Adopting a New Dog Checklist

When you pick up your new pup, you’ll need a safe way to get them home. Although the animal shelter or breeder will provide your dog with a collar and leash, you can’t use those to safely secure your dog in a car. To prevent your pooch from being injured—or injuring you—in transit, you should strap them in with a travel carrier or a restraint harness. For smaller dogs and puppies, we like the Sherpa Original Deluxe Carrier because it has large ventilation windows to keep your dog cool, and the bag’s three sizes can accommodate pets up to 22 pounds. This claw- and bite-resistant nylon bag has wide entry points on the front and top, so you can quickly load your dog into it. And there’s a large pocket on the back, so you can store a few of your dog’s favorite treats and toys. (Make sure to place the carrier on the floor behind the car’s front seat; that’s the safest location.)

If your dog is too big for a carrier, a restraint harness will keep them secure in the car. The Sleepypod ClickIt Sport has a five-star crash-test rating from the Center for Pet Safety, which independently certifies pet carriers and harnesses for crash resistance. The Sleepypod also has reflective stripes on the sides and metal D-rings, so it can serve as a walking harness for potty breaks on the road. But multiple buckles and loops can make a harness tricky to get on your pup, so most owners may prefer a walking harness for everyday use. (See our recommendation, below.)

For more information, read our full guide to travel carriers for pets and our other pet gear guides.

Although you’ll likely receive a free collar when you pick up your dog, it will almost certainly be flimsy, so you should swap it for something better as soon as you can. The Orvis Reflective Dog Collar can be customized with up to 28 letters and/or numbers that are embroidered onto the collar in a black sans-serif font. So if your dog’s tags have fallen off, someone can still contact you. The Orvis collar is also brightly reflective, for nighttime walking. It’s available in seven colors and comes in a range of sizes to fit most dogs, with necks 9 to 26 inches around. And it has a lifetime warranty, so you can always replace the collar (minus shipping costs) if the embroidery frays or the buckle cracks.

For more information, read our full guide to dog collars.

Although a collar is great for holding tags, you shouldn’t attach a leash to it. A dog pulling on the collar can put too much pressure on their neck, and this can cause long-term health problems. Harnesses distribute force more evenly across your pet’s body; they’re also much harder to slip out of and less likely to snap. And harnesses with chest leash attachments, like the Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Dog Walking Harness, will prevent your dog from pulling during walks. (It also has a back attachment.) The harness doesn’t retain pet odors and is machine-washable. It comes in five sizes, to accommodate dogs from 5 pounds to over 80 pounds. And we love Kurgo’s lifetime warranty, which promises free replacements for manufacturing defects and charges just $12 for wear-and-tear repairs.

For more information, read our full guide to dog-walking harnesses.

Every dog owner needs a leash to escort their pooch from one location to another. It’s safer for them, and most cities require dogs to be leashed in public areas—failure to do so could result in a hefty fine. An adoption service will likely provide a leash, but it won’t be a good one. We recommend coming prepared with the Max and Neo Double Handle Heavy Duty Reflective Leash in hand. It’s made of durable nylon, and Max and Neo offers a lifetime warranty. The 6-foot lead has two padded handles, one at 10½ inches from the clasp and one at the end. The neoprene padding prevents chafing and blisters on your hands if your dog is a puller, and the handle near the clasp gives you more control over your dog’s movements.

For more information, read our full guide to everyday dog leashes.

Brushing out your pet’s fur detangles it, removes some dirt, and gives you and your best pal a chance to bond over something that isn’t that slice of pizza resting precariously on the kitchen counter. We’ve used and like the Four Paws Magic Coat Curry Brush for dogs with smooth, short coats (like boxers), who should be brushed weekly. Pets with longer coats that mat easily, like bichons frises, need to be brushed multiple times per week. The Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush will help detangle any fur, and it won’t get clogged with hairballs thanks to the retractable bristles. The FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool has a quick-release hair button, and it works wonders for double-coated breeds, like Siberian huskies, who blow their coats when the seasons change. Brushing their coats out for 30 minutes twice a week should do the trick. Professional groomers advise against cutting out mats because it’s easy to injure your pet. Instead, treat the fur like human hair, and hold it below the mat, separate it into smaller sections, and brush it out as you normally would.

