Whether you’re a first-time dog owner, or revisiting the joy of past dog companionship after years without one, or have fond childhood memories of a loving canine, adopting a dog is a journey filled with excitement and questions. Our guide, Adopting a Dog? What to Know Before and What to Expect After, is tailored specifically for you. It’s an easy to read, 3-step roadmap to preparing for a successful, loving relationship with your new pet.

What’s Inside the Guide?

The 3-Step Roadmap will take you through these key steps from assessing your needs, finding a dog that fits those needs and then setting expectations and preparing yourself and your home for your new dog.

1. Have a Plan: Know what you want in a dog; understanding the cost of dog ownership, and getting your home puppy/dog-proof ready.

2. Choosing Your Dog: The need for breed research, choosing the adoption path that’s right for you — breeder, rescue or shelter. Making sure everyone is on board, family meet and greets, There’s also a special section on adopting a shelter dog.

3. Bringing Your Dog Home: Setting expectations. What to do before your dog comes home, and then when new dog is home.

Why Download Our Guide?

🐾 Practical, Hands-on Experiance and Advice: From someone who’s owned dogs, large and small, puppies to seniors, for close to 35 years.

🐾 Practical Tips: Real-life insights that you may not have thought about, so you can be prepared and know what questions to ask.

🐾 Tailored Content: Whether you’re a newbie or getting reacquainted with dog ownership, our guide speaks directly to your needs so there are no surprises.

And along with your free guide, you can sign up for “Barks & Bytes” community including a weekly update on all things dog — from health to training to breed information and product reviews.