Adopting a rescue dog can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it also comes with its own unique set of challenges. One of the most important things to understand when bringing home a new furry friend is the 3-3-3 rule. This simple guideline can help you and your pup adjust to each other and make sure your pet has the best chance of success in their new home.
The 3-3-3 rule is a general guideline that represents the phases of a rescue dog or common milestones your new dog or puppy will go through. It consists of three distinct stages: the first three days, the first three weeks, and the first three months after bringing your dog home from the shelter. Each stage has its own set of challenges and considerations, so understanding what to expect during each phase can help you provide your pup with the best possible care.
The First Three Days
The first three days are often considered to be some of the most important for establishing trust between you and your pup. During this time, it’s important to give them plenty of space and time to adjust to their new environment without feeling overwhelmed or stressed out. Make sure they have access to food, water, and a comfortable place to sleep away from loud noises or other distractions. Let them explore their new home at their own pace while providing plenty of reassurance through gentle words and touches.
It’s also important to establish boundaries during this time by setting limits on where they can go in your home and what behaviors are acceptable or not acceptable. This will help them understand what is expected from them as they get used to living with you. Additionally, it’s important to start teaching basic commands like “sit” or “stay” during this time so that they understand how you expect them to behave in different situations.
The First Three Weeks
During this stage, it’s important for both you and your pup to continue building trust with one another as well as reinforcing any training that was started during the first three days. This is also when you should begin introducing them to other people outside of your family if possible (with social distancing measures in place). Doing so will help them become more comfortable around strangers which will be beneficial for both walks outside as well as visits from friends or family members in the future.
Additionally, it’s important for both you and your pup to get into a routine during this stage so that they know what activities come next throughout each day such as meal times, potty breaks, playtime, etc.. Having structure helps create consistency which can make life easier for both you and your pup while helping them feel more secure in their new environment.
The First Three Months
The last stage is all about continuing training while allowing more freedom for exploration within safe boundaries that were established earlier on in their adoption process. During this time it’s important for both you and your pup to continue building trust with one another while reinforcing any positive behaviors learned earlier on such as basic commands like “sit” or “stay” as well as walking nicely on leash outside without pulling too much or barking at other dogs/people passing by. Additionally, it’s important for both parties involved (you & your pup)to remain consistent with routines established earlier on such as meal times/potty breaks/playtime/etc.. Doing so helps create consistency which makes life easier for everyone involved while helping build trust between humans & animals alike!
Overall, understanding & following the 3-3-3 rule when adopting a rescue dog can help ensure that everyone involved has an enjoyable experience & sets up both parties involved (you & your pup)for success! With patience & consistency anyone can successfully adopt & integrate a rescue dog into their family!
