How to use Good Dog to find your dream dog

Thinking of adding a puppy to your home? Whether you’ve got your heart set on a cream-colored Dachshund or you’re just browsing until the time feels right, Good Dog is here to help you find your puppy in a safe and simplified way. We connect you directly with our trusted network of breeders, shelters, and rescues.

Here’s how it works:

1. Search our trusted nationwide network

Explore our nationwide network of trusted breeders, shelters, and rescues who meet our standards. You can filter by breed, color, gender, health testing, and location to find your match. With the Good Dog app, it’s easy to take your search with you, get real-time updates, and message breeders directly in one place.

When you spot a puppy or breeder you’re interested in, click their card to learn more. You’ll find details about the puppy, the breeder’s program, parent dogs, health testing, transportation options, and reviews from Good Dog owners.

Liz Kaplan, who brought home a Dachshund named Hopper through Good Dog, said,

Every breeder on Good Dog is personally screened by our team to meet our veterinary-backed standards. These standards evaluate breeders based on health, behavior, environment, and owner support, so you can rest assured you’re searching and connecting with breeders who have been evaluated by our team for responsible breeding practices.

2. Start communicating

There’s no middleman at Good Dog, so once you find a dog or breeder you’re interested in, you’ll communicate directly with them online or in the Good Dog app. Select “Request more info” to reach out to a breeder. You’ll fill out an application, ask questions, and start getting to know each other. From there, your breeder will guide you through next steps.

3. Put down your deposit

After you and your breeder select the right puppy, they may request a deposit to reserve your spot. You'll complete your deposit on Good Dog's secure payment platform and work together to plan pick-up. At this stage, your breeder will likely start sending you regular updates about your puppy, like vet checks and socialization milestones.

You can also discuss transportation options if needed, such as flight nannies or ground transport, which you can explore on their profile or discuss directly during your conversations.

4. Complete final payment

Once you’ve reserved your puppy, your breeder will let you know when it’s time to complete the final payment. All payments must be completed on Good Dog for your safety, and every transaction is backed by our Good Dog Guarantee, which protects your transaction and ensures our team of Care Specialists is here to support you every step of the way.

Your payment options on Good Dog:

• Pay securely online or through our app—you’ll find the payment tab in your breeder message thread.
• Pay in person with a QR code generated by your breeder.
• If paying over time works better for you, choose a Good Dog breeder who offers installment payments through Klarna.

With the prevalence of scammers and bad actors, many Good Dog owners feel protected by the security of Good Dog’s payment system. Bobbie R., who brought home her puppy Duke from Cool Hand Luke Kennels in February 2025, shared:

Once your final payment is complete, you’ll unlock access to our Puppy Training Program—a comprehensive guide for raising your puppy and a private community of Good Dog owners, led by our CPDT-KA certified trainer, Abbey Johnson.

Ask questions, share photos, join live coaching calls, and connect with other puppy parents. You’ll also get exclusive discounts from our partners—Chewy, Rover, BarkBox, and more—and 10% off pet insurance for life.

4. Pick-up day is here

It’s time to hit the road! Whether you're meeting a flight nanny at the airport, driving to your breeder’s home, or coordinating a meetup, pick-up day is often spent in transit. It's an exciting day filled with anticipation, and your breeder will make sure your puppy is ready for the journey home. It might be helpful to start puppy-proofing your house before you bring home your new best friend.

5. Support post pick-up day

After pick-up day, you'll embark on the exciting journey of puppyhood. The first months at home are filled with adorable milestones and meaningful moments, along with natural learning curves for both you and your puppy. It's completely normal to experience a mix of joy and occasional uncertainty during this adjustment period. The Puppy Training Program is a great resource for connecting with other owners and getting guidance on training.

Tracie Liquigan, a Dachshund owner who got her puppy from Little Paws Dachshunds in California, said the Puppy Training Program brought her comfort and support:

Support from Good Dog and your breeder doesn’t end once you have your puppy in your arms. If you find yourself with questions or in need of guidance post pick-up day, there’s a whole team of Care Specialists here at Good Dog to support you every step of the way.

6. Not ready to commit? No worries!

If you're still in the browsing stage or keeping your eye on a specific breeder without current availability, that's okay. You can 'favorite' a breeder's program by tapping the heart icon next to their program name or on a puppy photo. This allows you to get notified of new updates and keep track of your favorites in one spot. Additionally, you can sign up for breed alerts in the Good Dog app and receive notifications when puppies from your favorite breeds become available near you.

No two puppy journeys are exactly alike—each Good Dog home has an experience tailored to their needs. Our community of owners have all the support, resources, and guidance they need to navigate the exciting puppy search process and embrace the adventure of puppyhood that awaits after pick-up day.

Still have questions? Email our team at help@gooddog.com or give us a call at 855-446-6336.