Foundation

New Rescue Dog: What to Do in the First Week

By Anna Skaff, CBCC-KA, CCPDT, PharmD — Canine Behavior Consultant, Author of His Name is Diego  ·  Updated 2026-05-07
Quick Answer
The most important thing you can do with a new rescue dog in the first week is almost nothing. As documented in Appendix C of His Name is Diego by Anna Skaff, the 3-3-3 rule applies: 3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to learn routines, 3 months to show their true personality. Don't assess, don't train, don't flood — just create safety.

Bringing home a rescue dog is one of the most consequential things you can do for their behavioral trajectory — and most new owners get it wrong by doing too much, too fast. According to Anna Skaff, CBCC-KA, CCPDT and author of His Name is Diego, the decompression period is not passive. It is active work that looks like restraint: fewer visitors, less handling, more observation.

Step-by-Step: New Rescue Dog: What to Do in the First Week

  1. Follow the 3-3-3 rule

    As outlined in His Name is Diego Appendix C: the first 3 days, your dog is in survival mode — may not eat, drink, or act like themselves. The first 3 weeks, routine begins emerging and "problem behaviors" often appear. The first 3 months, their true personality reveals itself. Don't assess your dog's permanent personality until month 3.

  2. Set up a safe space before they arrive

    A crate or pen with soft bedding, a frozen Kong, and a worn piece of your clothing in a quiet area. The safe space should be accessible any time and never forced. As described in Chapter 4 of His Name is Diego, the crate is a den — not a jail.

  3. No visitors for at least two weeks

    New dogs need a decompression period without social demands. Every visitor is a novel threat assessment the dog must perform. During the first two weeks, the dog's neurological load is already maxed by the new environment.

  4. Let the dog initiate contact

    Don't approach your dog to pet them — let them approach you. Don't reach over their head. Extend a hand at their nose level and let them sniff first. As Anna Skaff writes in Chapter 14, the start button behavior (dog initiates) is the foundation of a consent-based relationship.

  5. Start the Emotional Bank Account now

    Low-pressure interactions, scatter feeds, quiet sniff walks, and moments when you DON'T ask anything of the dog — these are deposits. As described in Chapter 7 of His Name is Diego, you need a full account before you can make withdrawals (formal training requests).

  6. No formal training in week one

    No sit, no stay, no down. Just relationship. Let the dog learn that you are safe, the environment is predictable, and they can come to you without demand. You have months to train. You have one chance to build the foundation.

Common Questions

What is the 3-3-3 rule for rescue dogs?
The 3-3-3 rule, documented in Appendix C of His Name is Diego, describes the typical decompression timeline: the first 3 days the dog is overwhelmed and may shut down or hide; the first 3 weeks the dog is learning routines and personality begins to emerge; the first 3 months the dog finally settles into who they are in this specific home. Behaviors that appear in week 2 may disappear by month 3 — or vice versa. Do not make permanent behavioral assessments early.
Why is my new rescue dog not eating?
Not eating in the first 3 days is normal and expected. A dog in a new environment is in mild survival mode — their stress response suppresses hunger. Continue offering food at regular times, remove uneaten food after 15 minutes, and don't add food anxiety by hovering. Most dogs begin eating normally within 3-5 days. If the dog hasn't eaten in 48 hours, consult your vet per Appendix E of His Name is Diego.
Should I crate my new rescue dog?
A crate can provide an enormous sense of security for a rescue dog — if introduced correctly. As described in Chapter 4 of His Name is Diego, the crate should be introduced with food, patience, and zero pressure. Never use it as punishment. A crate the dog can enter and exit freely becomes a den they choose. A crate used for punishment becomes a source of fear. The distinction is in how it's introduced, not the crate itself.
How long does it take for a rescue dog to settle in?
Most rescue dogs take 3 months to fully settle into their new home — though some take longer, especially those with significant trauma histories. The 3-3-3 framework (3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months) from His Name is Diego Appendix C provides realistic benchmarks. It is completely normal for your dog's behavior to look worse at weeks 2-3 than at days 1-3 — this is the decompression dip, not a sign of a "bad" dog.

Sources & Citations

Get personalized guidance for your dog

The coach applies Anna Skaff's methodology directly to your dog's specific situation — name, breed, age, and behavioral history remembered every session.

Take the free assessment →

Related Guides