Free printable

Rescue Dog Decompression Tracker (3-3-3)

A rescue who hides, won’t eat, or paces isn’t broken — they’re on day two of a whole new world. This one-page tracker follows the 3-3-3 guideline: what to expect in the first 3 days, 3 weeks, and 3 months, with a daily log for eating, sleeping, potty, and mood. Built for anyone bringing home an adopted or foster dog.

Rescue Dog Decompression Tracker (3-3-3) — free printable PDF preview
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Fillable PDF · no email · type it or print it Size: US Letter · A4

Genuinely fillable · bilingual EN/ES · vet-sourced — not a scanned template.

What's inside

  • A top strip for your dog’s name and gotcha date
  • Three short checklists — First 3 days, First 3 weeks, First 3 months — of what to expect and do
  • A 10-row daily log: Day/Date, Eating, Sleeping, Potty, Mood, and Wins/worries
  • A tip that 3-3-3 is a guide, not a deadline

How to use it

  1. Print it the day your dog comes home and write in the gotcha date, so the timeline starts from day one.
  2. Each evening, fill one row of the daily log — a few words on eating, sleeping, potty, and mood is enough.
  3. Check off the phase items as they happen, and bring the sheet to your vet or trainer if something worries you.
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Frequently asked questions

What is the 3-3-3 rule?
It’s a rough guideline for adopted dogs: about 3 days feeling overwhelmed, 3 weeks starting to settle, and 3 months beginning to feel at home. It’s a pattern to expect, not a schedule your dog has to hit.
My dog is slower (or faster) than 3-3-3. Is something wrong?
No — every dog moves at their own pace, and the timeline shifts with age, history, and personality. Use the sheet to notice trends over time, and talk to your vet or a trainer about anything that worries you.
How much should I do in the first few days?
Less than you’d think. Keep the world small and quiet, hold off on visitors and big outings, and let your dog rest and decompress. A calm, predictable routine does more early on than exciting new experiences.
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Free educational printable — not veterinary advice, and not a substitute for your vet's official records or an emergency call. Full disclaimer → · Leer en español →