new foster - advice, please

ali-1411

I was here a couple weeks ago about getting a new foster.  Thanks for the tips then, if you don't mind I have some more questions

She's an 8 month old pittie, maybe mixed.  She's been in a shelter since December.  She's had kennel cough for weeks, she's not completely over it but the vet tech and I decided she was as good as she was going to get, being in the shelter.  

We brought her home yesterday and the introduction to our 3 yr old mutt went awesome.  She's very sweet, somewhat timid and craving attention.  She's following us all from room to room and won't even go outside alone.  

So, my two issues.

First - she's throwing up.  A lot.  This is probably from us overfeeding her yesterday, we kept throwing treats at her to make this a positive experience.  Too much excitement?  Or should I be concerned its the kennel cough?  She's not coughing at all but her bark sounds hoarse.  She's eating grass like crazy outside and then throws it up.  Should I not feed her today, or at least wait till later?

Second - she barked all night in her crate last night.  DH and I are exhausted.  We had her in our room, we took her outside several times but she just wasn't a happy pup.  I'm a strong believer in crate training and I know it takes work, I'm not surprised at all by how she was last night.  But any advice to make tonight go better?  I brought the crate back to the kitchen for the day, she's sleeping now.  (but now my kid is up, I can't sleep.  :) 

tia

SparrowGreen

For the crate - you can try covering it.  That helps some dogs.  Also be sure she's getting plenty of exercise, and you might try crating her with a frozen kong or other safe toy that might keep her busy and help wear her out a little more.  A tired dog is a quiet dog   Otherwise, just make sure you don't give her any attention to reinforce the barking.  I know it's rough, but sometimes you just have to ignore it until they give up. 

As for the throwing up, I would keep her from eating grass and withhold food for awhile today to see how she does.  I'm not sure if kennel cough causes vomiting, but I'd probably at least give the vet a call to check into it.  

 

cs026a

When our pup had kennel cough (from a trip to the emergency vet for a seizure - ugh), she had vomiting and diarrhea with it as well. She also coughed up green phlem all the time. I actually took two days off of work because I couldn't stand the thought of her being left in a kennel, for even a few hours, like that. I felt like all I did was run around and clean up messes!

The vomiting, in your case, could be from the treats, the stress, or another illness picked up while in the kennel.

If it were me, I'd call the vet. Vet trips are covered when your fostering with most rescues, so it wouldn't hurt. 

cs026a

Also, they'll prob put her on a chicken and rice diet of some kind if she continues to throw up. You could try that - small amounts. But I'd call a resource at the agency your fostering with, or the vet to get their opinion.