Is it a Rule or a Myth? | Vet's Voice

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Join Dr. Em as they cover the 3/3/3 rule memes that are frequently found all over the internet! What should you expect when you add a new dog to your home?
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Please comment suggesting any subject that you would like Dr. Em to cover next and like this video if you learned something today!

[@vicki90272]

Thanks, you made some great points in this video. Of course, each dog is an individual! It helps for owners to understand that there can be a period of adjustment (therefore not to get discouraged), but it doesn't make sense that each one adjusts on the same timeline. My current dog is the first one I brought home as a puppy (12 weeks) and she seemed to feel at home with me right away. I was expecting her to miss her littermates and friends from her previous home, but I saw no sign of that at all. At our first meeting she ran up to me and hugged me, and that was it! 💕 I took her home via 2 car trips and an airplane trip, amazingly she seemed perfectly happy and relaxed the whole time.

[@VetMedCorner]

Absolutely! We need to give them whatever time each individual needs. It's so important. I loved hearing about how your dog adjusted so well - that's fantastic!

[@janhankins911]

Thank you for posting this!! This 3/3/3 myth is really harmful--to both dogs and people. How long it takes a dog to "fit in" and how long it takes to bond depends on so many factors. Working in rescue, I've seen dogs walk into a foster home and behave like they've been there forever (99.9% of those are "foster failures") and I've seen dogs walk into a foster home and take weeks to stop hiding and months to stop acting fearful (quite a few of these are also foster failures, it's so rewarding when the dog finally does settle in and trust you). You'd think dogs coming from "good" situations would be the ones that walk right in like they own the place and those from horrendous conditions would take much longer. Not necessarily. You'd think younger dogs would settle in more quickly than older dogs. Again, not necessarily. There are just so many factors that enter into this and they're all intertwined and connected and you can't really sort them all out. Take things one day at a time, accept your dog for who he or she is, and accept yourself as you are. Don't "expect" anything. Dogs are individuals and I don't know one that's read the book. Set your dog and yourself up for success--don't expect a perfect "time line", don't compare yourself to other dog guardians and don't compare your dog to other dogs.

[@VetMedCorner]

Exactly 💯 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@ambongiorno]

When I went to the local shelter recently to cremate my elderly cat (19 yo died at home), someone was in the parking lot returning a dog they hadn’t even had 24 hrs. They sadly insisted that it was going to be too much work and wouldn’t allow a conversation. At the time the shelter was at capacity. People have unrealistic expectations.

[@VetMedCorner]

Unfortunately, many people 'impulse' buy/adopt animals and it's incredibly upsetting to me 😞

[@Unknown-hu4gf]

Your girls coat sure gleans and glistens in the light! And, yes could watch my pets sleep all day! But, it'd be hard for me not to love on them and wake them up...

[@VetMedCorner]

Every single person who touches her comments on how soft/luxurious her coat is, and I also am in awe at how it looks in real life and in video/photos. I'm so grateful for research based nutrition because I do incredibly little work on her coat and can't take the credit for how it looks 😅 I never touch a sleeping animal as they can be startled and react by biting! They need their sleep! That said, I absolutely agree with you that it's tough not to want to touch them! Getting to snuggle up with my dog and cat in the evenings is something I look forward to alllll day 🥰 animals are the best!!!

[@animallvr4]

We have rescued several dogs and fostered several more and I know that each dog is different. We never know their prior experience or their triggers (if they have them), and sometimes they settle in quicker than other times. Until the dog is comfortable and settled we keep noise and visitors to a bare minimum. We always work with crate training and quiet feeding first, before any other training. Quietly sitting on the floor is always helpful as well. And unless there are health issues, we walk, walk, walk. Please look to adopt, not shop.

[@VetMedCorner]

Thank you for understanding that each one is different and has different needs at different times! That's exactly it! 💯

[@xboxfullauto1000]

At this point, these aren't just memes. A lot of shelters that I have volunteered at hand these out to new adopters as if it is gospel lol.

[@VetMedCorner]

Oooooo nooooo 🫠😥🤯 They absolutely should know better and should give an appropriately nuanced handout.

