Adopting a dog is such an incredible thing to do. Not only will you be bringing a loving and caring friend into your life, but youâre also giving a dog a second chance at having a great life. While dog adoption is wonderful, itâs also very serious. Many people jump into dog ownership without fully considering everything thatâs required.
In fact, thereâs many considerations beyond the initial supplies required for dog ownership. You need to ensure that your life can comfortably accommodate a dog and supply them with the love and care that they need. This checklist will make it easy to ensure that you have all that you need to adopt a dog and bring it into the perfect home.
Embed This Image
<p><a href=âhttps://www.beyondthetreat.com/dog-adoption-checklistâ><img src=âhttps://www.beyondthetreat.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/doggy-adoption-checklist.jpgâ alt=â border=â0Ⲡ/></a></p>
Table of Contents
Dog Adoption Checklist
Adopting a shelter dog is a lot more than just bringing a new friend into your home. Itâs a massive lifestyle shift that will require a good amount of effort to provide your new pup with the loving environment that it needs.
Not only do you need to have some essential supplies before bringing the dog home, but you also need to be sure that you can handle dog ownership before even going to a shelter! This checklist covers all of the necessary points that you need to supply and be absolutely sure of before making the decision to adopt a dog.
Missing even 1 of these 23 items could lead to a bad experience for you and your dog. Remember, this isnât just a pet, itâs a living and breathing creature that youâre bringing into your home. Spare no expense and take no risks!
Essential Dog Supplies List
No matter what breed, size, or age of dog youâre bringing into your home, theyâre going to need some supplies to make sure that all of their needs are met. Itâs important that you have all of these supplies waiting at home before adopting a shelter dog so that they can be comfortable from the first step inside of your home.
While you may acquire more specialty items down the line, these 10 supplies should be in the home of every single dog owner without question.
1. Collar & Leash
âWalking your dog is one of the most important things that you can do for them! It helps to keep them active, introduces them to new sights and smells, and works wonders to enhance the bond between you two. In order to go on these walks, youâll need a long leash and a comfortable yet snug collar.
Purchasing high-quality collars and leashes ensures that theyâll withstand any abuse that your dog puts them through. You donât want them breaking in the middle of a walk and resulting in a pup on the loose.
2. ID Tag
If youâve ever lost a dog in the past, youâll know that an ID tag can be a lifesaver. This tag should feature the name of your pet, your city, and your direct phone number. This information will make sure that anyone that finds your dog can reach you and let you know that they have your dog.
ID tags are typically attached to a dogâs collar, and a dog can sometimes slip out of their collar. This is why itâs also important to microchip your dog so that theyâre identifiable all the time. Fortunately, most shelter dogs are microchipped already.
3. Crate
This is an essential product that every dog owner needs but gets overlooked quite frequently. When youâre away, the crate can be used to fight against separation anxiety by creating a sort of safe and familiar space for your dog.
A crate thatâs too large or small can cause more harm than good, so make sure that itâs properly sized for your incoming dog.
4. Bed
It isnât tough to find an excellent bed for your new dog as long as you know roughly what size youâre going to be bringing home. If youâre adopting a puppy, still opt for a larger bed as theyâll quickly grow into it and will save you money in the future.
As your dog grows used to sleeping in their bed, it will start to act as a âhome baseâ for relaxation and comfort thatâs extremely valuable.
5. Food & Water Bowls
Dogs have to eat and drink, so theyâll need bowls to get their food and water from! Try to keep the size of the bowl proportionate to the size of your dog. Also, some owners prefer to use elevated bowls to help keep their dogâs neck and back healthy.
Included with this would be portable water bowls, or water bottles. Any time that you go on an extended outdoor adventure with your dog, theyâll need a reliable water source. These are very convenient and quite affordable.
6. Grooming Supplies
Grooming your dog is a massive part of ownership! Making sure that their fur, skin, teeth, and nails are healthy is absolutely essential for the long term health of your dog. There are a few essential products that youâll need when it comes to grooming.
