Three Days, Three Weeks, Three Months:
Why 3x3x3 Is Your Best Plan for Adoption Success
Even the most resilient, best natured dogs need time to adjust to a new home. That’s why animal experts recommend the 3x3x3 rule. 3x3x3 refers to the time it takes for dogs and their people to adjust to their new lives together, with an emphasis on what to expect at the crucial stages of three days, three weeks and three months.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what that looks like over the 3x3x3 adjustment period:
Three Days: Dogs need a safe, quiet space in your home to decompress. They may be overwhelmed or anxious, so it’s ideal if you can bring your dog home over the weekend or another time you can be present for the first 48 hours.
Three Weeks: Dogs may begin to understand they’ve arrived at their forever home, but they may also be somewhat insecure. This is a good time to reinforce boundaries while remaining gentle and patient with accidents and testing behaviors.
Three months: You and your dog may have fallen in love— or maybe your life together is still a work-in-progress. Keep working on routines and bonding with love, patience and a sense of humor. Don’t hesitate to ask for expert help.
Samantha Orr, Vetting Director at Angels Among Us Pet Rescue, says that it’s vital to understand that adoption is not an overnight endeavor. Following the 3x3x3 rule gives dogs (and cats!) time to get used to their new environment and people. She emphasizes the importance of providing a peaceful, low-traffic area for decompression: “Give them a quiet area with a dog bed or a crate. Even an outgoing dog that seeks out company needs a quiet space for down time.”
Let’s look at the three stages of the 3x3x3 plan in more depth:
Three Days of Decompression
Time and space to decompress is the top priority when you bring your pet home. Your dog may be overwhelmed and bewildered by the new people and environment, afraid to show his true nature. While some dogs will be playful and receptive to attention, others may be fearful and reluctant to go outside or even to eat. Orr says that’s why providing a safe, quiet space in your home for decompression is so critical to getting through the first three days. “They are in a new environment and you want them to adjust to your house and routine. A safe space — whether a crate, pen, or a dog bed in a quiet room— helps them acclimate to the new people, sounds and smells of your home.”
Orr also says that it’s best to schedule adoption over the weekend or whenever you can be home with your new dog most of the time for 48 hours straight. You don’t need to hover — in fact, it’s better to give your dogs free access to their safe space— but knowing that a supportive human is on the premises helps dogs accept they are in a trustworthy environment. Another advantage of spending time with your pet is that you’ll gain insight into your dog’s tendencies, whether good or not-so-good. Orr explains: “You don’t know how dogs will react in different circumstances and that’s important to find out, for safety. Do they want to chew electrical wires or get into the garbage? Having a space like a crate, a pen or a quiet pet-proofed room means that your dog is safe when you do leave him alone.”
Orr and other animal experts also counsel owners to limit visitors during the early days. And it’s a very good idea to keep a new dog on a short leash at all times inside, in case the dog panics or acts out. If, for example, a dog attempts to bolt, you can restrain a dog using the leash rather than grabbing his or her body, which may provoke fear aggression. She says: “If you grab the actual dog, it may be startled and bite.” Even a very gentle dog can panic and snap when under duress. That’s why the leash is very useful, well beyond the first three days.
Three Weeks of Connection
After three weeks, your dog is probably letting her guard down, recognizing routines and feeling more comfortable with you and your home. This is a stage where your dog’s true personality may emerge. At this point, dogs often test boundaries or trot out some less than desirable behaviors. This is normal and doesn’t mean you have a problem dog. Reinforce routines, but don’t be rigid or punitive when setting boundaries. Focus on understanding what works best for your dog rather than fixating on an approach that will backfire. Orr says: “You may need to mold your approach around your pet’s needs. Do they do better with a crate in a quiet room, or should the crate be somewhere your pet can see you? Do they prefer a soft bed, or a hard one?” Experiment and be realistic about what will work best for your dog rather than insisting on expectations that aren’t realistic for your dog.
As the weeks pass, it’s crucial to remain cautious with visitors — especially children. Using the short leash can still help you keep your dog (and visitors) safe in all kinds of circumstances, inside as well as outdoors. Your dog’s safe space is likewise crucial to keeping pets and people safe.
Three Months and Counting
As the months pass, many people say they can hardly remember what life was like before their beloved dog joined the household. Your dog has probably come to believe that you’re his family, and your home is his home. That doesn’t mean there won’t be accidents or testing behaviors, but hopefully you have established a foundation of routine, goodwill and companionship that will flourish in the coming years. Sticking to routines is crucial for cultivating your dog’s trust in you, but it’s still important to remain patient and optimistic— even when your dog acts out.
Keep in mind that dogs who survived abuse or abandonment may need more than three months to feel secure and acclimate to your home and routines. And just like human beings, some dogs are more sensitive, mischievous or rebellious than others. Focus on positive qualities and what works best for them as well as for you. Don’t give up on the power of routines, rewards and love. Maintaining a consistent safe space— whether crate, pen or quiet corner— is ideal for your dog’s entire life. The short leash is still your friend. Caution with visitors and especially children is another lifelong commitment.
If you feel that you and your new pet are struggling beyond the normal ups and downs, seek help. You don’t have to wait for three months to reach out. Ask your veterinarian to put you in touch with a trainer or behaviorist. Most rescues also offer support (Angels Among Us Pet Rescue is 100% committed on this point). Even for the happiest of pet families, adoption is not an overnight success story. Some dogs (and humans) need a little more time to get in the groove.
Patience is a lifelong commitment. A sense of humor helps, too! But if you come to the conclusion that you and your dog are not the right match, get help from the animal experts in your support system. Says Samantha Orr of Angels Among Us Pet Rescue: “Please contact us if you need help, especially if you are concerned that you and your dog are not a good match. There is no shame.” What is tragic and inhumane, Orr says, is when pets are abandoned at vets, shelters or out in the wild. That’s why Angels Among Us is completely committed to serving as a safety net for all its rescue cats and dogs.
By Evelyn Walsh, Angels Among Us Pet Rescue Volunteer