Friends Share Dog Fostering Journey on YouTube and How They're Helping This Pup to Open Up
So many would-be pets are sitting in shelters right now, waiting for the right family to adopt them and give them a loving home for life. Your new favorite fur baby could be just down the street, and you wouldn't know it!
That's why Eric and Joey started their YouTube channel, sharing adorable and lovable foster dogs with folks in their neighborhood and around the world.
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"We noticed that animal shelters were not getting the love and attention they deserve in this day and age on social media," the channel's description states. "So many of us love dogs and cannot stand to see them live their lives without the love they deserve. All it takes is one person to see a dog online to change its life forever."
Right now, they're fostering a sweet Beagle named Tom. He's so stinking cute, but he barely had any human interaction at all before coming to the shelter, and it's been a real struggle to get Tom to open up.
Thankfully, a couple of weeks into the process, Tom is doing brilliantly!
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RRgsiM4bYG4
"He's acting like a normal dog right now," Eric says as we watch Tom tearing up the corner of a hallway rug. It's a huge improvement from the early days when Tom would barely come out from under his comfort blanket.
As we watch the day's episode, we see Tom head out for a leash walk in an adorable new jacket, because it's still a bit cold in the Chicago area where Eric and Joey film.
"The one thing we're still waiting for Tom to do is to wag his tail," Eric says, although we learn that Tom has become quite fond of Eric, whining for him to return home when he has to leave the house.
Tom is really starting to open up! It just takes days of patience, love and kindness, but we and the commenters are sure Tom will be wagging that tail in no time.
"I love how you redirected him to chew on his toys and his bone instead of reprimanding him for chewing on the area rugs," one commenter notes. "Great job! He's like a different dog thanks to you."
"Boy, if you go back and see how Tom was, it is an amazing transformation," another says. "He's going to wag that tail, and very soon. You guys are doing such a great job with Tom. Ty for helping him."
Related: Foster Dog Dad's Cute Way of Winning Over Pup Who ‘Hates Men' Is the Best
How to Best Help a Shy Foster Dog
If you're interested in fostering a shelter dog until the pup can find their forever home, there are a few important things to keep in mind.
Dog trainers use the "3-3-3 rule" to measure expected progress. This means it takes the average dog about three days to decompress and get used to their new environment, three weeks to learn a new routine, and about three months to feel at home in the new space.
To help make this transition easier for a foster or adopted dog, it's advised to create a "safe zone" where things will remain relatively quiet and chill for the new dog, free of screaming children, hectic household chores or other pets in the home.
It's also important that you allow the dog to make the first contact and lead the way by cuddling up to household members. Rather than head straight for a petting session, let the dog come to you or other folks in your home; that way, it is in control of the situation, and you can be sure the dog is just as interested in getting to know you as you are in getting to know them.
Tom was given plenty of space to feel comfortable on his own terms, and now he looks forward to Eric's return home whenever they're apart. It's such a heartwarming journey to watch unfold, and many folks in the comments are hoping Eric will adopt Tom. Either way, Eric has done Tom a world of good, and we're staying tuned!
Related: Rescue Dog Braves Climbing Stairs He's Afraid of To Get to Foster Puppies
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This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 5:05 PM.