For more information, read our full blog post on how to groom your pet.

It’s important to trim your pup’s nails every month or so. If you fail to trim them regularly, nails will become overgrown and make walking difficult. And over time your dog’s nails will keep growing, curl under, and get embedded in their paw pads. To save a few bucks at the groomer, it’s worth learning to trim your dog’s nails. Plus, sensitizing them to clippers and touching their feet will work wonders for training, socialization, and scary trips to the vet. The Millers Forge Professional Nail Clip cuts cleanly, consistently, comfortably, and effortlessly out of the box. During our testing, this clipper cut through dozens of bamboo skewers without losing its edge or hurting our hands (which couldn’t be said of other popular options we tested). When testing the finalists on our two dogs (weighing 50 pounds and 15 pounds), we found that the Millers Forge clipper produced the quickest, neatest trim and was the least stressful for both our pets and ourselves. Also, staffers have reported that this clipper’s blades have held up well after years of use. This clipper also comes in sizes for small/medium dogs and large dogs.

For more information, read our full guide to dog nail clippers.

After your dog poops outside, you’ll need a way to pick up the mess, even if the mess is in your own yard. Dog waste can contain parasites that’ll damage your lawn, spread disease, and contaminate water supplies. We like AmazonBasics Dog Waste Bags because they’re thick enough that they won’t leak or tear when you’re scooping up the dog waste, and they’re among the best we tested at containing stinky poo odors. The dog bags are also easy to open and separate from the roll, and they’re sold in huge quantities that won’t strain your wallet (at roughly 1.5¢ a bag).

For more information, read our full guide to dog poop bags.

We recommend stainless steel or ceramic dog dishes because they’re easier to clean and don’t harbor bacteria and oil buildup like plastic bowls do. Dr. Ken Tudor of PetMD recommends picking a food dish that’s shallow enough for your dog’s tongue to reach the bottom, wide enough for their snout to fit in, and big enough to hold a meal’s worth of kibble—but not much larger than that. If you’re not sure how much your dog should be eating, here’s a formula that can help you figure it out. But you’re best served by asking your vet and referencing the feeding guidelines on your dog’s food.

A water bowl should hold enough water that you need to refill it only every 24 to 36 hours. Since dogs drink 20 to 40 milliliters of water per pound of body weight, a 10-pound dog should do okay with a 20-ounce bowl, while a 20-pound dog needs a 40-ounce bowl. In our own homes, we like the colorful Loving Pets Bella Bowls Pet Bowl, which is dishwasher-safe. It comes in three sizes, for small or large dogs, and it has a removable, no-skid bottom.

To encourage your pet to drink more, place multiple water dishes throughout your home. Or use a water fountain, which you don’t have to fill as often. We like the Pioneer Pet Raindrop Drinking Fountain. It has a large, 96-ounce water reservoir, so you don’t have to top it frequently (though how often you need to refill will depend on how quickly your pet drinks). And in our tests, this fountain was quieter than a running fridge. The water softly trickles from the upper deck and is enticing for pets who love drinking out of a running faucet. The lower deck has a wide opening that’s perfect for pets who prefer standing water, as well as for large dogs who need more room for their face. At 2.7 pounds, this pet fountain is also heavier than most we’ve found, so it’s harder for rambunctious dogs to knock around. And this fountain should prevent chin acne from making an appearance since it’s made of metal (which harbors less of the bacteria that can cause skin problems than plastic).

For more information, read our full guide to pet water fountains.

Just like humans, dogs need a bed to call their own. A comfy bed is not only a place to sleep but also somewhere they can retreat to if they no longer feel like socializing. And it serves as a home base to center training on. The Majestic Pet Products Suede Bagel Dog Bed has raised bolsters around the entire perimeter that support your dog no matter which way they turn. And it’s easy to clean: The smaller sizes fit in the washing machine, and the larger ones have a removable, machine-washable cover. We also have picks for hotter climates and other situations.

For more information, read our full guide to dog beds.

