the shots, and most dogs will let you know when they're ready to progress. Tiki approached me for his first pets, and it took 13 days for me to touch him for the first time."
2.If you're worried about the potential money stresses of taking care of a pet, even temporarily, just know that fostering a dog is probably not as financially demanding as it might seem.
Isabel told me that she has been fostering since she was 25, "because [she] loved dogs but didn't have enough money to get [one] of her own."
She said that even though each organization is different, "Fostering is great because, with most rescues, you don't have to pay for anything. They will cover food, vet care, toys, basically any supplies you might need. I quickly fell in love with the process and have continued fostering even after adopting my dog Simon!"
3.The three most important traits for being a successful foster parent to a dog are patience, a sense of humor, and empathy.
In Isabel's words, "It's so important to go into [fostering] knowing your rugs will probably get pooped on, your foster will probably break something, etc. but having patience and empathy for what the dog is going through is key."
4.You don't need to do a ton to prepare, but Isabel recommends designating an area for a crate.
"Honestly, I didn't do any preparation, even though I probably should have. I jumped in with zero experience and just figured it out as I went," Isabel told me.
She went on, "If I were to start now, I would have a designated area for a crate where the dog can be home and feel safe, and I would make sure to stick to a strict routine."
5."Fostering fits into most lifestyles."
It's a common misconception that volunteering to foster a dog means that the foster parent needs to work from home or that they can't travel while they're in their care. But that's not true.
Isabel said, "I always tell people, being home alone in a quiet apartment is so much better for a dog than being in a loud, stressful shelter where they're only getting maybe 2-3 short walks a day. Even if you go into the office, the dog will be totally fine snoozing the day away! Also, travel is super easy to accommodate for - you can just request a temporary foster who will watch your foster dog while you're out of town. Fostering fits into most lifestyles!"
6.Similarly, there is no one set length of time you need to allocate in order to foster a dog.
I asked Isabel how long a dog usually stays in her care, and she said, "It really depends. I've had some dogs for four days and some dogs for two months. Most dogs that I have [had] for longer have medical or behavioral issues that need to be sorted before being adopted, but if a dog is all ready to go, they can be adopted very quickly!"
Many people believe that you are on the hook to foster a dog until they get adopted, but most organizations are flexible and have fostering opportunities that can be as short as a weekend or just two weeks.
7.You shouldn't feel any pressure to adopt your foster dog.
When I asked Isabel about the unexpected challenges she's faced since getting into fostering dogs, she shared that strangers have pressured her to adopt her foster dogs. But that she knows "the power of fostering and how important the work [she does] is." She also shared that people often say to her that "they could never foster because they 'love dogs too much' and would get too attached." In both instances, she's gotten good at tuning out these types of comments.
8.Fostering dogs is such a beautiful way to give back, but it's also just so much fun.
Isabel told me, "People always look at fostering as this incredible, selfless thing, and it can be! But it's also just so joyful and fun. I can't tell you how many nights I've spent laughing as my foster dog learns to play fetch for the first time or does something silly."
9.You might want to start fostering ASAP.
When I asked if she could go back and tell herself one piece of advice before her first foster, Isabel shared, "I wish I had started fostering sooner! It's such a huge part of my life and so rewarding, and I can't wait to meet all the dogs I have yet to save."
There you have it, nine insights from Isabel for those of you considering fostering a dog! And if you want to learn more, Isabel has a book coming out this fall titled, Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I've Cried About. You can also follow her on Instagram and TikTok, where you can learn more about her journey fostering dogs.
And if you are interested in getting into volunteering, check out your local animal rescue or shelter. If you're based in New York, Muddy Paws Rescue is where Tiki was located before being fostered and ultimately adopted.