Rule 3-3-3 | Stages of a rescue dog

The 3-3-3 Rule explains what you need to know about adjustment periods for the first three days, three weeks, and three months after Adopt a rescue dog. Understanding what to expect and how to help your rescue dog adjust will lead to a smoother transition and a happier home.

Adopting a dog is a wonderful yet challenging experience. When we change jobs or schools, new experiences can be exciting and scary at the same time. A rescue dog also needs time to adjust to and understand a new life.

You need to understand what he’s going through and try to help him adjust. In general, puppies adapt more easily than adult dogs because they are mostly empty to learn new things and be exposed to new environments. Older and shyer dogs usually adjust more slowly. Every dog ​​is an individual and, depending on their background, it can take longer than expected to adjust to a new life. Let him progress at his own pace. Let’s look at what you should know before adopting a rescue dog, what adjustment issues will look like, and what you should do to ease the transition.

Stages of a Rescue Dog: The First Three Days

Your new canine companion needs some time to decompress. He may feel uncertain about what is expected of him and get stressed. He can:

• Feeling overwhelmed
• Fear and uncertainty about what is happening
• Not comfortable enough to “be yourself”
• Don’t want to eat and drink
• Turn off the machine and curl up in a safe area like a crate or under furniture and get plenty of sleep
• Diarrhea due to stress or dietary changes
• Test his boundaries

Stages of a Rescue Dog: The First Three Weeks

During this time, the beginner feels comfortable and his true personality emerges. He can:

• Starting to settle down
• Feel more comfortable
• Realize that this could be his forever home
• Get to know his environment
• Creating a habit
• Let him let his guard down and start showing his true personality
• Show any ingrained behavior problems

Stages of a Rescue Dog: The First Three Months

This is the stage where your pet dog’s true personality and temperament is shown. It was a great time to bond with him. He can:

• Totally comfortable in his new home
• Start to trust and build a relationship with you
• Feeling completely secure with his new family
• Fit in and accept his new routine

How to help your rescue dog settle down in your home

Set up a safe space away from commotion, such as a spare bedroom or laundry room. It should be a welcoming area with a cozy bed and crate.

Establish a routine Let your new canine companion know what to expect and feel confident in his new world. He needs regular feeding, exercise, play and training. Use positive reinforcement and talk calmly when getting to know him. Please be patient. Slowly introduce him to his new environment and family.

The 3-3-3 rule establishes milestones that help predict what your new canine addition might encounter. By understanding what happens in these three stages, you will be better able to help your child adjust to his new world. With patience, planning, and routine, the relationship with your rescued puppy will blossom and you’ll have great adventures to come and memories to make.