You generally shouldn't completely ignore your dog, as it can harm your bond, but you should aim for a calm, structured greeting, not an over-the-top, exciting one; wait a few minutes to settle down before giving attention, keep your voice and actions low-key, and reward calm behavior to teach them your arrival isn't a chaotic event, which helps reduce separation anxiety and overexcitement, though very anxious dogs might need a more delayed or different approach.
It's the same for your dog. If they're excited to see you, ignoring them can lead to frustration or feelings of rejection. In my experience, it's far better to acknowledge their greeting in a calm and composed way.
The 3-3-3 rule is a roadmap for the first three days, three weeks, and three months after pet adoption. It emphasizes patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement to help pets acclimate to their new environment.
Acknowledging your dog when you get home isn't “wrong.” In fact, it's one of the most loving things you can do. However, if the greeting feels too frenzied, take a moment to pause and look what is going on.
Julie Naismith, whose training plan i'm following says it's perfectly fine to say goodbye as long as you stay within a time the dog can handle. That way it becomes a positive departure cue and gives your dog safety.
An hour for a dog feels much longer than an hour for a human because dogs perceive time more slowly due to their faster metabolism and heightened awareness of routines, so a 10-minute wait can feel like 70 minutes to them, and your hour-long absence feels like an eternity, though they don't grasp clock time but rather the intervals between events like meals, walks, and your return.
5 Ways to Say Sorry to Your Dog
To say "I love you" in dog language, use soft eye contact, raise your eyebrows, give gentle massages (especially ears), lean into them, and engage in play or shared activities like walks, which build trust and affection through shared experiences and physical connection, releasing oxytocin for both of you.
Cobbing in dogs is a gentle nibbling behavior, often with the front teeth, that resembles a person nibbling corn off a cob; it's usually a sign of affection, grooming, play, or a way to seek attention, but can also indicate boredom, anxiety, or stress, often seen in calm moments or as a self-soothing habit from puppyhood. While generally harmless and a form of social bonding or grooming, excessive cobbing might signal underlying issues like boredom, skin problems, or anxiety, requiring attention.
A red flag dog behavior signals deep fear, stress, or potential aggression, going beyond normal misbehavior, and includes intense growling/snapping without cause, sudden aggression in a calm dog, persistent hiding, resource guarding (food aggression), freezing, destructive behavior linked to separation anxiety, or signs of extreme anxiety like trembling, lip-licking, and tail-tucking, indicating underlying problems needing professional intervention.
The most commonly surrendered dog type is the "pit bull type" (including mixes), often due to negative stereotypes, breed-specific legislation, and high energy levels, followed by other popular breeds like German Shepherds, Huskies, and Labrador Retrievers that may not fit owner lifestyles. Breeds like Staffordshire Bull Terriers (especially mixes) also top surrender lists in some regions like Australia.
The seven second rule. Put the back of your hand on the pavement. If you cannot hold it for seven seconds, it is too hot to walk for your dogs. This rule also applies to dogs riding in the bed of a pickup truck.
The time it takes for a dog to adjust to a new home can vary from one dog to another. Normally, it takes 2-3 weeks for a dog to adjust to a new home, but it can take up to 3 months for them to fully adjust behaviourally.
Yes, it is completely normal to feel some degree of "regret" or "remorse" after bringing a puppy home. The most important thing to remember when it comes to talking about puppy blues is that it's completely okay to have these feelings and be frustrated with your puppy at times.
The "10 10 10 rule" for dogs refers to two main concepts: a potty training method for puppies (10 mins outside, 10 ft space, 10 mins supervision/reward) and the 80/10/10 guideline for raw feeding (80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% organ), both offering structure for training or diet. Another interpretation is the 10% rule for treats, limiting them to 10% of daily calories to maintain a balanced diet, ensuring most nutrition comes from complete dog food.
There are many instances when ignoring your dog can help communicate to them that you don't like what they are doing, like the typically unwanted behaviors of barking, pawing, and jumping.
Dogs often nibble or gently mouth as part of their bonding process. It's similar to how puppies nibble on their mother or siblings while they're playing or grooming one another. If your dog nibbles while you're giving them attention, they might be trying to engage with you in a playful, loving way.
The "3-second rule" for dogs has two main meanings: for greetings, it's a short, sniff-and-separate technique (sniff for 3 seconds, then walk away) to keep initial meetings positive, preventing over-arousal or conflict, and for training, it's the maximum time (3 seconds) to give a dog to respond to a command before repeating it or redirecting, ensuring they connect the action to the consequence. It's also used with petting to give dogs choice: pet for 3 seconds, pause, and see if they solicit more attention.
An Expression of Affection and Attachment
At its core, this gesture is often your dog's way of saying "I love you." Dogs crave closeness with their trusted humans, and resting their head on you is akin to a heartfelt hug. It's a non-verbal expression of love, trust, and comfort—a way to be near you without words.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, outlining three phases: 3 Days (decompression, feeling overwhelmed/scared), 3 Weeks (starting to settle in, learning routine, personality emerges), and 3 Months (feeling secure, bonded, and truly at home). It helps new owners manage expectations and be patient as their rescue dog transitions, emphasizing calm energy, routine, and space in the early days to build trust.
How to spot the signs of stress
Dogs say "I love you" through actions like leaning on you, making soft eye contact (releasing oxytocin), following you around, bringing you toys, licking, gentle tail wags, and cuddling, all signs of trust, affection, and bonding that show they feel safe and happy in your presence.
Dogs say "sorry" through submissive body language like tucking their tail, lowering their head, making "puppy eyes," licking, and rolling onto their backs to show they're not a threat, which are appeasement signals to diffuse tension after a conflict or misbehavior, often combined with whining or approaching and retreating. They recognize when their human (or another dog) is upset and use these signs to seek forgiveness, though it's more about reducing stress than human-like guilt.
Coping with Feelings of Remorse Over Your New Pet