Honeymoon Period - The First 3 Weeks The Dog Is Home
A critical period which will set the tone and foundation of your future relationship
Friends of the Dog
A critical period which will set the tone and foundation of your future relationship
Friends of the Dog
1. General
Offering a home to an adult shelter dog is one of the most compassionate and impactful things a person can do. Not only do you gain a wonderful new companion, but you also remove a dog from an extremely stressful environment—potentially saving its life. We have the deepest admiration for those who choose this path. Thank you!
When adopting a puppy, we typically start with a clean slate. Through proper interaction, socialization, and training, we shape the dog’s future behavior. While genetics and personality certainly play a role, a well-raised pup usually grows into a well-balanced adult—provided we do our part correctly.
Adopting an adolescent or adult shelter dog, however, can be a different story. Some dogs end up in shelters due to their owners’ circumstances—relocation, illness, or even death. These dogs may have been loved and well-mannered. But that’s not always the case.
Many dogs are surrendered due to behavioral issues. What’s particularly heartbreaking is that most of these problems could have been resolved with a better understanding of canine needs and behaviour. Often, it comes down to a lack of mental, physical, and social stimulation, and the absence of basic training or “Paw Manners.” Things might go smoothly until adolescence—when behaviors change—leading to frustration and, too often, abandonment. It’s no coincidence that a large number of dogs are surrendered between 6–18 months of age.
Even if the dog was once a model family member, the stress of shelter life followed by a move to a new home can be overwhelming. Transitioning to a new environment is difficult, and it’s up to us to make that adjustment as smooth as possible.
While shelter staff and volunteers do their best to provide love and care, they can never replicate the attention, consistency, and comfort of a real home. As a result, many shelter dogs become attention-seeking. This can lead to clinginess, difficulty adjusting to other pets, or even separation anxiety if not handled properly from the start.
Overexcitement and difficulty calming down are also common in newly adopted dogs. This is normal, but it makes it even more important to establish boundaries—what we call Home Rules—from the moment the dog enters your home.
2. The Honeymoon Period
In our experience working with shelter and adopted dogs, the first few weeks in a new home often feel like a honeymoon period—or what we sometimes call the twilight period. For about three weeks (sometimes longer, up to six months), many newly adopted dogs appear calm and well-behaved. Any behavioral issues that led to their surrender may seem to have vanished, or are only exhibited at low intensity
However, once the dog starts to feel more secure, its true personality—and potentially problematic behaviors—can begin to surface again. This is when new challenges may arise, and it’s important to be prepared.
Just as we maximize a puppy’s critical socialization window in the first 16 weeks of life, we should treat the first three weeks with a newly adopted dog with the same level of importance. This is your chance to gently lay the foundation for the dog’s behavior, routines, and place in your family.
And remember: the work doesn’t stop after three weeks. Continued reinforcement of training, mental and physical enrichment, and consistency are key to helping your dog thrive. The effort is well worth it—after all, this new family member may be with you for the next 13 years or more.
Keep in mind that your dog comes with past experiences—some of them unpleasant—and may have developed coping behaviors in response. Understanding this helps you respond with empathy and patience during the adjustment period.
3. Some Do's and Don'ts✅ Do:
❌ Don’t:
Good luck—and thank you again for giving a shelter dog a second chance. With time, patience, and consistency, you’re laying the foundation for a lifetime of companionship. You truly are a gift to your new fur friend.
Offering a home to an adult shelter dog is one of the most compassionate and impactful things a person can do. Not only do you gain a wonderful new companion, but you also remove a dog from an extremely stressful environment—potentially saving its life. We have the deepest admiration for those who choose this path. Thank you!
When adopting a puppy, we typically start with a clean slate. Through proper interaction, socialization, and training, we shape the dog’s future behavior. While genetics and personality certainly play a role, a well-raised pup usually grows into a well-balanced adult—provided we do our part correctly.
Adopting an adolescent or adult shelter dog, however, can be a different story. Some dogs end up in shelters due to their owners’ circumstances—relocation, illness, or even death. These dogs may have been loved and well-mannered. But that’s not always the case.
