Free How-to PDFs and Guides for Dog Fosters and Rescues

The purpose of Goodest Pups is to provide free documentation for dog rescues, which are inevitably understaffed, overworked, and overwhelmed with providing day-to-day care of all of the dogs and puppies within the rescue, whether on-site or in foster.

Please find downloadable, shareable handouts that are free for fosters, rescues, and shelters to use to educate fosters and volunteers. These handouts are very summarized versions of content published in full throughout the Goodest Pups. They are designed to be digestible and easy for anyone to understand. They may also be adapted and customized by animal non-profits with attribution to the Goodest Pups.

Click/tap the title to download the PDF! If there’s a coordinating blog post that the PDF was adapted from, I have linked it. The blog post will be the information in long-form and include citations/references.

If you need minor changes and/or would like to have co-branded PDFs, please feel free to contact me and I’d be happy to help.

Rescue Puppies: How-tos and Guides for Fosters and Adopters

The following are downloadable PDFs for fostering or managing puppies over three weeks old. Some of these will be most useful for fosters or shelters, while some also work well for adopters!

TitleSummaryMatching Blog Post
Puppy Foster GuideA six-page guide on supplies, handling, care and development milestones for fosters caring for puppies aged 3 weeks to 12 weeks.
How-to Puppy Proof Your HomeOne-page guide to instructing fosters on how to puppy-proof their home before taking in foster(s).How to Prepare Your Home for a Foster Puppy
Setting Up the Puppy PenOne-page guide on how to set up a puppy pen for success.
Introducing Food + WaterOne-page guide on how and when to introduce food/water.
Introducing the Potty AreaTwo-page guide on building the foundation for potty training with proper setup.How to Start Potty Training a Litter of Puppies
Introducing GroomingOne-page guide on how to introduce elements of grooming.
Setting Up the Puppy Outdoor AreaOne-page guide on securing outdoor space and how to enrich outdoor spaces.
KinderPUPOur puppy socialization program, which includes enrichment, familiarization, desensitization and socialization that can be used by fosters + adopters.KinderPUP
Crate Training GuideThree-page guide on how to crate train a puppy or adult dogCrate Training Guide for Puppies + Dogs
Potty Training GuideThree-page guide on how to potty train a puppy or adult dogHow to Potty Train Your Puppy or Dog
Puppy Vaccination ScheduleOne-page cheat sheet on when to vaccinate puppies based on age.Puppy Vaccination Schedule for Rescues and Shelters
Puppy Dewormer ScheduleOne-page cheat sheet on when to deworm puppies based on age.Puppy Dewormer Schedule for Rescues and Shelters
Puppies + Children TipsThree-page guide on how to manage puppies with childrenTraining Puppies and Children to Build a Long-Lasting Bond
Obedience Cheat SheetsPictorial, step-by-step training cheat sheets for teaching a dog their name and how to sit, lay down, come, stay, release, and place.

Mom and Pups: How-tos and Guides for Fosters + Rescues

The following are applicable PDFs for fostering or managing a pregnant mama dog and then a mama dog with her newly-born pups.

