Bringing a rescue dog home is exciting, but the first seven days can also leave new adopters wondering if they made the right decision. A dog who seemed calm at the shelter may suddenly behave very differently once introduced to a new home, new people, new routines, and new expectations.
In this episode of Rescue Tales, Robert Forto and Robin Lucas of Rebel Rescue South Korea break down what happens during a rescue dog’s first week at home. They discuss decompression during the first 24 hours, establishing routines during days two through four, and beginning to build structure and consistency as the dog approaches the end of the first week.
They also tackle several common mistakes, including giving a new dog too much freedom, overwhelming them with people, changing the rules because you feel sorry for them, and spending every minute with the dog during the first week before suddenly returning to work. The goal isn’t to discover exactly who your rescue dog is in seven days. It’s to create a predictable environment where that dog has the opportunity to settle in safely.
