The 3-3-3 Rule helps adopters understand the timeline for a rescue dog’s adjustment: 3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to learn routines, and 3 months to feel fully at home.
This guide explains each stage, shares real-life stories, and offers tips to help you avoid common mistakes.
Download my free From Rescue to Home: Survival Kit for step-by-step help.
Or if you’re a rescue/shelter, grab the 3-3-3 graphics and adoption handbook templates for your organization.
What is the 3-3-3 Rule for Dogs?
The 3-3-3 rule is a general guideline that represents the phases of a rescue dog or common milestones your new dog will go through… it is the first 3 days, 3 weeks, and 3 months after bringing your dog home from the shelter.
The 3-3-3 rule is sometimes referred to as the “rescue dog honeymoon period.”
If you’ve ever started a new job or moved to a new school, you know the feeling of being in an unfamiliar place, new surroundings, new people, and new rules. This is how your dog feels as they adjust to their new home.
The 3 Stages of the 3-3-3 Rule
Please note that this is a guideline. The time your dog needs to adjust is as unique as they are.
Here’s what those first 3 days, 3 weeks, and 3 months look like in real life…
3 Days: Decompression
Your dog is likely overwhelmed, nervous, and unsure. Don’t expect too much right away. They might not eat or drink much and could be scared or unsure about their new environment.
Due to the stress, potty accidents may occur. During this time, they might hide or be very cautious around you and your family. Alternatively, they might test boundaries to see what they can get away with, similar to a teenager.
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Maybe scared and unsure of what is going on
- Not comfortable enough to be “themself”
- May not want to eat or drink
- Shut down and wants to curl up in his crate or hide under a table
- Testing the boundaries
3 Weeks: Learning the Routine
By now, your dog will typically start to settle in, feeling a little more comfortable and beginning to understand their new routine. They may start to show their true personality and begin to trust you more.
- Starting to settle in
- Feeling more comfortable
- Realizing this could possibly be their forever home
- Figured out their environment
- Getting into a routine
- Let their guard down and may start showing their true personality
- Behavior issues may start showing up
3 Months: Feeling at Home
This is when transformation shines. Your dog may start to trust you and feel secure in their new home. They may begin to settle into a routine and become comfortable with their environment.
This period is when you will see your dog’s true personality and begin to build a deeper bond.
- Finally, completely comfortable in his home.
- Building trust and a true bond
- Gained a complete sense of security with his new family
- Set in a routine
Adjusting to the Timeline
Remember, these timelines are general guidelines. Every dog is unique, and some may take longer to adjust. It’s important to be patient and not rush the process.
If your dog takes 6, 8, or even 12 months to fully adjust, that’s completely normal. The key is to provide a consistent, loving environment and celebrate the small victories along the way.
Your understanding and support during these phases are crucial in helping your rescue dog feel at home and begin to thrive.
Enjoy your newly adopted dog, give them love, support, and time, and they will soon become your best friend!
Common Mistakes Adopters Make
- Expecting their dog to be “normal” instantly.
- Flooding them with too many new people, places, or dogs.
- Initially, letting rules slide, then trying to enforce them later.
- Ignoring subtle stress signals (panting, pacing, avoidance).
Tips for Success
- Stick to the 3-3-3 timeline as a guideline, not a rigid rule. Every dog adjusts at their own pace.
- Focus on structure and bonding over tricks or obedience in the first weeks.
- Use enrichment games and confidence-building activities to help anxious dogs.
- Be patient. Progress isn’t always linear, but the payoff is huge.
Want a step-by-step plan for those first weeks and months? Download my free Rescue to Home Survival Kit… It’s packed with tips, checklists, and resources to help you and your new dog thrive together.
For Rescues & Shelters
I love that rescues and humane societies want to share the 3-3-3 Rule… it’s such a powerful tool to set adopters up for success. But instead of recreating the wheel (and risking incorrect info), you can get:
- The official 3-3-3 graphics for commercial use
- Or the complete Dog Adoption Handbook Template Pack, which includes the 3-3-3 Rule and so much more for your adopters
Click here to get the 3-3-3 Rule graphics and adoption templates.
