My First Foster Dog Was a Great Pyrenees — Here’s What I Learned
- 21 hours ago
- 5 min read
When I decided to foster for the first time, I knew it would be a learning experience. I just didn’t know exactly how much I would learn in three weeks.
Our first foster was a purebred Great Pyrenees, and he came to us right after being fixed at the vet. We picked him up, brought him home, introduced him to our two dogs, and honestly, the first meeting went really well. I was nervous because bringing a new dog into the house always comes with some unknowns, but he had such a sweet, gentle nature from the beginning.
That being said, it was not perfect right away.
We were told he was housebroken, but the first two days were a little rough. He had quite a few accidents inside, and I started wondering if we were in for a much bigger challenge than expected. Then we tried something simple: we put his poop out in the yard so he could smell where he was supposed to go. After that, the problem was basically fixed.
It was one of those moments where I realized fostering is not always about having all the answers. Sometimes it is just about paying attention, trying something, and adjusting as you go.
The First Few Foster Days
Because he had just been fixed, he came home with a cone and needed time to recover. The vet gave us a snap-on cone, but he managed to rip that off pretty quickly. We also tried a donut-style collar, but I would not recommend that for a large dog with a long snout. He could still reach what he needed to reach, so it did not really do the job.
The best option ended up being a soft cone with Velcro. It stayed on better and worked much better for him during recovery.
He was also crate trained, which helped a lot. Having a crate as a safe place made the transition easier, especially while he was healing and getting used to a new environment.
Learning His Personality
One thing I did not expect was how long it took to really see his personality come out.
For the first couple of weeks, he was sweet and calm, but still a little reserved. Around the same time his cone came off, about two weeks in, we started seeing more of who he really was.
He wanted to be close all the time. He had such a gentle, affectionate personality and liked being near people. He was also submissive with our two dogs, which helped the household dynamic. He was not trying to take over or cause problems. He seemed happy to learn the routine and follow along.
We were even able to teach him “sit” while he was with us. I think it helped that we already had dogs who knew commands. Dogs really do learn from watching each other, and having another dog model the behavior made it easier for him to pick up.
What We Learned About Great Pyrenees
This foster made me really appreciate the Great Pyrenees breed.
He was sweet, loyal, gentle, and naturally wanted to be close. He was a good walker from the beginning, which made daily walk
s enjoyable instead of stressful. But we also learned that Great Pyrenees can be curious escape artists.
As his personality came out, we realized he liked to dig and would try to get under the fence. He was not trying to run away exactly, but he was definitely curious. That was a good reminder that even calm dogs still need supervision, especially in a fenced yard.
Products That Helped
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. These are a few products that made our first foster experience easier and worked well for us.
One of our favorite finds was the Portland Pet Food Company Pumpkin Dog Treats. We used these as both everyday treats and training rewards while teaching basic commands like "sit." They are grain-free, made with simple ingredients, and worked well for a large dog who was still settling into a new environment. If you're looking for a healthy training treat option, these are definitely worth considering.
After surgery, the recovery cone became one of the most important items we used. The snap-on cone provided by the vet did not last long before our foster figured out how to remove it. We also tried a donut-style recovery collar, but because he had such a long snout, he could still reach the surgical area.
The Supet Soft Recovery Cone with Velcro ended up being the best solution. It stayed securely in place, was more comfortable than a traditional hard plastic cone, and helped prevent licking while he healed.
As our foster became more comfortable and his personality started to shine, we discovered he absolutely loved toys. Tennis balls were a hit, but his favorites were small squeaky toys. Having a variety of toys available helped keep him entertained and gave us another way to bond with him during his stay.
Every dog is different, but these products made a noticeable difference during our three weeks together and are items I would happily use again with future fosters.
What Fostering Taught Me
The biggest thing I learned from this first foster experience is that dogs need time. It took about two weeks for him to fully settle in and show us his personality. That is important to remember because the dog you meet on day one might not be the same dog you know by week three. They are adjusting, healing, learning your home, learning your dogs, and figuring out if they are safe.
Fostering also taught me that you do not have to do everything perfectly. There were accidents. There were cone issues. There were moments where we had to problem-solve. But overall, it was such a good experience.
He was only with us for about three weeks, but he left a big impression.
Our first foster was sweet, gentle, a little sneaky with the fence, very lovable, and such a great introduction to fostering. I am grateful we got to be part of his story, even for a short time.
Considering Fostering?
Fostering can feel intimidating at first, but it is also one of the most rewarding things we have done. You do not need to know everything before you start. You just need to be willing to give a dog love, structure, patience, and a safe place to be.
If you are thinking about fostering and have questions, need advice, or just want to talk through what it actually looks like day to day, please reach out. I would love to help however I can.
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