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Rescue Dog Essentials

The 3-3-3 Rule for Rescue Dogs

The 3-3-3 rule for rescue dogs: what to expect in the first 3 days, 3 weeks and 3 months after adoption.

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First 3 days: Decompress

Your dog may be scared, shut down, or not eat much. Keep things quiet, skip visitors and outings, and let them hide if they need to. Don't take it personally.

First 3 weeks: Learn the routine

They start to figure out the schedule and test boundaries. Keep the routine consistent and start gentle training. Their true personality begins to show.

First 3 months: Feel at home

Trust builds and they feel secure. Many dogs settle into a real bond by now.

A gentle reminder

The 3-3-3 rule is a guideline, not a deadline. Some dogs settle in days; others need much longer.

Escape-proof first

New rescues are most likely to bolt in the first weeks. Use a martingale collar or snug harness, keep ID tags on, and use a long line instead of off-leash time.

Keep reading

Woman walking a small dog across a field Shopping listAdopting an Adult Dog: What to Buy First A rescue dog shopping list: the gentle, escape-proof gear to buy before you bring your adopted dog home. Three golden puppies sitting in the grass Free printableYour First 30 Days With a New Puppy A week-by-week plan for your first 30 days with a new puppy: settling in, potty training, crate training and socializing. Golden puppy in the grass TrainingPuppy Potty Training Schedule That Works A simple puppy potty training schedule by age, with the times your puppy needs to go out and what to do about accidents.