What I wish I'd known before adopting an adult dog
Bruno was eighteen months old when he came to me and I made every mistake.
I expected him to settle in days. It took about three months before he really relaxed — the books call it a decompression period and they are not exaggerating. I also had visitors round in the first week, which was far too soon and frightened him badly.
What actually helped: a boring routine, the same walk at the same time, one room that was entirely his, and doing much less than I thought I should.
Adult rescues are wonderful. Just go slower than feels natural.
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Three months is exactly right. Everyone expects three days.
'Doing much less than I thought I should' — that's the whole thing.