[@TJ-kz1ul]

Well this is good information that needs to be more commonly known. I would just like to add that when adopting a cat, they fit in the 3-3-3 box even less. In my experience with cats, it can take several years or more, for them to become comfortable in your home. I have two cats. My most recent one was adopted last April and we're still working with her. She's gotten much better, but it takes so much time and patience. My older boy took at least 2 years and now he's a biscuit-making love bug =)

[@VetMedCorner]

Absolutely! I haven't come across people trying to apply this 3 3 3 nonsense to cats, but I'm so glad that you brought up how it doesn't apply to them either! Patience and meeting cats where they are at is absolutely *crucial* I currently have a cat who doesn't really like to snuggle, and in the past have had super snuggly cats. They are absolutely individuals with their own unique needs and personalities! 😻

[@TJ-kz1ul]

@@VetMedCorner I really appreciate how empathetic you are to animals!! It's nice to find a kindred spirit who understand this!!

[@VetMedCorner]

It's one of my goals with VMC. I really want people to understand the animals they bring into their homes better. Both from a medical and a behavioral point of view. When that education occurs, both the humans and the animals will have better lives, which is my goal! It gives me such hope and joy to find people like you who 'get it'. Your animals are lucky to have you caring for them 💜

[@qudsiahkhan7261]

Thank you for bringing this up. I see this in Cat rescue shelters and Facebook groups advertised by “experts” all the time and set unrealistic expectations.

[@SimoS.]

I needed to hear this, thank you! Struggling with a sweet new foster who is giving no signs of “decompressing” two weeks in. Perfect timing. Love your content and presentation!

[@VetMedCorner]

I'm so glad you found it helpful - that makes my day 😊 I hope the links in the description can help you to find a trainer/veterinary behaviorist to help you support the foster as best as is possible.

[@animallvr4]

We have found that with our fosters taking them out for walks sometimes a couple of times a day is a very good bonding experience for both of you. Good luck!

[@VetMedCorner]

Sometimes that can be helpful, but other times that can be harmful if the animal is afraid of the harness/leash/outdoors/etc We don't want to share advice when we don't know the specifics of what's going on. That's why a skilled behavior modification expert needs to work with them to make a plan that addresses the specific needs of their specific animal

[@animallvr4]

@@VetMedCorner I would never do this if the dog was afraid of the harness or leash, that definietly is a process that needs to be worked towards! :)

[@VetMedCorner]

Exactly! That's why making comments with specific recommendations when we don't know the entire situation is inappropriate. What's much better is to recommend that people start working with someone who has the skills and ability to help the individual dog after a proper assessment of the situation.

[@alizealicia]

Valuable video as always, thank you Dr. Em!

[@VetMedCorner]

I'm so glad ☺️ I experience so much second guessing of myself about whether or not the topic will be helpful for people, so getting feedback like this means the world. Thank you!

[@judithb4202]

Excellent video! Love hearing your “pet peeves”

[@VetMedCorner]

I've got a fair number 😅 so I'm glad they are enjoyable to listen to! Thank you!

[@nazzkid23]

fab video as usual Dr. Em 😁❤

[@VetMedCorner]

I'm so glad you liked it! Thank you - your comment made my day!

[@ambongiorno]

Topic request. Are muzzles punitive? How to acclimate and when to use. Thank you!

[@VetMedCorner]

Thank you so much for the recommendation, I've put it on my list of future video topics! 💪

[@vicki90272]

@@VetMedCorner something to touch on re muzzles is their use for dogs who are scavengers out on walks. I used a lightweight plastic mesh muzzle for my dog for months (maybe a year total) when she was young - this after she had 4-5 ER visits from eating random things on walks and my dear friend (who is a vet) insisted she should wear one for her safety. As she grew into adulthood she didn't need it any more. I did get some questions from people asking if she was aggressive which was not the case at all.

