Everything You Need to Know About the 3-3-3 Rule
Good things come in threes
What is the 3-3-3 rule?
The 3-3-3 rule is a general guideline that new rescue dog adopters can follow to manage their expectations and gauge how well their new friend is adjusting to their surroundings. The threes represent increasing periods of adjustment time: three days, three weeks and three months, respectively.
The rule advises taking around:
Three days for the dog to decompress.
Three weeks for them to learn routines.
And three months for them to truly settle and feel at home.
While the 3-3-3 rule isn’t an exact science, it is a useful tool for monitoring your dog and giving you some targets, advice and things to look out for at each milestone. It is also helpful for keeping things in perspective and keeps expectations realistic, so that you don’t expect too much too soon. Everyone has to go through this adjustment period and things won’t be perfect from the start, but this guide should alleviate concerns and keep you from getting frustrated if progress seems slow.
The first three days – decompression
In the first three days it is possible that your dog will be:
Anxious around you.
Scared and try to hide under furniture.
Hesitant to eat, drink, play or even go to the bathroom.
Overwhelmed by all the new and unfamiliar stimuli.
What should you do?
Give them their own quiet, comfortable space to rest and relax.
Establish simple boundaries.
Limit exposure to other people and pets.
Encourage them to go outside for a short distance on a leash to relieve themselves.
What shouldn’t you do?
Attempt to force them to open up through situations that distress them.
Punish them for mistakes or not knowing or understanding the rules.
Move their food / water bowls, toys or comforts away from their personal space.
Take them for long walks or trips away from home.
These first three days should be all about making them comfortable – take things slow and be prepared for mishaps and accidents. Don’t take it to heart if they don’t want to be touched, played with or given too much attention. Give them their space and gently ease them into their new surroundings without being forceful or overbearing if they aren’t ready for prolonged interaction.
The first three weeks – learning routines
Over the first three weeks you should start to notice that your dog is:
More comfortable around you and in your home.
Starting to learn routines.
Understanding boundaries.
Showing you more of their personality.
What should you do?
Reward adherence to boundaries, rules and routines with treats, play and praise.
Make sure they know your voice and teach them basic commands.
Start expanding the length and scope of your walks.
Introduce them to trusted friends and family.
What shouldn’t you do?
Expect them to be fully integrated and obedient.
Take them off their leash while introducing them to new places during walks.
Ignore them when they demonstrate positive behaviours.
Leave home for a prolonged period or for long stretches at a time.
During this stage your dog should be more confident in showing their real personality to you. They should also begin to realise that the boundaries and routines you have set are there to provide safety and security for them. Sometimes this confidence can lead to them testing your limits, so be sure to remain steadfast when it comes to establishing expectations by eagerly showering them with positivity when they follow the rules.
The first three months – feeling at home
Within the first three months your dog should:
Know that your home is also their home.
Feel safe and comfortable around you, even when away from their personal space.
Respond to your commands and know when it is time for food, walks and bed.
Understand that they need to go outdoors to use the bathroom.
What should you do?
Keep gradually increasing their exposure to new experiences.
Book a vet check-up and discuss their physical and emotional wellness with your vet.
Continually develop your personal bond with them.
Allow them to be introduced to more people and potentially other animals.
What shouldn’t you do?
Suddenly change their established routines or boundaries.
Become lax with your expectations.
Confuse them by changing how you behave around them.
Assume any wellbeing or behavioural issues are behind them.
By this point your dog should understand that they are a fully-fledged member of the family. It is still important to keep positively reinforcing good behaviour, but you can start to tone it down more and more as it becomes second-nature. They should also be able to go on longer walks away from your home and not get spooked by other people and their pets, though they may still want you nearby when doing this to feel fully comfortable. Have them thoroughly examined by a vet to make sure they are both mentally and physically well moving forwards after this adjustment period.
Conclusion
The 3-3-3 rule provides an excellent set of steps to track your rescue dog’s progress but remember that every dog — and every owner’s environment, circumstances and situation — is unique. Some may easily adapt to each stage and hit later milestones early on, while others need more time and patience. If you’re following the 3-3-3 guide carefully but your dog still isn’t responding, that doesn’t necessarily reflect on you as an owner, so don’t give up. What matters most is consistency, compassion, and understanding. With your love and support, your dog will eventually learn to trust you, thrive in their new life and become an irreplaceable member of your family.