Many dogs are surrendered due to behavioral issues. What’s particularly heartbreaking is that most of these problems could have been resolved with a better understanding of canine needs and behaviour. Often, it comes down to a lack of mental, physical, and social stimulation, and the absence of basic training or “Paw Manners.” Things might go smoothly until adolescence—when behaviors change—leading to frustration and, too often, abandonment. It’s no coincidence that a large number of dogs are surrendered between 6–18 months of age.
Even if the dog was once a model family member, the stress of shelter life followed by a move to a new home can be overwhelming. Transitioning to a new environment is difficult, and it’s up to us to make that adjustment as smooth as possible.
While shelter staff and volunteers do their best to provide love and care, they can never replicate the attention, consistency, and comfort of a real home. As a result, many shelter dogs become attention-seeking. This can lead to clinginess, difficulty adjusting to other pets, or even separation anxiety if not handled properly from the start.
Overexcitement and difficulty calming down are also common in newly adopted dogs. This is normal, but it makes it even more important to establish boundaries—what we call Home Rules—from the moment the dog enters your home.
2. The Honeymoon Period
In our experience working with shelter and adopted dogs, the first few weeks in a new home often feel like a honeymoon period—or what we sometimes call the twilight period. For about three weeks (sometimes longer, up to six months), many newly adopted dogs appear calm and well-behaved. Any behavioral issues that led to their surrender may seem to have vanished, or are only exhibited at low intensity
However, once the dog starts to feel more secure, its true personality—and potentially problematic behaviors—can begin to surface again. This is when new challenges may arise, and it’s important to be prepared.
Just as we maximize a puppy’s critical socialization window in the first 16 weeks of life, we should treat the first three weeks with a newly adopted dog with the same level of importance. This is your chance to gently lay the foundation for the dog’s behavior, routines, and place in your family.
And remember: the work doesn’t stop after three weeks. Continued reinforcement of training, mental and physical enrichment, and consistency are key to helping your dog thrive. The effort is well worth it—after all, this new family member may be with you for the next 13 years or more.
Keep in mind that your dog comes with past experiences—some of them unpleasant—and may have developed coping behaviors in response. Understanding this helps you respond with empathy and patience during the adjustment period.
3. Some Do's and Don'ts✅ Do:
- Check for comfort with collars and harnesses. If your dog is nervous, take time to desensitize them. (Here’s a tip: guides for puppies work just as well for older dogs.)
- Transition food gradually. Try to continue the shelter’s feeding schedule and diet for the first week or two. If switching foods, do so slowly—one tablespoon at a time for medium/large breeds (one teaspoon for small breeds), waiting 24 hours between changes. Consult your vet if any digestive issues arise.
- Maintain your usual routines. As tempting as it is to spend every moment with your new dog, resist the urge. Avoid setting a pattern where the dog expects constant companionship—this can lead to separation anxiety once you return to work or regular life.
- Provide chew toys like Kongs or Busy Buddies. Your dog may need guidance on how to use them, especially if they’ve never had such toys before. There are plenty of online resources showing how to stuff and introduce these tools.
- Balance attention if you have other dogs. Feed them separately (preferably behind closed doors), and always give attention to your resident dog first. This helps avoid resource guarding and preserves the established hierarchy until the dogs settle in together.
- Set expectations from day one. Use calm, consistent cues—no shouting or punishment. A simple “uh-uh” followed by redirecting to desired behavior is enough early on.
- Introduce basic cues once your dog has settled. Give them a few days to decompress before formal training begins.
❌ Don’t:
- Don’t pity your dog. Even if their past was difficult, the focus now should be on the present—they’re in a loving home with a fresh start. Avoid clinging to sadness, which can create an unbalanced dynamic.
- Don’t shower them with too much attention at once. Go slowly. Too much affection can overwhelm a dog still adjusting to new surroundings.
- Don’t bombard them with activity. Give your dog time to explore your home at their own pace. Offer food and water, place a comfortable blanket or crate nearby, and let them settle in without pressure. If your going to make use of a crate, avoid crate training in the first day or two unless they’re already comfortable with crates.
- Don’t rush walks. Wait a few days before introducing walks. The outside world is full of new stimuli—help them adjust indoors first, then explore one area at a time.
- Don’t ignore troubling behavior. If something concerns you, get help early—problems are much easier to address when caught early.
Good luck—and thank you again for giving a shelter dog a second chance. With time, patience, and consistency, you’re laying the foundation for a lifetime of companionship. You truly are a gift to your new fur friend.
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