Carolina Curious (@CarolinaCurious)

This is a tip that we are never told when we rescue a cat or dog. When a cat or dog has had a bad start in life and finally figures out that you are their new safe forever home... they go into a second puppyhood or kittenhood honeymoon phase. Even if they're an older animal. Why? Because suddenly they have the joy of a safe home and like a puppy or kitten experience a new exuberance on life! Their enthusiastic behaviour might drive you nuts for a few weeks but they do calm down. Giving them a daily routine for food/attention/etc helps hugely as does a bit of tolerance for annoying behaviours... we are helping to rewire their minds to become normalised family companions. My new rescue dogs might not stop barking or jumping immediately when I instruct them to during their "second puppyhood honeymoon" phase... but I can still take food or bones from their mouths. That's a big indicator that they're going to be OK and that they're still normalizing with great JOY to their amazing new life.