Your new dog will be experiencing a big change joining your family – A GREAT one – but BIG. Our 3, 3, 3 timeline will give you a better idea of some of the things your new dog is experiencing. Click here to view our 3-3-3 Rule.
Please remember your adopted dog has recently been through a lot of changes prior to becoming a part of Saving Grace and now your home. They have been in an animal control facility, some have lost their families, and many may have never known family life. Set your dog and yourself up for a successful experience by being prepared and pay attention to their signals, behaviors and needs:
- Dogs who have not had positive experiences in public places and may be overwhelmed, while others thrive on a lot of attention and will enjoy busy outings.
- Some dogs enjoy a lot of physical contact, while others have not had positive human/physical contact and need space to decompress and gain confidence in the kindness of humans.
- Some may need lots of exercise to burn off excess energy, while others need uninterrupted sleep and rest when first leaving the shelter environment.
Each dog is different since he/she has been exposed to different things and will react in different ways. Always put them in comfortable situations. Even though you have a loving home to offer them, you are still a stranger and your home is new and your expectations are unknown to them.
