Rescuing a dog is an incredibly rewarding process, but it can also be tiring, stressful and frustrating. We have to remember that they have potentially been through a number of traumatic events. These can shape how a dog behaves- at first we just have to be aware of this, and help them settle into family life. For some, it may be the first time they have had that chance. Patience, understanding and leadership are the core components which will help you get through any teething issues you might have.
The 3-3-3 rule is a loose rule to follow when rescuing a dog that we will go through in more detail below. Before we do, it's worth being aware that they aren't exact and each dog will be different. The three month milestone happened much later with Cherry because we were her third home in just over a year, so her sense of being settled took a lot longer.
Rescue guide
The first three days for a rescue dog will be about decompressing. They have just had their whole world turned upside down. There is a chance they have been in kennels for a while so being inside a house, sometimes for the first time, can be stressful. We recommend that during this time you limit their access to the space. We want them to be able to go outside on lead, and have a nice calm room they can relax in with access to their crate. Top tip- every time they go in their crate, praise them! Whether it's vocal or with a treat, every time adds value to the crate. Over the coming days you can open up more areas for them but all at once can be overwhelming.
Even with the best setup possible, there is always a risk that they have had experiences in the past that cause them to lash out when stressed. It's important to remember this going in and not to think the situation is worse than it is because they were just settling and trying to set their own boundaries.
Because of this, if you have children it's important to explain to them that although it's exciting to have the new family member home, they need time to adjust.
Three Days
The first three weeks are all about them learning the rules and routines of your space. We have put a link to the starter guide to the left, but during this time it's important to focus on crate training, impulse control and leadership. We want them to know they are safe and secure, and having a crate with a high value association will massively help with this.
Although it's important to work through things like impulse control and leadership, the majority of your focus should be on marker training basics. Think of this as teaching them the language- for example, the leave it exercise is going to be very important for teaching them both leadership and impulse control. Until they know what your words mean you are no different to a bare chested English man shouting CHIPS at a sad Spanish waiter just trying to get through their shift.
Three Weeks
Three Months
After the first three months they will have learned how your home runs and their place within that. They will be starting to create a bond with you, learning what it means to be your companion. At this point you should be working through the starter guide while being aware of the unique needs your rescue has.
