top of page
Ethical Canine Professionals Register
The 3 Stages of Adjustment
Ethical Guidance for Welcoming a Rehomed Dog
Not every dog adjusts on a timeline.
You might have seen the 3-3-3 rule. It suggests dogs need three days to decompress, three weeks to settle, and three months to feel secure. It can be a useful starting point.
But dogs don’t all fit into tidy timelines.
Each one brings their own history, feelings, and pace of adjustment. Some settle quickly. Some take much longer. Both are normal.
The 3 Stages of Adjustment offers a more flexible way of thinking. It focuses on the emotional journey many dogs experience when moving into a new home, and the kind of support that can help them feel safe.
This guide is not about ticking boxes. It’s about learning to notice what the dog needs and meeting them there.
Inside this free download, you’ll find:
-
A clear overview of the 3 stages every rescue dog moves through:
-
Decompression, Adjustment & Exploration, Trust & Integration
-
-
Practical, easy-to-implement guidance for each phase of transition
-
Support for adopter education, pain awareness, rest, nutrition, and behavioural observation
-
A relationship-first alternative to pressure-based or performance-led models
This is not a fixed process. It’s a way of thinking with care and clarity, so the dog’s needs stay at the centre.
Download the guide
If you'd like to explore this approach in more detail, you can get the full guide by entering your email below.
About the author: Jo Middleton
Cognitive-Led Dog Rehabilitation & Behaviour Expert
Director of the International Institute for Canine Ethics (IICE)
Jo specialises in choice-based, science-backed rehabilitation methods that support dogs in rebuilding emotional resilience after rehoming. Her approach is thoughtful and responsive, shaped by what each individual dog needs to feel safe, understood, and respected. Rather than following rigid protocols, Jo works with the dog in front of her, allowing space for natural recovery, trust-building, and meaningful behavioural change.
Through her work, Jo gives dogs the freedom to think, choose, and heal on their own terms. She brings together experience from rescue, behaviour, and education to support both dogs and the humans who care for them. Her focus is always on relationships, helping guardians and professionals to foster calm, collaborative environments where dogs can thrive without pressure or fear.
Who this is for
This resource is free, values-aligned, and lovingly created for rescue organisations, behaviourists, foster carers, and guardians who believe in ethical, evidence-led rehoming practices.
What you’ll receive in your download
• A six-page visual PDF guide
• Real-life emotional indicators and practical examples
• Links to further learning and ethical resources
Dogs aren’t here to fit into our world, they’re here to belong in it, safely.
This guide exists to honour that need, and to help you support it with clarity, care, and compassion.
Let’s meet them where they are, together.
bottom of page