Bringing a rescue dog into your home is a heartwarming and rewarding experience, but it also comes with its challenges. Rescue dogs often come with unique histories, which can affect how they adjust to their new environment. Whether they've been abandoned, rehomed, or spent time in a shelter, patience and understanding are essential to helping them thrive in your home.
How Long Does It Take for a Rescue Dog to Settle?
The adjustment period for a rescue dog varies greatly depending on their background, temperament, and the environment you're providing. I get asked this question a lot; how long is a piece of string really! However, a general framework known as the "3-3-3 Rule" provides a good guideline and something to bare in mind when bringing your rescue or rehome home!
First 3 Days: Your dog may feel overwhelmed, scared, or anxious. They might pace, hide, or be overly clingy. Some dogs may refuse to eat or drink, while others may show stress behaviors like excessive barking or chewing. In this time, you should be allowing your dog to adjust and settle in. I recommend not walking your dog in this time. Often, your dog adjusting to their new surroundings is enough without stressing them out on walks.
First 3 Weeks: Your dog begins to understand their routine and starts to feel more comfortable. Their true personality may begin to emerge, and you’ll start to notice any behavioral issues that need addressing. In this time, I recommend building a relationship with your new dog through games. Again, stress free, confidence building walks in necessary! Until a dog has a good strong bond with you they are not going to have the confidence in you on walks.
First 3 Months: By this point, your dog should start to be settling and see your home as their own. Stronger bonds form, and training and trust become more effective as their confidence grows. I think it takes a good six months for your dog to truly settle and adjust to your way of life. In this time, their behaviour may be like a rollercoaster; you may not see their true self until around six months of being with you. In the first three months I would advise careful introductions to their new world and experiences.
Keep in mind that some dogs may take longer to adjust, especially if they have experienced trauma or prolonged instability.
Tips for Helping Your Rescue Dog Settle
Create a Safe Space: Set up a quiet area with a comfortable bed or crate where your dog can retreat to if they feel overwhelmed. A crate can serve as a den-like environment, offering a sense of security. This space may have to be grown and build value here for example, feeding their breakfast and tea in here.
Go Slow with Introductions: Limit exposure to new people, pets, and environments during the initial months. Let your dog acclimate to their immediate surroundings before expanding their world.
Avoid Overwhelming Them: Don’t force affection or interaction. Allow your dog to approach you at their own pace. This is SO IMPORTANT! Don't rush this!!
Observe Their Body Language: Watch for signs of stress, such as yawning, lip licking, or a tucked tail. This will help you gauge what your dog is comfortable with.
Training Tips for Rescue Dogs
Training is an essential part of helping a rescue dog settle into their new home. It not only builds trust but also establishes structure and improves their confidence. Here are some key training tips:
Start with Basic Commands: Focus on foundational commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” Use positive reinforcement, such as treats, praise, and toys, to reward good behavior.
Focus on Bonding Before Advanced Training: Building trust is crucial before tackling more complex training. Spend time playing, walking, and simply being present with your dog. Food puzzles can be a pressure free enrichment activity.
House Training: Even if your dog is an adult, they may need to relearn house training in a new environment. Take them outside frequently, especially after meals, naps, and playtime. Praise them lavishly when they toilet in the right place.
Socialisation: Gradually introduce your dog to new experiences, such as car rides, parks, and other dogs (good role models so not pushy, over powering dogs!). Keep these interactions positive and low-pressure.
Work on Separation Anxiety: Many rescue dogs struggle with being left alone and more so not having access to you in the house. Start by leaving them for short periods and gradually increase the time. A great addition to this is your dog being able to settle when put either behind a baby gate or in a crate. However this needs to be trained carefully and if you are struggling with this I advise seeing a trainer who can help you with this.
Desensitize to Triggers: If your dog reacts strongly to certain stimuli (e.g., loud noises, strangers), use counter-conditioning. Pair the trigger with something positive, like treats, at a safe distance. Distance is KEY here!
Use a Calm, Consistent Tone: Avoid yelling or punishment, which can lead to fear or confusion. Be patient and use a calm voice during training.
Enroll in Obedience Classes: Group classes can be an excellent way to socialize and train your dog under professional guidance. Many trainers specialise in working with rescue dogs. Ideally you want room to increase your distance in a class in case your dog needs more space!
Common Challenges with Rescue Dogs
Rescue dogs may display certain behaviors that require extra patience, such as:
Fear and Anxiety: Address with confidence games and gradual exposure to new experiences I like to do this through short game playing sessions.
Resource Guarding: Avoid taking items away forcefully. Instead, teach a trade-up game using treats to encourage them to give up valued objects willingly.
Excessive Barking or Chewing: Provide plenty of physical and mental stimulation to reduce boredom-related behaviors.
When to Seek Professional Help
Some rescue dogs may have deep-seated behavioral issues, such as guarding or extreme fear, that require the help of a professional dog trainer or behaviorist. Look for someone with experience in positive reinforcement and rescue dog rehabilitation. Games based training is amazing for rescue dogs!
Celebrating the Wins
Every small victory—whether it’s learning a command, playing with a toy, or simply wagging their tail—deserves celebration. Your patience and love will transform your rescue dog’s life, and they’ll repay you with unconditional loyalty.
Final Thoughts
Welcoming a rescue dog into your home is a journey of patience, love, and growth. While it may take time for your new companion to fully settle, the bond you build during this period will be unbreakable. By providing a safe environment, consistent training, and plenty of positive reinforcement, you’ll give your rescue dog the happy life they deserve—and they’ll fill your home with joy in return. Remember, you are the best owner for your new dog!
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