The 3-3-3 Rule: Helping Your New Dog Adjust and Thrive
NYC Second Chance Rescue's Weekender Foster Program
Have you thought about fostering a dog but just don't have the time during the week? Have some free weekends that you want to fill with helping a dog socialize and get out of the rescue center? This program is the answer to your prayers!
What Does a “Weekender” Do?
Spend your weekends fostering one of the dogs at our Rescue Center.
Pick them up on Friday, drop them off on Sunday, and repeat!
Dog Experience Preferred. No Cats.
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The 3-3-3 Rule: Helping Your New Dog Adjust and Thrive
Bringing a new dog into your home is an exciting time, filled with anticipation and love. But it’s also a time of significant change for your new furry family member. To ensure a smooth transition, it’s important to understand the 3-3-3 Rule—a helpful guideline that outlines what to expect in the first three days, three weeks, and three months of bringing home a new dog. Every dog is unique and will adjust at their own pace, but this guide can help you set realistic expectations and create a supportive environment for your new pet.
What is the 3-3-3 Rule?
The 3-3-3 Rule is a general decompression timeline for newly adopted dogs. It’s broken down into three stages:
3 Days to Decompress
In the first three days, your new dog may feel overwhelmed and need time to adjust to their new environment. During this period, it’s normal for them to:
- Feel nervous, timid, or anxious- Hide under furniture or seek out quiet spots- Not have a regular appetite- Test boundaries as they try to understand their new surroundings
It’s essential to give your new dog space and patience during these first few days. Let them explore their new home at their own pace and avoid overwhelming them with too much interaction or activity.
3 Weeks to Learn a Routine
After the initial adjustment, the next three weeks are all about settling in and understanding the daily routine. During this stage, your dog will:
- Start to understand who you are and feel more comfortable in the home- Realize that they may be staying for good, leading to them letting their guard down- Begin to show more of their true personality, which may also bring out some behavior issues
Consistency is key during this time. Establish regular feeding, walking, and play times to help your dog feel secure. This routine will help build a sense of predictability, making them feel more at ease in their new environment.
3 Months to Start to Feel at Home
By the three-month mark, your dog should feel like a true part of the family. This is when they:
- Feel fully comfortable in their new home- Understand their place within the family "pack"- Show their true personality on a daily basis- Begin to develop a deep bond of trust with you- Gain a complete sense of security and settle into a routine
This stage is where you’ll likely see the biggest transformation. Your dog will begin to relax, feel safe, and enjoy life as a beloved member of your family.
Dog Decompression Tips for a Smooth Transition
Adjusting to a new home can be challenging for a dog, especially if they’ve come from a shelter or a difficult past. Here are some important decompression tips to make the process smoother:
1. Give Everyone Time: Allow both your new dog and any resident pets time to adjust to the changes. This adjustment takes patience and cannot be rushed.
2. Crate and Rotate: For the first few weeks, it’s crucial to keep your new dog and resident pets separated, using a “crate and rotate” method. This means moving your resident pets to another room or crate while your new dog has time out of their crate. It prevents any off-leash interactions that could be stressful or unsafe.
3. Introduce Slowly: After the first week, if your dogs seem to tolerate each other well, you can start introducing them slowly on walks together. Keep a distance at first, and only allow supervised social time if they seem relaxed around each other.
4. Supervision is Key: Even if your dogs appear to get along, always supervise their interactions. This supervision may need to continue for several months or longer, depending on how your pets adapt to each other.
5. Avoid Stressful Situations: It’s best to avoid taking your new dog on long walks, car rides, or outings to pet stores until they have fully adjusted. These activities can be overwhelming and stressful for a dog who is still learning to trust their new environment.
Why the 3-3-3 Rule Matters
Understanding the 3-3-3 Rule helps set realistic expectations during the transition period. It reminds us that adjusting to a new home takes time, and patience is essential. By following this guideline, you can help your dog feel safe, build trust, and ultimately thrive in their new forever home.
Remember, every dog is different. While the 3-3-3 Rule provides a helpful framework, some dogs may take longer to adjust, and that’s okay. The goal is to create a loving, stable environment where your dog feels secure and valued.
By giving your new dog the time and space they need to settle in, you’re not only helping them adjust but also laying the foundation for a strong, loving bond that will last a lifetime. 🐾❤️
#DogAdoption #DogDecompression #NewDogTips #AdoptDontShop #DogCare #PetParenting #HappyDogs #3DayRule #3WeekRule #3MonthRule
MEET ROOFUS
Roofus is sweeter than sweet, and he's hoping to steal your heart and jumpstart a new chapter in his life. Roofus is 75 pounds of couch potato potential and a whole lot of love to give. He had a great time meeting the other dogs at our adoption event! He's just a good boy looking for a second chance. Apply today to bring Roofus home.
All dogs will be altered, microchipped, and receive age-appropriate vaccines prior to adoption. Please note that the listed location for this dog may not be accurate due to technical limitations of this database and we have transportation options available within 6 hours of NYC (so don't let location hold you back)!
Interested in fostering or adopting? Need more info on this dog? The first step in the process is filling out an application on our website.
Adoption application: www.nycsecondchancerescue.org/general-application/
Foster application: https://www.nycsecondchancerescue.org/dog-foster-application/
Adoption process & fees: www.nycsecondchancerescue.org/process/
For a full list of our available dogs and current adoption promotions, visit:https://nycsecondchancerescue.org/adoptable-dogs/
Not what you were looking for? You can adopt a different pet by using our search feature and adjusting the radius. Thank you for helping our animal shelters and rescue groups with pet adoption.
| Name | Roofus |
|---|---|
| Adoption Fee | $175.00- Dog over 8 |
| Age | 8 years, 8 months |
| Gender | Male |
| Size | Large |
| Shots up to date | Yes |
| OK with kids | Not Sure |
| Housetrained | Not Sure |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Spayed / Neutered | Yes |
| OK with dogs | Yes |
| OK with cats | No |
If you have questions about Roofus please contact
NYC Second Chance Rescue
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Transporting dogs is our passion but passions come at a cost. With the price of everything increasing, (gas, tolls, supplies, etc) we could use some help! If you can, we would graciously accept some donation assistance. Venmo @dalind31
THANK YOU!!
Thinking it's time to expand your family? Want to explore rescuing a dog of your own?
Check out Second Chance Rescues available pups --> CLICK HERE <--
Thinking maybe fostering is more your speed? --> CLICK HERE <--
Maybe you can't adopt or foster but can help in another way?
To donate to Second Chance Rescue... --> CLICK HERE <-- Every bit helps!
Remember to, #adoptdontshop #becausetheymatter.
There is no love like the love from a rescue! ❤️🐶❤️
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