Getting a dog in Outbound is one of those goals the game never explains but absolutely rewards. The dog visible on the starting screen is not just decoration, and plenty of players spend their first hours wondering how to actually get one. The short answer: you cannot do it on the first map. You need to progress to the second region, find a specific pet shop, and make a permanent choice between four different dogs. Here is everything you need to know.
Can you get a dog in Outbound?
Yes, but not right away. Dogs are unavailable on the starting map, The Outdoors, so do not waste time searching there. The adoption location only becomes accessible after you unlock the second map, The Coast. Think of getting a dog as a mid-game milestone rather than a day-one task, and focus on general progression until the path opens up.
Paws & Whiskers Lodge entrance
How to unlock The Coast
Reaching The Coast requires a specific chain of progression steps on The Outdoors map. Skipping any of them means the tunnel stays blocked.
- Obtain and build the Pickaxe II recipe.
- Locate the blocked tunnel near the far northeast corner of The Outdoors map. It sits high on a steep hill.
- Upgrade your van so it can handle steep inclines before attempting the drive up.
- Use the upgraded Pickaxe to break the rocks blocking the tunnel entrance.
- Drive your van through the cleared tunnel to enter The Coast.
You can travel back through the tunnel at any point, so there is no pressure to finish everything in one region before moving on.
Upgrade your van for steep terrain before heading to the northeast tunnel. Without the right upgrades, you cannot reach the tunnel entrance at all, even if your Pickaxe II is ready.
How to find the Paws & Whiskers Lodge
Once you arrive at The Coast, the path to the pet shop is straightforward. Follow the starting path through the wooded section of the region. When the forest opens up to the coastal area, look to your right. A large wooden sign marks the Paws & Whiskers Lodge. Walk under the sign, follow the path to its end, and enter the small pet shop building. Head through the back door to reach the yard where the dogs are waiting.
How to adopt a dog in Outbound
Approach each dog in the yard to get a look at them. When you have made your decision, face the dog you want and press the button shown next to the "Choose Companion" prompt (the exact button varies by platform but is always displayed on screen). You will then be asked to enter a name for your new companion. Once you confirm with the Adopt option, the dog is yours permanently.
Your choice of dog is final. Once you adopt, you cannot switch to a different one, so take a moment to look at all four before committing.
What are all the dogs in Outbound?
There are four dogs available at the Paws & Whiskers Lodge. Each dog has a different coat and eye color combination, but they share the same shape and grant identical abilities after adoption. The decision comes down entirely to personal preference on appearance.
The specific coat and eye color details for each individual dog are not documented in available sources. Inspect all four in the yard before choosing, since the visual difference is the only distinguishing factor.
You also pick the dog's name at adoption. That name sticks, so if you care about what you call your companion, have one ready before you press Adopt.
How many dogs can you have?
Each player account is limited to one dog. In multiplayer, though, every player in the group can adopt their own dog independently. With up to four players in a session, that means a full squad can have four dogs along for the trip, one per person.
What do dogs actually do in Outbound?
Dogs are not just cosmetic. From the moment you adopt one, your companion can carry items, which adds extra storage capacity while you are out exploring away from the van. As you invest time in training your dog, additional abilities unlock:
- Fetching items found during exploration
- Carrying items back to the van so you can deposit them without making the trip yourself
- General interaction options like feeding and petting
The training investment makes dogs genuinely useful for resource gathering runs, particularly once they can haul materials back to the vehicle on their own.
Outbound Guide: How to Get a Dog
Is getting a dog worth the effort?
Given that reaching The Coast already requires building Pickaxe II and upgrading your van, the dog is a natural reward for meaningful progression rather than a grind detour. The extra carry capacity alone is useful, and the trained fetch abilities remove a genuine friction point from resource loops. For a simulation games fan who enjoys optimizing their setup, the dog slots right into that loop.
For more tips on making the most of your time in the game, check out the full Outbound guides collection on GAMES.GG.