Common estimates of the time a dog needs to adapt to a new home after adoption — often referred to as “decompression” — range from four to six weeks up to three months. However, prior studies reveal that about 14% of adopted dogs are returned within six months, with this risk remaining elevated for the first year and finally decreasing after two years post-adoption. Thus, it appears that the perceived adjustment period takes longer than commonly predicted.

This study examined the experiences of adopters as their dog adjusted to their new environment, new guardians, and new routines. To gain these insights, the authors interviewed 27 dog guardians recruited between February and March 2023 via social media ads. To participate, guardians had to be over 18 years of age, a resident of the U.K., and have adopted a dog from either a U.K.-based or an international shelter or rescue organization within the last two years. They also had to have lived with their dog for at least three months prior to the study.

The online, semi-structured interviews consisted of 17 key questions, with the option to follow up on participants’ responses. Transcripts of the recordings were used for thematic content analysis.

From the analysis, the authors identified a range of behaviors that guardians observed during the adjustment phase, as well as the key behaviors that guardians perceived as indicating their dogs had adjusted. Factors that may have influenced dogs’ adjustment and changes to guardians’ routines and their concerns about adoption were also highlighted.

Time Required For Adjustment

Most participants (41%) felt that their dog managed to adjust within four to six months, while 30% observed adjustment within three months.

However, some participants felt that it took a little longer, with 11% saying more than seven months and 19% feeling as though their dog had still not adjusted — even up to 16 months post-adoption.

Behaviors Observed During Adjustment

Participants observed a variety of behaviors as their dogs settled in. These included:

• Social contact (63%): Some dogs sought a lot of contact from their new guardian, while others were more withdrawn.
• Fear (63%): Many dogs exhibited fearful behavior towards things like traffic, people, or other dogs.
• Rest and sleeping (56%): High levels of rest and sleep were observed in some dogs, while others were especially restless.
• Overreaction to social and environmental stimuli (30%): A number of dogs were reactive to things like people, other dogs, and noise in general.
• House-soiling (26%): Some dogs had accidents in the house following adoption, and a few needed more house-training.
• Separation-related behaviors (26%): Separation anxiety was seen in some dogs, and for a few, it was severe.
• Appetite changes (22%): While a few dogs were disinterested in food, some seemed to have “boundless” appetites.
• Aggression (22%): A few dogs displayed aggression towards people, including other members of the household.
• Anxiety (19%): The few dogs with anxiety were described as trembling, hiding, or barking excessively.
• Presence and absence of exploratory behavior (19%): Dogs ranged from ignoring their surroundings to being hypervigilant.
• Mouthy or inappropriate play behavior (19%): While a number of dogs showed high levels of excitability shortly after adoption, a few continued to be mouthy as time went on.
• Running away (15%): A few dogs initially tried to escape when they were first brought home.
• Resource guarding (7%): A small number of dogs growled if someone approached them as they were being fed.

Many of these behaviors — particularly the extremes — stabilized as the dogs adjusted. However, for some, the level remained the same or even increased over time.

Behaviors Indicating Adjustment

The behavior that most participants used to signify their dog had adjusted was play (26%). Learning household routines (19%), such as when breakfast, dinner, and walks happen, was also considered a sign of adjustment. For some guardians, greeting (11%) and tail wagging (11%) let them know their dog had settled in.

Factors Influencing Adjustment

For several participants (22%), medical factors impacted their dog’s adjustment either positively or negatively. For instance, one guardian felt their dog’s surgery set them back, while another believed that finding the right pain medication improved their dog’s quality of life and enhanced their adjustment.

Resident dogs in general were thought to have a positive effect on the new dog’s adjustment (15%).

Prior life experiences, such as time spent in a kennel, were thought to make adjustment more difficult (15%).

The authors argue that it’s important to understand more about factors like these that influence a dog’s behavior post-adoption — not only to better respond to the concerning behaviors, but also to identify the circumstances and interventions that reduce stress and therefore enhance dogs’ adjustment. For instance, as learning household routines seemed to indicate adjustment, focusing on establishing and maintaining such routines could ease the transition for many dogs.

Changes To Guardians’ Routines

Most participants (96%) stated that it wasn’t difficult to adjust their routine to their new dog. Changes included going for walks more often because their dog was high energy (26%) or walking in more secluded places to accommodate their dog’s fearfulness or reactivity (11%). Some guardians (11%) also decreased the frequency of visitors or managed their dog’s behavior towards visitors because of their reactivity.

Adopters’ Concerns

Several participants (30%) shared that they experienced doubts about whether they made the right choice in adopting their dog or questioned their ability to meet their dog’s needs.

Taken together, these results indicate that more time is needed for adjustment than is currently suggested. For advocates working with dogs, people interested in adopting should be made aware that adjustment periods likely last longer than three months for many dogs, and that concerning behavior during this phase decreases in many — though not all — cases. A more realistic timeframe and accurate picture of what the adjustment period is like could improve adopters’ experiences and avoid unmet expectations, considerable frustration, and even returns of dogs back to shelters or rescues. The experiences described by guardians, including the different behaviors they encounter post-adoption, could inform organizations in better supporting adopters during this crucial period.