How to Survive the First 24 Hours With Your New Rescue Dog

Plus, how long it takes shelter dogs to fully decompress in their new homes.

Reviewed by Marla Fischl

You've triple-checked the pre-pup shopping list, filled his toy box, and arranged his feeding station just so. But what you may not realize about the first 24 hours with your new rescue dog is that this is a time for decompression, not a frenzy of introductions.

Taking time to settle in is just part of the dog rescue experience. “Everything is new, they don’t know the rules or what’s expected of them,” says Amanda Farah, CPDT-KA, national training and behavior coordinator at Best Friends Animal Society. “A little (or a lot) of stress behavior is normal. It will get better, and there’s a lot we can do to help it get better more quickly.”

Transitioning to a new home is a little different for each pup, but here's what the first 24 hours with your rescue dog might look like. Knowing what to expect will make these crucial (but joyous!) first hours more intentional and set you and your dog up for a long-lasting friendship.

Create a Calming Environment with Boundaries

Rather than having free rein of the house, small spaces or rooms can help new pets feel more secure and less overwhelmed. This is your pup's "safe space." Even after fully integrating into the family, your dog should always have the option to retreat to their safe space when they're feeling overwhelmed, explains Maddie Messina, MA, CPDT-KA, SAPT, FFCP, applied animal behaviorist and founder of Paws for Thought.

While you might be in a flurry of excitement, your dog's safe space encourages calm. Think dim lights, a comfy dog bed, and perhaps soothing music for dogs, Messina suggests. Dogs tend to chew when they're nervous, Farah adds, so remove anything that you don't want your dog gnawing on. Replace them with Kongs, lick mats, and other enriching toys. This is also a place they can retreat from humans, so respect their space when they ask for it, especially in those overwhelming first 24 hours.

If possible, try to keep your new dog separated from other pets until they have adjusted to their new home and environment. It’s also important not to overwhelm your new dog with visitors too soon, so only introduce immediate family members for the first few days.

Only after you notice signs of your new pup settling in—no potty accidents, happily playing and interacting, and comfortably resting—Farah says to let them explore one area of the home at a time. This likely won't be within the first 24 hours. "When we’ve gotten to know the dog’s overall behavior, we can judge more accurately whether or not it may be safe to allow them freedom in the house," she says.

Establish Routines

Dogs thrive on the predictability of routines, Farah says. Routines not only help alleviate anxiety in dogs but also help them thrive in other areas of their life, like potty training.

“Most adult dogs will need to relieve themselves three to four times a day, and puppies will need to go much more often,” she explains. “Decide where you’d like that to happen. Take your dog to that place immediately after waking up, after eating, and after play, and reward a successful potty visit with lots of treats and praise.”

Keep in mind that routines aren't schedules, but rather predictable structures that provide familiarity throughout the day. For example, a routine doesn't necessarily mean that your dog will eat breakfast at the same time each day. It may mean taking your dog potty after waking up each morning followed by breakfast, a walk, and a chew toy before heading out the door for work.

When thinking about an ideal routine, consider that most adult dogs eat twice a day and puppies more frequently. The amount of exercise your dog needs depends on their breed, age, and overall health. Typically, you should aim for 60 minutes of exercise per day, split into two or three shorter sessions.

Stay Calm and Don’t Get Discouraged

When new dog parents say their pup is displaying challenging behaviors, Farah reminds them that their new dog isn’t bad or acting out. They’re just trying to figure out what this new place and life is all about, she says.

“For many rescue dogs, this might be their first time living in a home,” Messina adds. She says that rather than punishing your pup, lean into positive reinforcement training techniques and tools like gates and pens. Your dog’s safe space will help here, too.

“Help shift them away from the less preferred behavior and give them something to focus on instead that is calming like a food-stuffed Kong or a bully stick,” she says. “For more nervous dogs who are afraid to approach, try tossing treats to them from a distance.”

What Is the 3-3-3 Rule of Dog Adoption?

The 3-3-3 is a popular concept to help adopters understand what a rescue dog goes through when adjusting to a new home. The 3-3-3 rule breaks the adoption adjustment period into three phases:

• First 3 days: Rescue dogs spend the first three days home decompressing in a quiet space. They may be nervous and uncertain.

• First three weeks: For the next three weeks, new rescue dogs begin learning their new routines and household rules. This is when your dog’s true personality begins to shine. If there are any behavior challenges, this is typically when they become more apparent, so you may consider working with a trainer or behavioral specialist.

• After three months: New rescue pups are fully settled into their homes. They know all the routines, have built bonds, and trust their family. 
  

However, Farah and Messina emphasize that every new rescue pup settles in at his own pace. How much time a dog requires to feel secure depends on factors such as age, temperament, socialization history, life experiences, and health. Think of the 3-3-3 as a flexible concept rather than a rule, Farah suggests.

Read the original article on The Spruce Pets.