Dogs perceive time differently due to their faster internal clocks, so one human hour might feel significantly longer to them—potentially several hours.
The 7-7-7 rule describes the typical adjustment stages dogs go through after being adopted: 7 days to decompress, 7 weeks to feel comfortable, and 7 months to fully bond.
The 7-7-7 rule helps dogs adapt to new homes by recognizing that it takes 7 days to decompress, 7 weeks to start learning routines, and 7 months to build full trust.