- Brush â âWorks to remove any loose fur and to keep fur clean and untangled.ââ
- Nail Clippers / Grinders â âKeeps nails a healthy length.ââ
- Fur Clippers â âEasily cuts through fur of dogs that require trims.ââ
- Shampoo & Conditioner â âRemoves any dirt and oil during bath time.ââ
- Toothbrush & Toothpaste â âKeeps teeth healthy and prevents bad breath.ââ
7. Toys
Every dog absolutely loves toys â especially when they come into a new home and may be a bit nervous. Toys are used by dogs to de-stress and get a lot of their built-up energy out. Theyâre also a great way for you to bond with your dog, as the right toys can provide hours of entertainment every single day.
There are some toys that keep dogs entertained even when theyâre all alone, such as dog ball launchers.
8. Food
Obviously every dog needs food, but a lot of owners donât supply the right food. Itâs very common for a new dog owner to go to the nearest pet store and purchase the first dry or wet food that they see on the shelf. While this is typically fine, it can cause some problems if the food is low quality or if itâs substantially different from the food that the dog was eating at the shelter.
The best course of action is to ask the shelter about what food the dog was being fed and purchasing that food. You can either continue with that food, or very slowly transition your dog over to another, better food. Donât skimp on your dogâs diet! A high-quality food will provide many benefits health-wise and emotionally.
9. Treats
Dogs love treats⌠duh. Not only are treats great for bonding with your dog, but theyâll also play a massive part in helping to get your dog trained and behaving well.
There are hundreds of different dog treats available in stores all over the place. However, some owners opt to save some money and make homemade treats for their dogs with just a few simple ingredients.
10. Poop Bags
When taking your dog on a walk, most of the time theyâll use that as an opportunity to go to the bathroom. You donât want to be that owner that simply leaves their dog poop for an unfortunate person to stumble across, so poop bags are a must. A lot of them come in dispensers that hook to your leash so that you always have them with you.
If you want to be environmentally-friendly, opt for bio-degradable poop bags for a very small additional cost.
Questions To Ask Before Adopting A Dog
You may have all of the necessary supplies, but that doesnât mean anything if you yourself canât give your new dog the love and care that it needs. Thatâs why itâs essential to review your current and future living situations to make sure that dog ownership is right for you.
The last thing that you want to do is bring home a dog from a shelter, realize that you canât care for it, and have to take it back to a shelter. This is that dogâs second chance at life, so donât expose it to the stress of going back to a shelter and having to get re-homed again.
1. Do you have other pets?
âAs much as weâd love it to be true, not all dogs will get along with all animals. If you have any other pets inside of your house, youâll need to consider how theyâll interact with a dog. Small pets like fish, lizards, and hamsters should typically be fine if kept in their cages around a dog. However, if you already have cats or dogs, they need to be taken into account.
Ensure that those existing pets are okay with other animals, and vise-versa. Many owners will take their pets to the shelter to see how they interact with the new dog before bringing them home. Make sure that youâre not taking any chances!
2. Are the people in your residence okay with a dog?
While you may own the dog, it might as well belong to everybody within your residence. Dogs can be a little loud, messy, and energetic, so make sure that everybody that youâre living with is entirely okay with this. You donât want to put them in an uncomfortable position, as that can make life tough for you, them, and your new dog.
3. Where do you see yourself in the future?
Dog ownership is a long-term commitment. With many dogs living well over 10 years, itâs essential that youâre sure that youâll still be able to provide your dog with plenty of care and attention several years down the line. If your life is at a crossroads right now and youâre not exactly sure what your future holds, itâs best to hold off on adoption.
While nobody is positive about where theyâll be in 10 years, you should at least have an idea. You should also know whether or not there will be any flexibility where you can tweak your life to better accommodate a dog.
4. Is your place of residence suited for a dog?
Your dog will be spending most of their time inside of your residence, so it should be a comfortable environment for them. You donât need a mansion by any means, but dogs should have enough space to wander about without feeling cramped. This also helps to keep them from getting in the way and causing you to trip over them frequently.
Other things to think about are amenities of your residence. Is there a backyard for easy playtime? Are there sidewalks or trails to use for walks? Is there a handy dog park nearby that can be used for socialization? All factors to consider.
