The 3-3-3 Rule of Adopting a Rescue Dog - New Hope Animal Rescue, Austin TX (2024)

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The 3-3-3 Rule of Adopting a Rescue Dog - New Hope Animal Rescue, Austin TX? ›

It suggests that the first three days should be used for adjusting to its new surroundings, the next three weeks for training and bonding, and the first three months for continued socialization and training.

Whether you rescue an older dog or a puppy, a lot of dogs tend to follow the 3-3-3 rule when getting acclimated: 3 days of feeling overwhelmed and nervous. 3 weeks of settling in. 3 months of building trust and bonding with you.

Some Rescue Animals Have Special Needs

Sometimes, animals were surrendered for a reason or had previous owners who didn't treat them well. Some rescue animals therefore may have behavioral problems that some new pet owners may not be prepared to handle.

If a shelter is unable or unwilling to provide a clear medical history for a dog, it's a significant red flag. At minimum, you should expect information about the dog's vaccination status, whether they've been spayed or neutered, and any known health issues.

The 3-3-3 rule refers to the amount of time it can take for rescue dogs to feel comfortable in a new home and breaks it down into milestones: three days, three weeks, and three months.

Adopting a rescue dog can come with challenges, but with patience and understanding, they can be overcome. Common challenges include behavioral issues, such as barking, chewing, and digging, and health problems, such as anxiety and fear.

The 3-3-3 rule is a set of guidelines for the first three days, three weeks, and three months after adopting a new dog. The goal of the 3-3-3 rule is to help the dog adjust to their new environment and build a strong foundation for a long and happy life with their new family.

One experienced dog trainer and expert on dog development suggested that the optimum age for a puppy to go to its new owner is about 8-to-9-weeks, when the pup is ready to develop a strong bond.

First let's talk a little about aging profiles of dogs. Small dogs can live up to 16 years, medium size dogs 10 to 14 years and large dogs, like a Great Dane size, typically live 7 to 8 years. Large breed dogs stay “puppylike” for 24 months or more, compared to the usual 12 to 15 months for medium and small dogs.

Do rescue dogs know they are loved? ›

According to VCA Animal Hospitals, yes they do!

If their body language is relaxed and welcoming, that's a good sign. One of the easiest signs to tell whether or not a dog feels safe around you is to check their body language. A dog that feels comfortable around you will have a more relaxed body language, allowing you to pet them and play with them.

Meanwhile, nervous rescue dogs often latch on to one person in the household very strongly. In extreme cases, they may suffer separation anxiety if that particular person isn't around. The best way to bond here is for the less trusted person to give their dog ample space to check them out in the dog's own time.

The bottom line is, while dogs may not understand the concept of rescue, they definitely have the ability to recognize their owners through their senses and emotional connection.

Yes, your dog will miss you when you give them away. But dogs are incredibly resilient, and they live in the moment. It is normal for a dog to grieve the loss of their previous family and go through an acclimation period in their new home.

When it comes to where dog's get their daily calories, we recommend following the 90/10 rule: 90% of calories from a complete and balanced diet, 10% from treats! Treats can be considered the splurge, but more often, the actual act of giving a treat means more to the dog than the actual treat itself.

Literally in two weeks you will see a change in the dog and begin to see its honest and true personality. They will be well behaved and literally shut down themselves these first few weeks. Once the shut down time is over, they relax and the true personality begins to shine through!

Eaten from at least 7 different containers • Been held and petted by at least 7 different people • Taken at least 7 one-mile car rides • Been in a crate at least 7 times • Played with at least 7 different kinds of toys • Walked on at least 7 different substrates (grass, gravel, concrete, etc.)

As soon as they try or do nip, calmly say “no” and look away. Removing all of this attention from your dog will show them that a nip means no more love or attention. Try a “three-strike you're out” concept—if your dog nips, you say no, and they do it two more times, calmly get up and walk away from the situation.