The First Three Months With Our Charleston Shelter Dog and What They Really Teach You

Bringing home a shelter dog comes with hope, excitement, and a lot of unknowns. By the time you reach the three-month mark, many adopters are either starting to feel relief or questioning everything. Sometimes both.

When Maggie joined our family after spending nearly three months at Dorchester Paws, a local Charleston shelter, we knew she would need time. What we did not know was how much growth, patience, and perspective those first three months would require from all of us.

This is an honest look at what the three-month mark has looked like for Maggie and why this stage matters so much for anyone adopting a shelter dog in Charleston.

What Feels Different at Three Months

The biggest shift we have seen in Maggie is how comfortable she is in her own skin.

In the early weeks, she was restless and constantly on edge. She paced, panted, and struggled to settle, something the shelter had shared with us as well. That inability to relax was one of the reasons she had been on Trazodone during her time at the shelter.

Now, that restlessness is gone.

She relaxes easily when she is not active. She naps without pacing. She lays around the house without feeling like she needs to monitor every movement. Her body language is softer, and her overall demeanor tells us she finally feels safe.

This is what decompression actually looks like. It is quiet. It is subtle. And it rarely happens in the first few weeks.

Daily Life With Maggie Now

Routine has been the foundation of Maggie’s progress.

She eats twice a day, once in the morning and again in the late afternoon. She gets at least one walk daily and sometimes two. As a family, we aim for an adventure walk at least once a week at local Charleston favorites like Wannamaker Park or Sullivan's Island Beach, which has been great for both physical exercise and mental stimulation.

Most days, she joins me in the home office and naps on her dog bed or the recliner. She has learned that downtime is part of life, especially with Buddy, our eleven-year-old senior dog, modeling calm behavior.

Enrichment still plays a role, but it looks different now. Instead of constant management, it is layered into her routine through sniff walks, frozen lick mats, Kongs, and homemade enrichment like frozen stuffed bell peppers filled with yogurt, cottage cheese, fruits, and vegetables.

Sniffing has been especially helpful for Maggie’s mental health. Allowing dogs to explore the world through scent helps them decompress far more effectively than constant physical exercise alone. If you want to learn why, we break it down in our blog on why sniffing tires dogs out more than exercise, which is a great resource for newly adopted dogs adjusting to a new home.

At night, Maggie sleeps on the sofa or loveseat in the living room. We no longer crate her overnight. We do still crate her when we leave the house, primarily to protect Buddy’s joints and give the cats space when we are not home. That structure has worked well for everyone.

PAWS UP! Pro Tip: Structure beats chaos when it comes to exercise. Many newly adopted dogs do better with predictable, guided walks than free-for-all activity. Structured walks and adventure walks allow dogs to burn energy, practice focus, and build confidence at a pace that feels safe and manageable.

Maggie and Our Other Pets at Three Months

Maggie and Buddy coexist much more peacefully now.

She still has more energy than he does, but as long as we meet her physical and mental needs, she is calm around him. They rest near each other, share the sofa, and exchange kisses. Their relationship feels balanced and respectful, even if their play styles are very different.

Her relationship with the cats has evolved in ways we did not expect.

Charlie has become an active participant in play. When we let the cats into the backyard under supervision, Charlie will chase Maggie, initiate play stances, and engage in short bursts of interaction. Inside the house, he bats at her while she chases toys down the hallway. It is playful, mutual, and surprisingly entertaining.

Callie remains more reserved, but peaceful. She coexists comfortably, which is a win in itself.

These relationships developed slowly, with supervision, structure, and time.

Confidence Building Through Exercise and Mental Stimulation

Confidence building has been one of the most important parts of Maggie’s transformation over the past three months.

The Broken Leash Dog Park & Bar has continued to be a helpful part of her routine, not because it is the only way she burns energy, but because it offers a safe, supervised environment where she can socialize with dogs who match her play style. Over time, we have seen her confidence grow there. She navigates the space more calmly, plays more appropriately, and comes home noticeably more relaxed.

That said, this is only one piece of the puzzle.

Much of Maggie’s progress has also come from consistent daily walks, structured sniff time, and regular adventure walks that provide mental stimulation without overwhelming her. Exploring new neighborhoods, trails, and parks around Charleston has helped her build confidence in quieter, more controlled ways. These outings allow her to move her body, work her brain, and decompress without the intensity that comes with off-leash play.

For high-energy dogs, what matters most is not where they release energy, but how. A thoughtful mix of physical exercise, mental enrichment, and predictable routines can make a meaningful difference. For pet parents who prefer not to use dog parks, structured walks and enrichment-focused outings can be just as effective.

