Isabel Klee (@simonsits) has gained a massive social media following for her journey as a dog foster parent. Klee brings in foster dogs, often with a history of trauma, and helps them learn to feel safe and confident, rehabilitating them to trust humans and other dogs so they can be ready for adoption. From a timid dog named Tiki to a sensitive pup named Whimsy, Klee has helped countless doggies.
A fierce animal wellness advocate, Klee also shares training and adoption information with her followers to help make adoption and fostering smoother for everyone involved. One important tip Klee shared is the “3-3-3 rule.” It’s absolutely essential to keep in mind when bringing home an adopted dog for the first time.
“The 3-3-3 rule refers to the amount of time it takes a dog to decompress after you take them home for the first time,” Klee explained in a TikTok. “And that is three days, three weeks and three months.”
Klee went on to discuss how people sometimes return a dog to the shelter quickly after adoption because the dog’s personality did not match what they had imagined. However, this is where the 3-3-3 rule really comes into play. It will help guide expectations and make the process so much easier.
The First Three Days
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“This will obviously differ for every single dog, but typically the first three days are when your dog will be the most shut down, which means they might not be eating, they might not be drinking, they could be having diarrhea, accidents in the house. Or, on the flip side, they could still have all this pent-up energy from being in a shelter and kind of be bouncing off the walls and just, like, totally crazy. So, your dog might also be testing boundaries during this time,” Klee stated.
Related: Shelter Hound Dog Is Ready to Revolt at Snack Time in Hilarious Video
The First Three Weeks
Klee then goes on to explain what to expect after the first three weeks. Typically, this involves establishing a routine with your new pup, and your dog will start to realize that they’re at home for the long haul.
“They’ll start getting a little more comfortable, maybe you’ll start noticing some behavioral issues like counter surfing or destroying your shoes,” Klee said.
The First Three Months
Finally, after the first three months, Klee said to expect that this is when your dog will feel truly comfortable in your home. “This is also when your dog will start to form a long-term bond with you. They will start to trust you, and they will feel truly happy.”
Klee emphasized that the 3-3-3 rule is different for every dog, but this is generally a formula you can use during your initial period together.
“This is why I encourage people to give it time and not throw in the towel just because it’s hard in the first three months.”
Related: Precious Pit Bull Shutting Down From Too Much Time in the Shelter Is So Sad
This story was originally reported by PetHelpful on Nov 16, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.