Adopting a rescue dog comes with all the feels—excitement, hope, nerves. You want to do everything right in that transition period, so it makes sense that your first instinct might be to jump straight into training.

But here’s the thing…

Not all newly adopted dogs aren’t ready for traditional training right away.

That doesn’t mean they can’t or shouldn’t learn!

It just means the best place to start might not be sit-stay-come. It might be helping them feel safe, build trust, and figure out their new world.

What Most Rescue Dogs Actually Need First

Before they can focus or follow cues, dogs need to feel safe 🩷 Period. If they just landed in your home, they’re still processing everything, from smells and sounds to routines and relationships.

In those first days or weeks, your dog might:

Sleep a ton, or not at all
Cling to you, or want space
Show behaviors they didn’t have at the shelter
Seem “perfect” for a while, then surprise you later

This is all totally normal! We call this the decompression period, and it’s not about waiting around doing nothing, it’s about helping your dog adjust on their terms.

Training That Does Make Sense Early On

Not all training has to be structured or formal!

In fact, the most valuable work you can do early on is quiet, relationship-based stuff that sets the stage for everything else.

Here’s what we love starting with:

Confidence-building games
Shaping, choice-based activities, pattern work
Exploration walks
No goals, just sniffing, moving, and taking in the world. Put your phone down and really just enjoy the walk with your pup.
Marker training
Helps your dog understand how to earn good stuff, like saying, “good girl!” the moment your pup did something right
Name recognition + check-ins
Super low-pressure ways to start building communication
Creating predictable routines
Dogs thrive on structure and knowing what to expect

These aren’t flashy, but they matter.

They help your dog feel grounded, seen, and in control, which makes future training way more effective.

Is your new pup still decompressing? Some things are better saved for later, like:

Group classes with high stimulation
Long-duration cues (down stays, heel work)
Intense socialization in busy places
Punishment-based methods (always a no)

It’s not that these things are bad! They just don’t usually land well when a dog is still trying to figure out where they are and who you are.

What Readiness Looks Like

You’ll know your dog is ready to layer in more structured training when:

They’re exploring without hesitation
They show curiosity instead of panic
They’re sleeping, eating, and settling in easily
They show you they want to engage

That’s when obedience training becomes a conversation, not a demand.

How We Support Rescue Dogs at Copilot

Rescue dogs are one of our biggest passions.

Our owner, Margaret Fraser (CPDT-KA), has built strong partnerships with local Chicago rescues to make sure foster dogs have access to training when they need it most. When we have open spots, those dogs get first dibs, because every pup deserves the chance to thrive, not just survive.

At Copilot, we don’t just train rescue dogs; we live and breathe that world.

We’re staff members at local shelters, volunteers at Chicago Animal Care & Control, and proud adopters of rescue dogs ourselves.

We’ve seen the full journey—from scared foster pups just entering the system, to dogs settling into their forever homes and showing up to train with their new families.

We understand how much change a rescue dog goes through and we’re here to help them through it. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing new owners and their rescue pup come out the other side more bonded and understanding of one another.

Every dog is different.

Some are ready to dive in on day one. Others need a softer, slower start. We don’t rush the process, and we never expect your dog to fit into a mold.

We build trust first, then layer in real-life skills, so your dog feels safe, understood, and ready to learn.

Whether your rescue just came home or you’ve hit a bump in the road, we’re here for you.

How can we help?

Why Your New Rescue Dog May Not Need Obedience Training Right Away