Skills That Have Improved and What We Are Still Working On

Maggie’s leash manners have improved noticeably. She still pulls at times out of excitement, but she is more responsive and is learning to walk more consistently on my

left side.

Her recall has improved, though it remains a work in progress, especially when she is fully engaged with other dogs. That feels developmentally appropriate, and we continue to work on it with realistic expectations.

Settling has been her biggest success. She can turn herself off now, something she struggled with deeply in the beginning. Impulse control is improving, greetings are generally polite, and she listens better overall, even when she needs reminders.

There have been no major setbacks since month one. The potty regressions we experienced early on resolved quickly and have not returned.

A Gentle Reminder for Anyone in Weeks One Through Four

If you are reading this while struggling in weeks one through four with a newly adopted dog, please hear this.

The behaviors you are seeing right now are not the final version of your dog.

Many dogs are returned to shelters during this period because the adjustment feels overwhelming. They may not get along with another pet immediately. They may have accidents. They may chew things. They may feel anxious or unsure.

This does not mean you made the wrong choice.

It means your dog is still learning how to exist in a completely new world.

The Rule of Threes in Real Life

The Rule of Threes exists for a reason.

Three days to decompress. Three weeks to learn the routine. Three months to start feeling at home.

At three months, Maggie is not perfect, but she is herself. She is relaxed. She is confident. And she trusts us.

That trust is earned through time, consistency, and patience.

What Maggie Has Taught Us

Maggie has reinforced something we already believed but now understand on a deeper level.

Rescue dogs need time, not pressure.

They need structure without force. Expectations without urgency. Support without judgment.

If you are adopting a shelter dog in Charleston, I hope her story encourages you to give your dog time, routine, and grace. The progress you are hoping for is often happening quietly beneath the surface.

Progress with rescue dogs is rarely loud or fast, but when it happens, it changes everything.

Need Support During the Adjustment Period?

If you are navigating life with a newly adopted dog in the Charleston area, PAWS UP! can help. Our Midday Dog Walks and Adventure Walks are customized to support dogs during this important adjustment phase.

Structured midday walks provide consistency during the workday, while adventure walks offer mental stimulation through new environments and experiences. The right kind of exercise, delivered consistently, can make a meaningful difference in how a rescue dog settles into their new home.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Adopting a Shelter Dog

How long does it take a rescue dog to fully adjust to a new home?

Many rescue dogs begin to feel more settled around the three-month mark, but emotional adjustment can continue beyond that, especially for dogs coming from long shelter stays. Decompression happens gradually and looks different for every dog.

Is it normal for a rescue dog to still have high energy after three months?

Yes. High energy is often part of a dog’s personality, not anxiety. With consistent outlets like structured walks, enrichment, and mental stimulation, high-energy dogs can still be calm and well-adjusted at home.

What is the best way to help my rescue dog burn off energy?

The best approach is a balance of physical exercise and mental stimulation. Daily walks, adventure walks, sniffing opportunities, and enrichment activities often work better than unstructured play alone. What matters most is consistency and choosing outlets that fit your dog’s individual needs.

How can I provide mental stimulation for my newly adopted dog?

Mental stimulation can include sniff walks, puzzle toys, lick mats, frozen enrichment treats, training sessions, and exploring new environments through adventure walks. These activities help dogs decompress and build confidence without overstimulation.

What should I do if my rescue dog still feels unsure or anxious at three months?

That is completely normal. Some dogs need more time to fully trust their new environment. Keep routines predictable, avoid rushing progress, and continue offering calm structure and reassurance. Confidence builds through repetition and patience.

Can PAWS UP! help support my newly adopted dog in Charleston?

Yes. PAWS UP! offers customizable Midday Dog Walks and Adventure Walks designed to help rescue dogs burn energy, gain confidence, and settle into their new routine while you’re at work or away.

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Need Extra Support While Your Rescue Dog Settles In?

The first few months with a newly adopted dog can be a big adjustment, especially for high-energy pups or dogs coming from long shelter stays. Consistent routines and the right kind of exercise make a huge difference.

PAWS UP! offers Midday Dog Walks and Adventure Walks designed to support rescue dogs as they decompress and build confidence. Whether your dog needs a calm midday stroll, enrichment through sniffing and exploration, or a longer adventure walk to burn off energy, our team customizes each visit to fit your dog’s needs.

If you’re welcoming a new dog into your Charleston home and want support during those early months, we’re here to help.

👉 Book your new client consultation today

We’d love to hear from you!

If you’ve adopted a rescue dog, what did the first few months look like for you?

Was there a moment when things finally started to click?

Share your story in the comments below or tag us on social @PawsUpCHS so we can cheer you on.