For my inquiry question, I am researching bonds with pets. My third round of research is on how long it takes to bond with pets. I added this question to my research because not everyone bonds with their pets fast. In my opinion, pets are easy and quick to bond with. But I was looking through the BC SPCA website, and the reasonings for some pets left at the shelter were that people did not have a bond with pets or just thought that their pets did not match them. I will be mostly talking about dogs as they are general and common pets.
There is a “3-3-3 rule” that is frequently mentioned for dogs moving into new homes: three days of adjustment, three weeks of settling in, and three months of feeling safe, connected, and able to “be themselves.” Although there is some truth to the general notion that a dog needs time and space to become comfortable, it is impossible to predict when a puppy will truly feel like a member of the family. (1)
Three Days: The first changeover. Many dogs, especially puppies, find this to be shocking as they have just left what was often their sole home and are without the constant company of their mother or littermates. Dogs that are acquired from shelters or rescues require some time to adjust to these frequently demanding situations. In most cases, the first few days in a new house will be marked by a more cautious exploration of new areas or shutdown behaviour. Some dogs, meanwhile, react differently to stress and may find it difficult to settle down. (2)
Three Weeks: In between changes. Most dogs are settling into their new routine and exhibiting typical behaviour and disposition by three weeks after moving into their new home. A dog that was wary and reserved at first might begin to open to you, displaying certain training difficulties that you were unaware of in the early going. Other dogs may “chill out” as they continue to follow house rules and become used to a normal and predictable environment. (2)
The transition ends after three months. A dog is usually considered adapted to their new environment and routine three months after coming into your home. (2)
It could take your dog a few days or even weeks to adjust to your home and feel at ease, depending on their genetics, past, and natural temperament. While pups may go through this process fast because they don’t have a history of bad encounters, dogs who have been rehomed several times may require more time. It’s crucial to exercise patience and limit how much you ask of your dog at this period. (2)
Puppyhood begins with the onset of emotion at the beginning of the second month of life. Additionally, they begin to develop relationships with humans at 6–8 weeks of age. They may now leave their mother behind and head to their new residence. This is the moment to actively participate in your puppy’s growth and development! By giving your puppy a safe, secure, and encouraging environment, you can help them bond with you and your family. Additionally, it’s time to begin acclimating them to dogs and other people. (3)
Bonding with your new puppy could seem effortless if he is a puppy, particularly if he is about two months old. Puppies at this age are usually quite ready to part from the comforts of their moms and siblings, but they are also able to accept people as “pack leaders” and companions with ease. Young puppies can attach strongly to you before you even realize it. (4)
Puppies will form bonds with humans more quickly than older dogs since they have less experience and attachments to other people and locations. The website states that the first three to twelve weeks are the best times for bonding. Consider how young chickens follow the first moving object they come across, believing it to be their mother. The puppy will not need to “de-attach” its former pet parent and form an attachment to its new owner if it has never had one. Due to the puppy’s complete reliance on you, the bonding process may only take a few days. (5)
Thank you for reading.
Ressources:
1.https://www.thefarmersdog.com/digest/how-to-bond-with-your-dog/#:~:text=Many%20sources%20cite%20a%20%E2%80%9C3,long%20it%27ll%20take%20for
2. https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/new-dog-adjustment-period
3.https://www.rover.com/blog/puppys-emotional-development-everything-need-know/
4.https://pets.thenest.com/long-dog-attach-its-new-owner-11719.html#google_vignette
5.https://www.cuteness.com/blog/content/how-long-before-a-dog-bonds-with-a-new-owner