Potty pads are large, absorbent sheets that dogs can use indoors to do their business without leaving puddles in your home. They make great housebreaking aids and serve as regular bathroom spots for older dogs who can’t hold it long enough between walks. We like Iris Neat ’n Dry training pads (regular size) because they dried the fastest of the eight pads we tested, so your dog won’t track urine across the floor. Each sheet measures 17½ by 23½ inches and is lined with five layers of quilted, absorbent material. And each one is big and thick enough to contain up to ⅔ quart of liquid—an entire day’s worth of pee for a 20-pound dog. (Iris also makes a pad that’s twice the size, but it’s more than twice as expensive per square inch. So if you need more coverage, you’re better off just laying down two of the regular ones.) The Iris pads are easy to unfold, and the absorbent layers won’t tear when you spread the pad open (unlike some other brands we tested).

A crate gives dogs a protected space to call their own, which can help some pups feel calmer and more secure. For others, a crate can make house training easier because a dog is less likely to make a mess in the same space they’re resting in. We like the MidWest Ultima Pro Double Door Folding Dog Crate because it’s made of a thick wire grid that’s tough enough not to bend or break if your dog tries to escape. The crate also has a leakproof plastic pan that your dog won’t be able to shift easily. The MidWest crate comes in five sizes (from 24 to 48 inches long) to accommodate pets weighing up to 90 pounds, and it collapses for easy storage and transportation. If you do get this model or a similar crate, take care to remove your dog’s collar before putting them inside, to reduce the risk of entanglement (advice we embarrassingly forgot while shooting the photos for our review).

For more information, read our full guide to dog crates.

A gate gives your dog the freedom to move around your home while also keeping them from exploring some rooms (such as the kitchen or home office). The Cardinal Gates SS-30 Stairway Special is the best gate for keeping dogs, less-mobile cats, and infants restricted within your home. It’s easy to install and can be opened with just one hand, yet it’s impossible for pets to unlatch. Because it’s made of metal, this gate is durable. And this gate’s hardware-mounted design makes it more secure than pressure-mounted gates, so it will do less damage to your walls.

For more information, read our full guide to dog gates.

Throwing around a dog toy is a great way to bond with your pet and give them some extra exercise. And when you’re away, toys help dogs satisfy the need to chew, whether they’re teething or just bored. We’ve rounded up some of our own pups’ favorite toys in our dog toys guide. These include a ball that’s tougher, bouncier, and more buoyant than a traditional tennis ball (Chuckit Ultra Ball); a squeaker toy that’s inaudible to human ears (Hear Doggy ultrasonic squeaker toys); a tough chew stick made of yak and cow milk (Himalayan Dog Chew); and a family of stuffed squirrels (Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel). We recommend that you purchase a few different styles so your new pup can decide what type of toy they like. Plus, you two will have plenty of fun evaluating the toys together.

For more information, read our blog post on dog toys.

Even if your new dog is housebroken, accidents will still occur as they settle into their routine. To clean up these pet messes, you will need an all-purpose cleaner. The Puracy Natural Multi-Surface Cleaner can clean baked-on pasta sauce from enamel and crayon off of a painted wall, so it can also tackle urine accidents. The cleaner comes in a citrusy scent that isn’t overpowering to human nostrils. If you also have a cat, go with our former runner-up pick, the Method All-Purpose Naturally Derived Surface Cleaner, since the non-citrus scent options are easier on a cat’s nose. (Note: Puracy and Method are our previous surface-cleaner picks; they are more pet-friendly than our current surface-cleaner picks that destroy the novel coronavirus.)

For more information, read our full guide to all-purpose cleaners.

To wipe up urine puddles and drink spills, you need a really absorbent paper towel. Bounty Select-A-Size paper towels, which are a staff favorite and former guide pick, hold more moisture than the competition. And the sheets are strong enough to scrub away dried messes without tearing. You’ll also save paper waste when cleaning up because Bounty’s sheets have more tear-off points (which let you specify how big of a towel to use per pet mess).

Finally, don’t forget that there are a few things you’ll need to take care of with your vet or shelter soon after you bring your dog home: vaccines, microchips and tags, and sterilization, among other things. See this blog post for more information.

• Pet carrier or travel harness
• Collar
• Harness
• Leash
• Dog brush
• Dog nail clippers
• Dog poop bags
• Food and water bowls
• Water fountain
• Bed
• Pee pads
• Crate
• Gate
• Dog-approved toys
• Surface cleaner
• Paper towels

Printable Checklist

Print a copy of this checklist (PDF) to keep on hand, so you will be sure to have everything you need before heading out to pick up your new pup.