Before you scoop up the dog of your dreams, you’ll need to stock the house full of everything your new four-legged housemate is going to need. Start with this checklist for first-week essentials.

• Bowls - You know the drill; one for food and another for water.
• Daily food and treats - Ask your local vet for recommendations depending on your new pooch’s breed. Start off with a smaller bag in case she’s a fussy eater and you need to make a switch
• Collar - If you’re adopting from a shelter, Fido will probably come microchipped. However, you’ll also want to attach tags to his collar with his name and your phone number.
• Leash - Many pet-friendly establishments only allow dogs on a six-foot leash, so keep that in mind when making your selection.
• Crate - Useful in training for separation, sleeping and to teach your dog a little independence.
• Dog Bed - plush, fluffy, or sturdy? Where your new pooch lays her head should be up to you (unless you want her to invade your sleeping space.)
• Toys - Grab a few and see which ones tickle your dog’s fancy.
• Canine First Aid Kit - You never know when you might need it.
• Dog Waste Bags - This one needs no explanation.

Now that you have the essentials, it’s time to make sure the rest of the house is up to scratch (or resistant to it). Unless you’ve got a hypoallergenic pooch, fur is about to find its way into every nook and cranny in your home. Fortunately, companies like Burrow and LoveSac have created easily washable, scratch- and stain-resistant furniture for the house. You might also want to install a dog gate to separate Fido’s territory from no-go zones. Finally, make sure food is kept out of reach and family heirlooms aren’t on low shelves.

If your new pal has been living at the shelter for a while, going home with a stranger might prove a little stressful. Don’t go throwing a raucous party for him upon arrival. Instead, take him on a casual tour of the house and let him explore by your side on a leash. It’ll be tempting to scream with excitement when he sniffs his new bed for the first time, but try to keep random noises to a minimum.

Your dog needs to know where she stands. Literally, if you don’t want her trampling your prized rose garden. Decide on the right time for feeding, walking and playtime to help your new best friend stay calm and get used to life at home. This will help reduce anxiety and let your pup acclimate to a new environment.

Nobody said welcoming a dog into your life was going to be cheap, but it’s worth every penny. The average household spends between $400-700 annually on dogs, which includes food and other items. Set up Fido’s own health savings account and consider investing in pet insurance to avoid being hit with a huge bill if he gets sick.

It’s a dog eat dog world out there, but hopefully not inside your house. Introduce your new pooch to any other furry family members on a leash first, and in a neutral space to prevent anybody getting territorial. Shelters will often provide a space for other pets to meet possible new siblings and make sure everybody gets along.

Set apart a few days for you and your dog to get to know each other and start the basics of training. Start with crate training, a useful practice especially if you’re going to have to leave your new pooch alone in the house for an extended period. Separation anxiety is very real, both for humans and dogs! Get your pup used to the idea by following these home-alone tips. You can also begin training for travel around the house. If training doesn’t go exactly as planned at first, go easy on your pooch. Positive reinforcement has been proven to work much better than aggression. They may not remember having an accident in the house or why they ran away in the first place, so smile and create a happy atmosphere for improvement.

According to Orvis, around one in 10 dogs are returned within six months of adoption. This is often due to a lack of preparation and understanding of the commitments involved. Sure, furry friends can be hard work, costly and time consuming. But the loyalty and companionship they give us in return is priceless.

There’s nothing quite like taking your pup on the road with you. Whether you’re looking for pet-friendly accommodations, restaurants, activities or services, our iOS or Android app makes it easy for you to find what you (and Fido) are looking for. You can even upload your pup’s health records for one-touch access whenever you need them.