11/08/2025
Yes! I am always sharing this rule with people who adopt or have just gotten a new dog. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/164gmPZ3Dh/?mibextid=wwXIfr
🐾 The 3’s Philosophy of Decompression
When a new dog enters your home, whether fostered or adopted - remember this: transition is a process, not a moment.
We often think with our hearts first...and that’s okay. ❤️
Bringing home a rescue dog feels like the start of their happy-ever-after, and it’s natural to want them to experience everything they’ve missed. New beds, toys, freedom, love.... all at once.
But exposing them to too much, too soon can unintentionally overwhelm their nervous system. They aren’t ungrateful or shy... they’re simply flooded and overwhelmed.
Think of it like coming home from a long cross-country trip or flight. Before diving into social plans or unpacking chaos, you need time to breathe.
Dogs do, too.
🐕🦺 Meeting Resident Dogs: Slow is Safe
When introducing a new dog to your existing dogs, think speed dating, not instant friendship.
Your dogs may read the situation differently than you expect. A dog that’s overly friendly or pushy can trigger negative reactions in a tired or overstimulated resident dog.
Give them time to decompress separately before breaking the ice. Calm dogs make better first impressions.
🧠 The 3’s Philosophy Explained
1. The First 3 Days - Survival Mode
Your new dog is observing everything.
They may pace, pant, bark, or cling to you — or they may hide. This is their nervous system finding safety.
👉 Keep things quiet.
👉 Limit visitors, introductions, and outings.
👉 Offer routine: meals, rest, potty, sleep, repeat.
They don’t know your household “rules” yet, they can’t read your whiteboard of do’s and don’ts.
It’s your job to teach them patiently. 💖
2. The First 3 Weeks - Adjustment Mode
You’ll start seeing more personality - testing, exploring, maybe some mischief.
👉 Begin light structure: short training, gentle walks, predictable routines.
👉 Praise calm and independence; ignore pushy behavior.
👉 Continue alone time and kennel training, even when you’re home.
This is where you start building trust through predictability.
3. The First 3 Months - Trust & Integration Mode
Now your dog starts feeling at home, sometimes a little too comfortable. 😉
👉 Keep reinforcing calm behavior and clear boundaries.
👉 Slowly introduce new experiences and visitors.
👉 Maintain consistent routines for security.
You’ll notice more confidence, but also new quirks surfacing. That’s normal, it means they feel safe enough to show who they are.
💬 Final Thought
Every dog’s decompression timeline looks different. Some settle in days; others take months.
When in doubt - slow down, breathe, and meet them where they are.
Structure isn’t about control. It’s how we communicate safety and respect.
Once a dog learns that they can depend on your consistency, connection naturally follows. 💛
Need help troubleshooting your new foster or adopted dog’s settling-in period?
🐾 Book a Mini Paws session - quick, 30-minute virtual or in-person consults focused on decompression, structure, and behavior basics.
Calm starts with connection. Let’s set you both up for success! 💻✨
https://portal.busypaws.app/customers/charlotte-s-corner-behavior-consulting
