Each dog adopted from Anti-Cruelty is unique and will adjust to their new environment differently. It is important to be patient and give your new dog space and grace. This will allow them to settle in at their own pace, letting their true personality blossom.
The 3•3•3 rule is a general guideline for what to expect.
3D
The first 3 days…
- Scared/unsure of new surroundings
- Overwhelmed
- Trembling
- Little to no appetite
- May avoid eye contact and/or touch
- May hide in a secluded, small space to feel more secure
- Not comfortable enough to show true personality
How you can help:
- Set a feeding and walking schedule to help with housetraining and building a routine
- Provide a quiet, private space, like a crate, where they can rest and nap
- Use positive reinforcement to reward desireable behaviors
3W
After 3 weeks…
- Starting to feel more comfortable
- Realizing this may be their forever home
- Building trust with owner
- Figuring out environment
- Starting to settle in
- Establishing a routine
- Letting their guard down
- True personality begins to show
- Behavior issues may emerge
How you can help:
- Begin a training curriculum, either at home or in a class, to build trust and focus
- Introduce them to new people, sights, and sounds
- Continue using positive reinforcement to reward their polite behavior
3M
After 3 months…
- Forms true bond with owner
- Completely comfortable in the home
- Set in their routine
- Sense of security with members of the family
How you can help:
- Add variety to their day with puzzles, stuffed Kongs, a rotating selection of toys, and nose-work activities
- Take your dog on a short drive to build their confidence in a car
- Take an agility class or help your dog work toward a Canine Good Citizen certification so they can share their love with the community