How to Share This Graphic
Rescues & shelters: I love it when organizations use the 3-3-3 Rule to educate adopters. Please do not recreate or alter this graphic.
You are welcome to share it on your website or social media, provided you attribute the content and include a link back to this page.
If you’d like to use it in printed materials or adoption packets, please purchase the official 3-3-3 graphics for commercial use or the full Dog Adoption Handbook Template Pack.
Together, we can make sure every adopter understands what their new dog needs to succeed.
The Origin of the 3-3-3 Rule
The 3-3-3 Rule was originally created over 15 years ago by Sue Kroyer, a long-time rescuer who ran the Cocker Connection Rescue in Los Angeles. She shared it with discouraged adopters to give them a perspective on what to expect.
Years later, I (Debi McKee, Rescue Dogs 101) designed the now well-known 3-3-3 graphic and wrote one of the first comprehensive blog posts explaining the rule in detail. That visual made the 3-3-3 Rule easy to share… and it quickly spread across the internet.
So while Sue is the originator of the concept, I’m grateful to have helped bring it to life visually and make it accessible to adopters and rescues worldwide.
FAQs About the 3-3-3 Rule
How long will it take MY rescue dog to adjust?
The honest answer is, it depends. Some dogs will follow the 3-3-3 rule to the letter, while others may take 6 months or a full year to feel completely comfortable.
Keep in mind that the 3-3-3 dog rule is a general guideline. It will depend on the situation the dog was surrendered, the dog’s personality, and their background.
What can I do to help my rescue dog adjust faster?
Patience is key, but there are ways to support your dog. Keep routines predictable, offer a safe space, use calm and positive reinforcement, and avoid overwhelming them with too many new experiences at once. Small, consistent steps build trust faster than rushing things.
Should I follow the 3-3-3 Rule exactly?
The 3-3-3 Rule is a guideline, not a strict formula. Every dog is different. Some may breeze through in a matter of weeks, while others may need many months. Use the rule as a framework to set expectations, but always follow your dog’s pace.
What if my dog isn’t improving after 3 months?
Don’t panic… many rescue dogs take 6 months to a year to feel fully settled. If your dog still appears anxious, consider consulting a trainer or veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical issues. Progress may be slower, but with consistency and patience, most dogs come around.
Final Thoughts
I encourage you to take it slow. I know it’s exciting to get a new dog, but see life through your dog’s eyes…
They have been through a lot, they may have lost their family, possibly been abused, or abandoned in a noisy shelter, … it’s all very stressful. Your dog needs time, so give it to them.
Remember, the 3-3-3 dog rule is a general guideline. Your dog will go at their own pace during this “honeymoon period”; it could take 4, 5, or maybe even 6 months.
Each dog is unique. Just be there for them, comfort them when they need it, and create a positive, safe environment, and you will be on your way to raising your perfect dog.
Whether you’re an adopter or an organization, please share this message — but do it with proper credit and accurate information. That’s how we help more dogs find and stay in their forever homes.
Hello, I’ve got a shelter dog on trial. She’s only about 10 months old, staffy mix and she is so chilled. She’s friendly and respectful of my old boy. Is she likely to stay like this or can she turn into a crazy lady? I will be training. My last rescue dog was about the same age and absolutely nuts for about 6 weeks ! Sorry just feeling a bit anxious. Thank you
It’s important to realize every dog has their own unique personality. Just like people, no two dogs are the same. So what you experienced with your last dog, will most likely be very different with this new puppy. It’s hard to say how your new puppy will be. If you’ve only had her for a few days, it’s going to take time for her to relax and show her true personality.
