• Sep 19, 2026
    New adopters often panic when a rescue dog's behavior changes after bringing them home—thinking the dog is sudden "regressing" or acting out

     

                    Rescue dogs go through three distinct phases of                                                 psychological adjustment.

    • Content Outline:

      • First 3 Days (Decompression): The dog feels overwhelmed, scared, and shuts down. Expect low appetite, hiding, or testiness. Focus purely on rest and routine—not showing them off to friends.

      • First 3 Weeks (Settling In): The dog realizes this might be permanent. Their true personality (and testing of boundaries) begins to show. Start establishing consistent house rules and predictable feeding schedules.

      • First 3 Months (Building Trust): The dog feels completely secure and bonded to your household. Deep emotional attachment forms, and true behavior issues (if any) can now be accurately addressed through positive reinforcement.

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