Have you ever heard of the ‘puppy blues’? It might surprise you to know that ‘post-adoption blues’ are just as real.
If you’ve adopted a hound before you might know the feeling.
You’re a few days into the trial adoption period and the initial excitement is starting to wear off. You’re beginning to feel overwhelmed, anxious and wondering whether you have done the right thing. You’re starting to second guess your decision and thinking you may not be able to provide the right home for your hound. Sometimes, the feeling is so intense you might even start to feel the need to return the hound after just a few days.
We want you to know that it’s completely normal to feel this way! And more often that not, the feeling will pass.
Unfortunately, there will be times people will need to return the hound they’ve been matched with. Sometimes it just isn’t the right fit, and that’s ok. Oftentimes though, simply giving your hound a couple of weeks to settle in and get used to their new world is all that’s needed.
Your hound has a whole new world of unfamiliar things to adjust to. They will be anxious, and the pressure of seeing them uneasy may make you stressed. We want you to know it will pass. They need to be given the time to settle in and to feel comfortable around you. It takes effort and it doesn’t happen overnight.
Here are some points to remember:
- It won’t always be like this. Your hound will settle and acclimatise.
- The 3-3-3 rule. While every hound is different with their own journey to pet life, there are general milestones a rescue hound will reach after the first 3 days, 3 weeks, and 3 months. 3 days of stress, nerves and feeling overwhelmed, 3 weeks to learn a routine, and 3 months before they start to feel like they’re home. Understanding these will make their transition feel a whole lot smoother.
- They’re not intentionally being ‘naughty’. Our kennel kids have usually had zero experience in a home and they need you to show them the ropes through positive reinforcement.
Don’t let your nerves or anxieties cloud your judgement. Your hound may be experiencing nothing more than the usual settling in stress. It can be tough adjusting to a situation out of our control, sharing our space – even when we were fully prepared to do just that. It’s a big change! But it’s a time when we just have to go at the hound’s pace, so go easy on yourself, trust in your capabilities and chances are the mixed emotions will subside before you know it.
In many ways, social media has set unrealistic expectations of the adoption process. We don’t always get to hear about the difficulties others experience, and it is very easy to feel isolated. But there are many who have faced the challenges you are facing.
Here are some stories to show you aren’t going through this alone.
Kelly, adopted George:
“I was so stressed out when I brought George home, I really thought I’d made a huge mistake! I even extended my trial period so I could think about it for longer. He was so unlike any other dog I’d ever had and of course he didn’t know how to be a pet or live in a home. I wasn’t sure if he liked living with me and I felt overwhelmed. Was I equipped to parent a dog so unique and special?”
“Over the last 18 months I have realised this thinking was perfectly normal! I can see now George is relaxed at home. We are working on his reactivity using positive reinforcement. And I’ve come to accept his quirky ways. I know in my heart we have a bond and that he trusts me and feel safe and loved.”
Shelley, adopted Piper:
“Within days of bringing our grey home, I began second-guessing our decision, thinking ‘what the heck have we done?’ I worried constantly whether we were the right home for her. I then realised the obvious: Piper was likely just as overwhelmed as I was.”
“I pivoted to focus on one day at a time. We got into a groove and seven years later, I cannot imagine life without her. We now have three dogs and I volunteer regularly for Greyhound Rescue as I just love the breed so much. I am so glad I stepped back, took a breath, and gave both of us a chance to get into a groove.”
It takes time!
Give your hound time to settle in, once they learn the routine of being a pet and what’s expected of them, you will have a wonderful companion.
When you adopt from Greyhound Rescue, you have a whole group behind you who want to see your and your kennel kid succeed. Our team are always available to offer their support and help you with any teething issues.
For more information on our adoption process, click here.