VOTED BEST PET RESCUE IN THE BURG!

​Remember, We Are Always Here For You And Your Dog!

• Email: adopt@olddominionhumanesociety.org

• Messenger: Old Dominion Humane Society on Facebook

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Adjusting to Your New Home: The 3-3-3 Rule

Think of the 3-3-3 rule as your secret decoder ring for making your newly adopted dog's  adjustment so much easier! It is important to understand the world from your dog's point of view! Here's how they see it:

• 3 Days: The "Huh? Where Am I?" Phase: They're basically in shock. Everything's new, smells are weird, and they're wondering if you're a giant, friendly food dispenser. They might be quiet, nervous, or even a little shut down. Don't panic! Just give them space and gentle reassurance.
  3 Weeks: The "Okay, I'm Starting to Get This" Phase: They're starting to figure out the routine, where the food comes from, and who the weird hairless creatures are. They might start showing their personality, but they're still learning the ropes.
  3 Months: The "I'm Home!" Phase: They're finally feeling like they belong! They're comfortable, confident, and ready to be your official snuggle buddy. Each of these phases could take more or less time depending on your dog. They are all different just like we are!

• The 3-3-3 Rule: This helpful article explains the process in more detail: https://www.rescuedogs101.com/bringing-new-dog-home-3-3-3-rule/.

 

Patience is Key

• BE PATIENT! All dogs need time to adjust to their new home; accidents will happen, but this will improve with training.

• Let them explore safely, but set boundaries.

• Establish their crate as a safe space (see "Crate Training"); free reign is not recommended at first—this should be an earned privilege.

• Remember, it can take 6-8 weeks or even more for a dog to fully adjust to their new home and routine.​​​

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Socialization, Exercise,  And Training: You Are The Key To Your Dog's Success

• Engage in regular exercise for both mind and body. Variety is important! Different breeds have different exercise requirements. If behavioral issues arise, ask yourself, "Is my dog getting enough exercise?"

• Find dog playgroups (Facebook is a great resource!). Dogs are pack animals; they need to socialize!

• Explore dog sports as a way to bond with your dog, and to exercise their body and mind.

• Consider doggie daycare or a dog walker to help your dog get more exercise. (Also research dog boarding options so you have a plan in place for your dog to be properly cared for in your absence.)

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Crate Training

• ​It is important to crate your new dog; unfamiliar sounds, smells and a new schedule can be very overwhelming to a dog.

• Frequent Breaks

  • Puppies need frequent breaks and should not be crated for extended periods.

  • A puppy should not spend the entire day in a crate; they need breaks to walk and play. (This is where a dog walker can be very helpful.)

• Introduce The Crate Gradually

  • Encourage them to enter, praise them, and gradually close the door for short periods.

• Make The Crate A Pleasant Place To Be​

  • Feed every meal in crate and give special treats that your dog only gets when in the crate.

  • Place comfortable bedding inside (remove if dog chews and tries to ingest).

  • Tempt dog to enter crate by placing some kibble inside (practice this while you are home multiple times before leaving the dog alone the first time). 

  • Praise dog for willingness to go in crate. 

  • Pick dog up and slowly put inside with door left open. 

  • Give reassurance and petting if dog seems agitated or frightened. 

  • Once in the crate for a few moments, call your dog out to join you. A lot of praise and pets again! Practice again and close the crate door. Make this a game by repeating in short intervals with a treat reward. 

• Address Whining (with repetition the whining and barking will stop)

  • Stay near the crate and offer reassurance (sometimes just having a human close is soothing - especially at night).

  • Are they cold? Consider a safe space heater. Smaller dogs get cold quickly, especially puppies. 

  • Consider covering the crate with a towel (to make it more like a cave).

  • Use white noise or a fan (pointed away from the dog) to help sooth them.

  • Gently tap the door of the crate and say, “No” in a strong, commanding (but not loud) voice.​​

• Benefits Of Crate Training

  • Crate training helps with housebreaking (dogs don't like to soil their den), car travel, and keeps them safe while their family isn't watching.

  • It provides a way to keep your dog separate when company is visiting.

  • Create a safe and comfortable space for your dog.​​​​​​

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Interacting with Other Dogs: Dos and Don'ts

• DO have another person assist you. 

• DO take a deep breath and keep your voice calm. Avoid making introductions into a big deal. 

• DO watch body language. Look for warning signs like stiff posture, side eye, lip curling, and growling. 

• DO take dogs for brief, leashed walk off of your property. Walking together as a pack as often as possible will help dogs form a bond. 

• DO keep momentum moving forward. Allow “butt sniffing” to take place. 

• DO calmly and quickly redirect their attention by keeping the walk moving ahead.

• DO move to the backyard after a brief walk. Keep dogs leashed, but allow them to roam freely.

• DO NOT leave dogs alone unattended. Allow controlled interaction (keep leashes on). 

• DO NOT overwhelm a new dog with multiple dogs at once. Each introduction should be done separately. 

• DO NOT force a dog into another dog’s face (even a cute, little puppy). 

• DO move dogs insides with controlled supervision.​

• DO remove toys and bones for the first few days to prevent trouble with sharing. 

• DO feed separately in crates (see "Crate Training"; crates are a great learning and safety tool). 

• DO crate when you’re not available to supervise. Remember, “It can take a [rescue] dog 6-8 weeks or even more to fully adjust to a new home. Don’t worry if the behavior doesn’t fall into place right away. With love and patience, it will happen” (Dogtime.com).

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Addressing Resource Guarding

• Resource Guarding: This occurs when a dog guards a resource (toy, food, human, other animal, etc.).

  • Examples of resource guarding include:

    • Dog won’t give up toy when a person asks for it or tries to take it. 

    • Dog growls at another dog or person while eating (reminder to feed in crate to avoid this issue),

    • Dog growls, snaps, or barks at another dog when in a person's lap or nearby a person.

• You will want to stop this behavior immediately! A professional trainer can help you correct this behavior.

• Learn more about resource guarding at Whole Dog Journal.

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Puppy Training And Why It Is Required Within 90 Days Of Adoption

• Old Dominion Humane Society takes a proactive stance by requiring puppy training because a significant number of pet owners fail to adequately socialize their pups putting them at risk of developing behavioral problems down the road.

• Puppy classes aren’t just about obedience—they are about exposing your puppy to other people and animals, as well as educating pet owners.

• Properly socialized are less likely to exhibit fear, hyperactivity, chewing, or aggression toward people or other pets. 

• Socialization during the first few months is crucial. Lack of socialization is a leading cause of behavioral issues and surrenders.

• Puppies especially will get into everything; they naturally explore their surroundings by putting objects in their mouths. Training and patience will help them learn boundaries in a positive way.

• Training helps prevent fear of noises and crate training issues. It also promotes positive discipline over punishment-based methods. (Pet owners who don’t attend training classes are more likely to use punishment-based discipline such as yelling versus positive forms of discipline such as redirection.)

• Requirement: If you adopted a puppy, please complete a puppy training course led by a professional trainer (like the ones listed above) within 90 days of adoption and send proof of completion to adopt@olddominionhumanesociety.org. (See the submission form below.)

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Additional Resources

• 14 Tips for First-Time Dog Owners

• Whole Dog Journal: The best in health, wellness, and positive training from America’s leading dog experts.​