Have you recently adopted a rescue dog and found the first few weeks harder than you expected? Or are you thinking about adoption and want to know what you're really signing up for? This episode is for you.

Nathan sits down with Tom Candy, animal behaviour specialist at Dogs Trust, to talk honestly about why rescue dogs struggle after adoption and, more importantly, exactly what you can do to help them settle in and thrive.

With 15 years of rescue and shelter experience, Tom shares practical, compassionate advice that every dog adopter needs to hear before, during and after bringing a rescue dog home.

In this episode you'll learn:

1. Why rescue dogs often shut down or struggle in those first weeks at home
2. What the decompression period is and why it matters
3. The Rule of Three, three days, three weeks, three months explained
4. The most common mistakes new adopters make and how to avoid them
5. How enrichment helps fearful and anxious rescue dogs build confidence
6. What to look for when choosing the right rescue dog for your lifestyle
7. When and how to reach out for support if you're struggling
8. Why you should ditch the label and stop blaming the "rescue" for behaviour challenges

Key takeaways:

1. Take it slow, rushing the settling in period is the number one mistake adopters make
2. Focus on what you want your dog to do, not what you don't want
3. Reach out to your rescue early if you're struggling - small problems are easier to fix
4. Enrichment isn't just fun, it reduces stress and builds your bond
5. Nearly 60% of dogs are returned due to behaviour issues, the right support from day one makes all the difference

Find Tom Candy on the Simplifying Shelter Behaviour website

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