[@fluerii4201]

Can you do a review of " the dog daddy" training methods ....please ❤

[@VetMedCorner]

You're in luck, I have one! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWXUaahjqdKlbtEsi=LzNtDwcSboABHFXJ Don't hesitate to ask if you have anything else you'd like me to cover! ☺️

[@Sue-Roxy]

Isn't this 3 day, 3 week, 3 Month Rule for people who have just rescued a poundie, a Shelter dog as its called in America?? The 3 day, 3 week, 3 month rules isnt for 9-12 week old puppies who haven't ever had a home. The 3 day, 3 week, 3 month rules are for rescued dogs who had a home once, they had a bed, a routine, or some rescued dogs had a shitty life & are better off when they get into rescue, BUT when they're taken too a pound/shelter & dumped, these dogs whole life changes, everything they have ever known has just disappeared, its gone, & some dogs shut down, so this 3 day, 3 week, 3 month rules gives the new foster carers or new dog owner an idea, just be prepared, dont expect this rescue dog to be like your last dog who was in a routine, knew all the rules, can walk nicely on a lead, some rescue dogs have never been walked & worn a harness & lead... These rescue dogs come from over crowded pounds, stay in a very small cage, this dog probably wasnt even walked daily, or seen the sun shine, these rescue dogs are surrounded by very loud noises, banging doors, barking, howling, crying 24/7, some dogs shut down & are in survival mode they're just coping, the 3 x 3 x3 rules gives the new rescue dog owner an idea your new rescue dog needs time to adapt to you, your home & family, this rescue dog will start to come out of their shell in time & new owner needs "PATIENCE". The 3 x 3 x 3 rules came out after people were returning these poor rescue dog after Covid there were alot of "Covid dogs" we call them in Australia, they were born 2020 to 2022 & were use to their owners being home all day with them 24/7, then all of a sudden their owners went back to work, some suffered with separation anxieties, some are very anxious very scared & some owners gave up on their dogs & took their dogs to their pound, then some people rescued these Covid Dogs then they return them back to rescue groups or Pounds, they were probably told the dog is a Covid dog he/she suffers with separation anxieties etc etc but they still adopted the rescue dog knowing that they have problems & then they lie & return the poor dog & say "Oh he bite my child, I cant have that in my home etc etc" New owners need to be more honest & say "I expected a miracle, I wanted a perfect, trained adult dog & I didnt want to put the time & effect into this rescued dog myself". Rescue groups get so many returns, so the 3 x 3 x 3 rules came out to show people, it takes time, effect & heaps of Patients when you get any dog, & some rescues they need a bit extra time, training & help, they still get there its just a bit harder for some dogs.... Its awful visiting a pound so imagine living in a pound for 1+ years. The rewards you get from rescuing an adult dog is so rewarding, when you see them learn something for the 1st time, doing things you do daily that they have never experienced before breaks your heart & makes you cry & this is when you realise how beautiful it is too rescue a Poundie.. Save a Rescue/Poundie & dont buy from a Back Yard Breeders, BYB need to get jobs, instead of using their poor female dog to make money... 😺❤🐕‍🦺

[@VetMedCorner]

Did you actually watch the video? The 3 3 3 doesn't apply to any dog. From any situation. Ever.

[@Sue-Roxy]

@@VetMedCorner Well in Australia 3 3 3 Rule is heavily used in Rescue ever at the RSPCA big sign when adopting a rescue dog, thats when I first seen it. The 3 3 3 Rule was brought out after Covid setled down, people were adopting or Fostering un wanted Covid dogs some were troubled dogs then the next day or week the new owner or foster carers were ringing up wanting to give the dog back... then the 3 3 3 Rule was plastered all over Rescue groups FB page & when you adopt a new rescue dog its in teh paper work, so you understand what you're getting yourself into & you give that rescue dog a chance, its learning, everything is new to this dog, or it mighten be new, rescue dog might have come for a really good home & the owner died?? Even when you adopt its on adoption paper work in Australia to make sure people understand this dog needs time to adapted to new home. When rescue pulls a dog from a pound because it has a foster home then that person takes the new rescue them within 1 day maybe 3 or 10 days later they ring back & say, "Oh this dog is howling when I leave for work, weeing on floor etc etc" that they did not want the rescued dog & the rescue has to quickly find poor dog another carer. This is what the 3 3 3 Rule was intended for.