Yes, it is common to experience regret, stress, or the desire to return a dog, often known as "rescue/puppy blues". This frequently stems from the challenges of integrating a new pet, such as behavioral issues, unexpected costs, or lifestyle disruption, but often, these issues are temporary. Returning a dog is not necessarily a sign of failure but may be the best decision for both the owner and the pet if the situation is genuinely unsafe or unsustainable.

How do you know if you should return a dog?

Common Reasons Why Dogs Are Returned

• Unexpected costs.
• Human health issues.
• Destructive behaviors (for example, soiling in the house, chewing furniture)
• Disobedience.
• Barking.
• Hyperactivity.
• Aggression (with children, other family members or pets)

Should I feel guilty for returning a dog to the shelter?

It's OK to have negative feelings. Rehoming shouldn't be done lightly, it would be weird if you didn't feel guilty. I think you should feel sad, feel guilty, sit with that. Rehoming doesn't make you a horrible person, but you SHOULD feel the weight of your decision.

How soon is too soon to return a dog?

The 3-3-3 rule for rescue dog adjustment: This guideline suggests that most rescue dogs take about 3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to start learning routines, and 3 months to begin feeling truly at home. Behaviors during the early stages often don't represent the dog's true personality.

What is the 3 3 3 rule for pets?

The 3-3-3 Rule is a guideline for adopting a new pet, especially a rescue dog, outlining its adjustment timeline: 3 days to decompress and feel overwhelmed, 3 weeks to start settling in and learning routines, and 3 months to feel completely at home, secure, and trust their new family, helping owners set realistic expectations for patience and building a strong bond.
 

Should You Rehome Your Dog? I did...

What to do when you regret adopting a dog?

The best course of action may involve returning the pet to the animal shelter or rescue organization that you adopted from (some adoption contracts stipulate that you return the pet if things aren't going well).

What is the 7 7 7 rule for dogs?

The "7 7 7 rule" for dogs is a puppy socialization guideline, originally by Pat Hastings, suggesting exposing puppies to 7 different people, 7 different locations, and 7 different surfaces/objects/sounds/challenges (variations exist) by about 7 weeks old to build confidence, resilience, and prevent fear or anxiety as adults. Key experiences include meeting diverse individuals, visiting different places like a vet's office or friend's house, walking on various substrates (grass, tile, carpet), and encountering new objects and gentle challenges (like tunnels or boxes).
 

What's a good reason to surrender a dog?

Some dogs are surrendered because they exhibit unwanted behaviors. These might include “puppy-like” behaviors like jumping, mouthing, house soiling, excessive barking, or walking poorly on a leash.

Is it morally wrong to rehome a dog?

Rehoming can be a good thing when the outcome benefits both the people and the puppy. While it may be disappointing that it's not working out - sometimes things aren't a good fit - especially if changes need to be made and you're unable/unwilling to make certain changes. Does that make you a horrible person? No.

Why are so many people surrendering their dogs?

“Non-aggressive behavior issues” popped up in the top five reasons for owner surrender of both dogs and cats (cited in 7.8% of the data), but as a whole “too many animals” (16.1%) and “housing” (13.7%) were most frequently cited as the reasons why people relinquish their pets.

Is it normal to not want your dog anymore?

it is TOTALLY normal to feel like this. It is NORMAL to have days when you want to give up and feel like you just don't enjoy your dog anymore. So many of us have been there before. Especially with puppies.

What is the 10 10 10 rule for dogs?

The "10 10 10 Rule" for dogs primarily refers to a puppy potty training method: 10 minutes outside in the designated spot, allowing 10 feet of space to sniff and circle, and staying for 10 minutes of supervision to reward them if they go, otherwise bringing them back inside to a crate for 10-20 minutes before trying again. It can also relate to nutrition (treats < 10% of calories) or general training discipline, but the potty training version is the most common interpretation.

How traumatic is it for a dog to change owners?

Changing owners is inherently stressful and can be traumatic for a dog, causing anxiety, depression, separation issues, and behavioral changes, as they lose their familiar "pack" and routine; however, the severity depends on the dog's past, personality, and the stability, love, and patience of the new home, with most dogs eventually adapting, though some histories (abuse, neglect) require significant time to build trust.

Why are dogs so happy when you return?

You're Their Safe Place

To your dog, you're not just the person who feeds them or walks them. You're their center of gravity. Their sense of home. This is why they follow you around, rest more easily when you're near, and react to your return as if it's the highlight of their day — because to them, it is.

Am I a bad person for surrendering my dog?

No, surrendering a dog does not make you a bad person; it's often a courageous, selfless act of prioritizing your dog's well-being when you can no longer provide the necessary care, and responsible surrendering is far better than neglect or an unsafe situation, though it's emotionally difficult and best done ethically by contacting rescues or shelters to ensure a good new home. 

At what age is a dog not trainable?

This question is a common one, and the short answer is simple: a dog is never not trainable. While the popular saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" might make you think otherwise, the truth is that a dog's age has no bearing on its capacity to learn.

How long does 1 hour feel to a dog?

An hour for a dog doesn't pass like it does for humans; due to their faster metabolism and perception, a human hour feels much longer to a dog, with some suggesting it's closer to 7 minutes of their time, making a work day feel like days, and explaining their intense excitement when owners return from seemingly short absences. They sense time through routines, smells, and body changes, not abstract clocks. 

What is the hardest month with a puppy?

The "worst" month of puppyhood varies, but common tough stages include 3-4 months (intense biting/teething, potty training issues, sleep disruption) and the 6-12 month adolescence period (rebelliousness, boundary testing, increased energy/independence, "terrible teens"), with the biting often peaking around 13 weeks. While teething (4-6 months) brings destructive chewing, adolescence brings behavioral challenges as hormones kick in, leading to disobedience and independence.
 

How traumatizing is it to rehome a dog?

For many, many dogs, just going into a shelter is a traumatic event. For a dog who has never lived in a home, a home is traumatizing. It's really easy to further traumatize these dogs. You have to go from what a dog is used to, to gradually expose the dog to something different.

Can I return a dog I just adopted?

If, within those 60 days, you determine your recently adopted pet isn't a good fit or you find yourself unable to provide necessary medical care, you may return the animal and receive an AHS gift card that can be used toward the adoption of another animal, pet supplies, and education programs.

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