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The 3-3-3 Rule, Behavior, Body Language, & Introductions
Bringing a new pet in your home is an exciting AND stressful time!
Although all situations are different, your new addition will likely take a short period to learn & adjust to the routines & rules.
The 3-3-3 guideline will help break down what you can expect in the first few days, weeks, and months of adoption as your pet decompresses, develops their personality, tests the boundaries, and learns how you operate as a household.
Introductions! Your pets may not fall in love with each other as fast as you fell in love with each of them. 'Just remember that it can take weeks, sometimes months for animals to learn how to peacefully co-exist,' says Liv Hagen, Manager of Shelter Behavior Services at AHS.
You're allowed to get frustrated during this period. It's very likely that you will at least at some point! Step away and take a deep breath when necessary. You can do this!
Check out the resources below for tips on tackling common problem behaviors and tricks for introducing your new pet to the other cats, dogs, & children in your household. Don't forget to keep an eye on body language and always remember SLOW & STEADY! If you didn't find anything helpful on this page, email us at info@jettasmuttsandmeows.org and we will do our best to help or direct you to someone who can!
Make sure to check out our webpage solely dedicated to enrichment!
"Choosing to rescue a dog can be a very rewarding experience. You are giving a dog a second (or maybe a 3rd or 4th!) chance at living in a loving home. Keep in mind the 'Rule of Three' when rescuing a dog. The ‘Rule of Three’ means that you can gauge the time it might take for your dog to fully acclimate to his home in threes: three days, three weeks, and three months."
"There's little evidence to support the common misperception that rescue pets are more likely to have behavioral issues than pets who are bred on purpose. There are many factors that contribute to a pet's behavior including early experiences, training, socialization, nutrition, exercise, and living environment all play a role in how a pet behaves."
"As we all know, cats are insanely territorial beings. Bringing a new cat home can trigger the territorial 'panic switch' in your existing cat, and this often means war. Do yourself and your cats a favor and follow this time tested, step by step recipe to a T: It will give you your best chance for integration."
Even if a dog has had experience with cats and the cat has lived with a dog before ALWAYS proceed cautiously introductions. It’s best to have two people present — one to intervene with each animal if necessary.
"First impressions matter, so it’s important to properly introduce your current dog to a new dog. Properly introduced dogs are more likely to become buddies. But starting them off on the wrong foot could lead to a longer period of letting them acclimate and become comfortable with each other. "
"Children and their pets can share a special bond, and how you introduce them can go a long way in making sure both feel comfortable and safe. By carefully managing your new pet's first introduction and ongoing interactions with your children, you'll be starting their relationship off on the right paw."
"Not only will understanding your own dog’s body language help you keep them happy and comfortable, noticing common stressors and behaviors in other dogs may help you keep your dog out of potentially dangerous situations."
"A cat's body language can be subtle, so it's not always easy to accurately read how they're feeling. To understand your cat's psychology, look at their eyes, tail, mouth and posture and use this guide to help you recognize important body language signals."