In the first 3 days
• Feeling overwhelmed
• May be scared and unsure of what is going on
• Not comfortable enough to be “himself”
• May not want to eat or drink
• Shut down and want to curl up in his crate or hide under
a table
• Testing the boundaries
After 3 weeks
• Starting to settle in
• Feeling more comfortable
• Realizing this could possibly be his forever home
• Figured out his environment
• Getting into a routine
• Lets his guard down and may start showing his true personality
• Behavior issues may start showing up
After 3 months
• 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
Source: Rescue Dogs 101