5. Does your social/work life allow for a dog?
Everybody is different. Everybody spends different amounts of time and puts different value on both their social and work life. If you spend a lot of time out with friends or if your job requires you to work late or travel a lot, a dog is likely not for you.
Of course, it is possible to make compromise. However, you donât want to drastically decrease your quality of life just to care for a dog, nor do you want to rob your dog of proper care because youâre socializing or working a lot.
6. Do you have plans for dog care during vacations?
This is relatively simple, but itâs something to consider. If you have to leave home for longer than a day, who is going to care for your dog? Do you have family or friends nearby that can watch them, or is there a boarding place close by? Itâs important to have a game plan so that you can find a dog sitter with very short notice in case something comes up.
7. Do you know about any allergies?
Nothing is worse than bringing home a dog and finding out that somebody is allergic to them! This will either require the allergic person to deal with their allergies or return the dog back to the shelter â neither are good options. Therefore, itâs a good idea to bring everybody in your residence to the shelter to make sure that nobody is allergic to your potential pup.
8. Does the breed of dog suit your lifestyle?
While a dogâs breed isnât a sure-fire way of predicting how a dogâs demeanor is going to be, itâs not entirely inaccurate either. Additionally, some dogs simply require a lot more care than others. English bulldogs are more than happy to lounge around your house all day every day, while Shiba Inus will need constant stimulation and attention.
Getting a dog that matches your lifestyle will make caring for them so much easier. Do plenty of research about the needs of the specific breed that youâre looking to adopt.
9. Does the dogâs age suit your lifestyle?
Age is also not the perfect indicator of how a dog will behave. However, younger dogs are typically more energetic than older dogs and require more attention, while older dogs may require more medical care. If youâre going to be around a lot, a younger dog may be best for you. However, if youâre not going to be home all of the time, a more mature dog is better suited.
10. Will you be able to handle behavioral problems?
Thereâs a chance that you may adopt a dog that has some minor behavioral problems. All dogs have their little quirks, and itâs up to you as the owner to deal with those in an effective way. Ask yourself if youâre willing to put in the effort to deal with any problems that may happen to arise.
Too many dogs get returned to shelters for being âtoo hyperâ or something similar, which is heartbreaking to see. Most problems can be dealt with a little patience and good training knowledge.
11. Will you be able to take your dog on walks?
Walking your dog is ridiculously important! Before you bring home a dog, be 100% positive that youâll be able to take it on at least 1 long walk every single day (but preferably 2 or 3). Not walking your dog is terrible for them mentally and physically, so this is a very important question you must be sure of the answer to.
If youâre physically disabled, or if your life results in you not being able to walk your dog, thereâs possible work-arounds. You could ask a family member or friend to do the walks, pay a neighbor to do it, or use a service like Wag to find qualified dog walkers.
12. Can you afford all of the costs of dog ownership?
Many people are fooled into thinking that dogs are cheap pets to own, but thatâs pretty far from the truth. There are a lot more costs that youâll incur beyond the near-negligible adoption fee youâll pay from the shelter. Initial costs are in the several hundreds of dollars range, while yearly costs of ownership arenât much lower.
Itâs also important to know that your dog can become sick and require medical care. This can get very expensive, so make sure that a sudden illness in your pooch wonât entirely drain your bank account.
13. Do you âtruly âwant a dog?ââ
A question that needs to be asked. Some people adopt a dog as a spur of the moment decision, not realizing that theyâve just dedicated the next decade of their life to caring for a living and breathing creature. You canât bring a dog into your life because you feel like it â it needs to be something that you truly want deep down and have been wanting for a long time.
Dog ownership isnât a cake walk, and it will be exponentially difficult if you arenât happy doing it. However, really loving your dog and seeing it as an extension of yourself will make things so much easier and will provide you with so much happiness over the years of ownership.
So, if you know in your heart of hearts that you want a dog and that you can provide it with everything that it needs and nothing less, signing the adoption paperwork is the only next logical step. Giving a shelter dog a second chance at life is something incredible thatÂ
I found this very helpful I will use this for whenever I take care and take in a pet such as dogs or cats
Hey Royell, glad you like the resource and find it useful đ