The Home That Honey Built Dog Rescue (2024)

FAQs

What is the 333 rule for rescue dogs? ›

The 3-3-3 rule is a guideline for transitioning a rescue dog into its new home and helping it to settle in. It suggests that the first three days should be used for adjusting to its new surroundings, the next three weeks for training and bonding, and the first three months for continued socialization and training.

It can take up to one month for an old dog and new dog to really settle in and accept each other's position in the pack. If you want a second dog, you need to be ready to commit to this process and not panic.

After 3 months,

your dog is now completely comfortable in his home. You have built trust and a true bond with your dog, which gives him a complete sense of security with you.

When it comes to where dog's get their daily calories, we recommend following the 90/10 rule: 90% of calories from a complete and balanced diet, 10% from treats! Treats can be considered the splurge, but more often, the actual act of giving a treat means more to the dog than the actual treat itself.

Literally in two weeks you will see a change in the dog and begin to see its honest and true personality. They will be well behaved and literally shut down themselves these first few weeks. Once the shut down time is over, they relax and the true personality begins to shine through!

Your new rescue dog may benefit from you sleeping nearby on the sofa or a camp bed for the first night or two. This is so you're close to hand should they need letting out for the loo or require some reassurance.

At the end of the day, it really depends on you, but much of the truth about letting most dogs grow used to sleeping with you is also true with rescue dogs. If they get used to something, it will be harder to get them to deviate from the routine.

If the person says a third party must deliver the dog to you, it's a red flag. If you aren't allowed to meet the pup in person before you agree to adopt them, it's a red flag! And if the person with the dog says the animal must be shipped to you and you must pay upfront, it's also a red flag!

First let's talk a little about aging profiles of dogs. Small dogs can live up to 16 years, medium size dogs 10 to 14 years and large dogs, like a Great Dane size, typically live 7 to 8 years. Large breed dogs stay “puppylike” for 24 months or more, compared to the usual 12 to 15 months for medium and small dogs.

A rescue dog will often display certain behavioral cues that indicate he may be recalling some sort of memory from his past. These cues can vary from subtle to more pronounced.

How old is a senior dog? ›

Small dogs are considered senior citizens of the canine community when they reach 11-12 years of age. Their medium-sized friends become seniors at 10 years of age. Their larger-sized colleagues are seniors at 8 years of age. And, finally, their giant-breed counterparts are seniors at 7 years old.

As soon as they try or do nip, calmly say “no” and look away. Removing all of this attention from your dog will show them that a nip means no more love or attention. Try a “three-strike you're out” concept – if your dog nips, you say no, and they do it two more times, calmly get up and walk away from the situation.

The 333 rule (or guideline) is no different. While every dog has their own schedule, the 3-3-3 Rule is a good general guideline as to how long it will take a dog to acclimate to a new home environment.

Eaten from at least 7 different containers • Been held and petted by at least 7 different people • Taken at least 7 one-mile car rides • Been in a crate at least 7 times • Played with at least 7 different kinds of toys • Walked on at least 7 different substrates (grass, gravel, concrete, etc.)