Thanks so much for this article. We are fostering a beautiful girl from Qatar named Gemma. She was chemically burned on her snout☹️ She will be undergoing medical care soon. She is our first foster, along with having 2 other dogs. I am researching to make sure we are doing our best by her. This article FL was fantastic. We are Gemma’s Journey on Facebook
Hi! We adopted a rescue dog two months ago. She is a rez dog and was found roaming on a road. So sad! Very scared, skinny and blind of one eye. But SO SWEET with humans. I’m just in love with her. The vet says she is around 4 or 5 years old and we don’t know if she was abandoned or if she was just living as a stray at the reservation. She is aggressive with other dogs, especially females. Has separation anxiety and doesn’t like cars trips. Yeah, it’s been challenging. But I won’t give up! She had a hard life and she just needs love. She is getting better every day. Now I can feel she is starting to attach to me. I know is not easy, but I’m sure it worth it! Thanks for the article!
That’s so great Luanna! She is very lucky to have you.
We just rescued our third dog. She has a three-year-old lab. Our other two rescue dogs are six-year-old terrier mix and a 11-year-old beagle Chihuahua mix. So far things are going as expected. The new dog is sweet and we’ve had a few accidents but nothing too crazy. However, our other two dogs are really struggling. There is often a low growl coming from one of our other dogs. The first day we brought the new dog home the only growling we had was at night when the new dog would shake and one of her old dogs would hear her collar rattle. On day three of her being home our oldest dog lunged at our new dog and our new dog pinned her to the ground. No one was hurt and there was no blood. Is this normal behavior? Or is there something we should be doing?
Please read The Best Way to Introduce a Second Dog Into Your Pack. Take a step back and restart the introductions. Your other dogs are unsure if they need to protect their territory. The first day is just a visit, as days pass they may feel more threatened. Especially at 6 and 11 years old, they are set in their ways and bringing in a new dog could throw everything off balanced if not done properly. I hope that article can help. Good luck.
I’ve enjoyed so many articles on this website and I’m hoping you can assist us with our recently adopted rescue dog that we think has separation anxiety. We adopted a 3 year old American bulldog mix from the shelter a few days ago. She was a stray and has been in the shelter only a couple of weeks (and was recovering from both her spay surgery and severe kennel cough during that time), so there is very little information on her past, her temperament, etc. She is a very clingy and affectionate dog, and we’ve been trying to “budget” our affection toward her so that we don’t encourage the clinginess. We had a crate set up for her when she got home and she immediately went in there. We left the door open during the day and she came and went freely the first few days and has slept fine with the crate door closed at night. We take her out on a leash to relieve herself in the backyard, and she definitely seems to be potty trained as she goes on the grass and hasn’t had any accidents inside. (She still has kennel cough pretty badly, so we haven’t been taking her out for walks so as not to infect others.) We were trying to slowly increase our time apart from her since I need to go back to work (about 6 hours) tomorrow. We left for the first time and put her in our insulated garage in a kennel (which we’d introduced her to while we were out in the garage with her and she’d gone in and out of freely). I took her out to go to the bathroom ahead of time, but she defacated and peed while we were gone for 15 mins. It definitely seemed to be stress induced. The next time we decided to try leaving her in her crate since she seems to like it so much. We left for about 20 mins and came home to a dog who had broken out of the crate, definitely been on all the furniture, etc. Since that point, she’s been pretty hesitant to go in her crate. I’ve been treating her in the crate and trying to get her comfortable again, but we’re concerned about trying to adjust her to time alone when her anxiety seems pretty high and we don’t have the time to work up from seconds to minutes to hours, etc. Any recommendations?
Sounds like you are doing everything right. And it does sound like separation anxiety, you should read this: Rescue Dog Separation Anxiety Solutions. Usually I would recommend more exercise to start, but with the recent spay and kennel cough, she needs more rest than activity. Maybe try some mental/training games to wear her out some. Also, make sure you are very calm when leaving her and returning. I have several things you can try that are listed in the Separation anxiety article. I suggest starting there and see if any of that helps. You may need to invest in a heavy-duty crate if she’s an escape artists 🙂 I hope you find something that helps.