TitleSummaryMatching Blog Post
Mom and Pups Foster GuideAn eight-page guide on supplies, handling, care and development milestones for fosters caring for mom and her pups.
Supply List for Fostering Pregnant DogA list of necessary and optional supplies that a foster should have when taking on a pregnant dog.Supplies You’ll Need to Foster a Pregnant Dog
How to Set Up a Whelping BoxA detailed guide on how to set up a whelping box for a pregnant dog – before, during and after giving birth!How to Set Up a Whelping Box
Stages of LaborAn overview of the three stages of labor, including subtle and more obvious signs of the start of labor and active labor.The Three Stages of Labor for Pregnant Dogs
Foster’s Role During Labor & DeliveryA guide to what foster’s should expect during labor and delivery and what they should do (if anything).The Three Stages of Labor for Pregnant Dogs
When to Be Concerned During Dog Labor and DeliveryA list of possible complications and problems that may arise during labor and delivery, both for mom as well as newly born pups. Includes solutions and when to go to the vet!When to Be Concerned During Dog Labor and Delivery
When to WeanA one-page guide (with references) on when to start weaning pups.
How-to Puppy Proof Your HomeOne-page guide to instructing fosters on how to puppy-proof their home before taking in foster(s).How to Prepare Your Home for a Foster Puppy
Setting Up the Puppy PenOne-page guide on how to set up a puppy pen for success.
Introducing Food + WaterOne-page guide on how and when to introduce food/water.
Introducing the Potty AreaTwo-page guide on building the foundation for potty training with proper setup.How to Start Potty Training a Litter of Puppies
Introducing GroomingOne-page guide on how to introduce elements of grooming.
Setting Up the Puppy Outdoor AreaOne-page guide on securing outdoor space and how to enrich outdoor spaces.
Crate Training GuideThree-page guide on how to crate train a puppy or adult dogCrate Training Guide for Puppies + Dogs
Potty Training GuideThree-page guide on how to potty train a puppy or adult dogHow to Potty Train Your Puppy or Dog
Puppies + Children TipsThree-page guide on how to manage puppies with childrenTraining Puppies and Children to Build a Long-Lasting Bond
Obedience Cheat SheetsPictorial, step-by-step training cheat sheets for teaching a dog their name and how to sit, lay down, come, stay, release, and place.
Puppy Vaccination ScheduleOne-page cheat sheet on when to vaccinate puppies based on age.Puppy Vaccination Schedule for Rescues and Shelters
Puppy Dewormer ScheduleOne-page cheat sheet on when to deworm puppies based on age.Puppy Dewormer Schedule for Rescues and Shelters

Bottle Baby Puppies: How-tos and Guides for Fosters + Rescues

Please find downloadable, shareable handouts that are free for fosters, rescues, and shelters to use to educate fosters and volunteers on how to care for, handle, and help newborn puppies!

TitleSummaryMatching Blog Post
Bottle Baby Foster GuideAn 11-page guide on supplies, handling, care and development milestones for fosters caring for newborn puppies (under 3 weeks). It’s the full walk-through while guides below are more like handouts.The Neonatal Stage: Caring for Newborn Puppies
Newborn Puppy MilestonesOne-page cheat sheet on neonate development and milestones.The Neonatal Stage: Caring for Newborn Puppies
Bottle Feeding SuppliesOne-page cheat sheet on what you need to bottle feed a puppy.How to Bottle Feed a Newborn Puppy
How to Bottle Feed Newborn PuppiesTwo-page guide on how to properly feed newborn puppies.How to Bottle Feed a Newborn Puppy
Bottle Baby Feeding ChartApproximate amount to feed to a newborn puppy based on their weight (in grams and ounces).How to Bottle Feed a Newborn Puppy
Bottle Baby Feeding ScheduleOne-page guide on how often to feed newborn puppies based on age and healthiness.How to Bottle Feed a Newborn Puppy
Bottle Babies: Common IssuesOne-page cheat sheet on troubleshooting common issues bottle feeders have with their newborns.Bottle Baby Puppies: Common Issues + Solutions
Bottle Babies: When to be ConcernedFive signs to look out for along with initial solutions and when to escalate.Newborn Puppies: When to be Concerned
Puppy Vaccination ScheduleOne-page cheat sheet on when to vaccinate puppies based on age.Puppy Vaccination Schedule for Rescues and Shelters
Puppy Dewormer ScheduleOne-page cheat sheet on when to deworm puppies based on age.Puppy Dewormer Schedule for Rescues and Shelters

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Christine Mielke and Puppy Dog

About Christine

Christine has fostered over 150 puppies since 2022, including bottle babies, cleft palate puppies and sick/dying puppies. She has also fostered two pregnant dogs and one mom and pups. She has volunteered over 3,000 hours of her time to local rescues to assist with intakes, deworming/vaccinations, bottle feeding, events, documentation, website management, social media, and transportation.