Hello! First of all, I’m very glad I found this super helpful website! Thank you for all the detailed answers and great guidance. We adopted a 4-year-old jack russel-papillon mix a week ago. He had been chained in a parking lot all alone by his previous owners. He is a gentle, loving dog, but very reserved and scared of most things. He sleeps a lot, eats very little and doesn’t show interest in treats, toys, training attempts or even simple playtime. He loves cuddling with us, following us around and long walks in the park though.
I read your article about the 3-3-3 rule, so I’ll be patient and give him some time. My question is, when do you think would be the right time to really commit to teaching him the basic cues? He is slowly responding to his name and is completely housebroken, but he seems confused and nervous when I try to get him to sit, stay, etc. So do you recommend that I keep trying a few times every day, or simply let him be for a few weeks or months before trying to give him the basic training? Thanks again for your help!
It makes me so happy to hear that you adopted and my article has helped you so much! I would start basic training as soon as you notice him being comfortable with you. But don’t hold of on setting rules and boundaries. Those should start immediately. Good luck and congrats on your new pup!
I picked up a 4-5 year old pitbull today from the local county animal shelter. Wasn’t expecting to get a dog after my last dog passed away…but “Tonka” melted my heart. He is a gentle giant who was used for breeding and chained up outside his whole life. Im overwhelmed how comfortable and laid back he is, and even gobbled up all his food for his first feeding from me. He is extremely tired and can’t keep his eyes open, but gets up to follow me when i get up. I am extremely blessed to have found him 🙂
I’m picking up a four month old puppy tonight, she is travelling from Crete to the UK. I’m sure she will feel stressed and scared but I have taken everything you’ve said on board and hopefully she will settle quickly????
Awesome, congrats on your new puppy!
Very helpful article! We are planning to bring home a 2 year old Shepard/setter mix this week and while I am very excited, I’m also nervous about introducing and building trust with him around our 3 and 5 year old kiddos. They are used to our very loving and mellow 10 year old labradoodle, also a rescue, and I hope that over time we will be able to feel as comfortable with our new dog in terms of safety around young children.
We plan to keep him gated in our kitchen/mudroom area to start and always supervise their interactions. But i hope that eventually he can fit right in and we can feel safe not always having to supervise beacause that’s just not sustainable long term.
Any tips on keeping these introductions positive and building comfortable and trusting relationships between our rescue dog and small children? We want to keep safety for the dog and the children our highest priority.
Thanks!
HI Brooke, It sounds like you are prepared to do everything right. I have two articles I recommend you read: Dog Body Language/ and Why Do Family Dogs Bite Kids? Teaching your kids how to read your dogs body language so they understand when he wants to be pet and when he wants to be left alone is going to be a huge step in keeping everything positive. I’m sure everything will be great. Just remember to be patient.
Hi Brooke, I have chosen your question to answer on my Friday Facebook Live event at 11am CST! If you’re available, I’d love for you to be there… https://www.facebook.com/rescuedogs101/
Great article! This is my first time adopting a dog. I am getting a dog via home visit from a rescue/foster family on Sunday. What is your opinion on leaving her alone come Tuesday? I work Tuesday through Saturday 8 hour days and I was planning on coming back to walk her on my lunch break (I work less than a mile from my home) I was thinking about crating her for the time I’m not at home just to be on the safe side. Do you think that’s wise? Also, I was even thinking about taking a few days off this next week to spend time with her and help her get adjusted. How do dogs do by themselves? I worry about leaving her alone, but I know that given that I live by myself and have a 40 hour work week that it’s inevitable. Any suggestions?
I would start by getting as much information from the foster family. Has the dog been left along before? And if so, what did they do when they went to work? I don’t see a problem going back to work Tuesday, like you said you have to work… most people do! I absolutely recommend crating her. Until you know how she will react when left home alone, the crate is the safest place for her to be. There are so many resources for you here on my blog, please take the time to read through some of the adoption articles first: https://www.rescuedogs101.com/adopting/. Then for crate training: https://www.rescuedogs101.com/how-crate-train-dog-puppy-3-easy-steps/