DOG BED

Your pup will love having a comfortable place to call their own within your home. We recommend finding a dog bed that is big enough for your pup to grow into. Support is also a huge factor, so make sure you find a bed with memory foam or other sturdy support. To make your life easier (and your house smell cleaner), get a dog bed that has a removable cover. You’ll want to wash the bed at least every couple week or so. Which brings us to our next item.

LAUNDRY SOAP

Puppies are vulnerable about the chemicals in our environment just as humans are. I love the nontoxic Norwex Laundry Detergent and odor eliminator.

CHEW TOYS (3-5)

Puppies love chewing, especially during their teething stage. If you don’t want them chewing up your sandals then you better get some high-quality chew and tug toys. Chew toys are also great for keeping your puppy’s growing mind stimulated, and even helping to clean their teeth. The more you interact and play with your puppy, the happier they will be. On top of chew toys, you'll want a good toy to use for a game of tug This will be very helpful in training sessions.

 

TOYS FOR FETCH

Exercise is extremely important for a dog’s health, but shouldn’t be overdone for young puppies. Playing fetch can be the perfect amount of exercise for young puppies. Options include just a tennis ball, a frisbee, or anything easily retrievable by your pup.

DOG FOOD

Choosing the right dog food will affect your pup for years to come. We recommend the Diamond naturals large breed puppy. We will be sending along a few sample packs.

SUPPLEMENTS

We recommend the NuVet Plus K9 Wafers for Dogs (nuvetlabs.com)  as a daily supplement to sustain good health and the NuJoint Plus Dog Supplements Wafers (nuvetlabs.com) product for the first two years to help prevent hip dystocia that is common to Labrador retrievers. These can be ordered https://www.nuvet.com by calling 1-800- 474-7044 using order code 488982

 

TREATS

Whether just as a loving snack or for use in training, you will need plenty of treats for your pup. We recommend finding a treat that is easily digested by your pup, and an extremely "high-value" currency.

 I recommend using the NuVet Plus K9 Wafers for Dogs (nuvetlabs.com) using order code 488982 as a dog treat. It does double duty keeping your new furry friend in good health and as a training aid.

 It’s smart to have treats located around your home so you’re prepped and ready for any impromptu training sessions .Just remember that treats should only make up 10-15% or less of your dog's daily caloric intake. So, keep them healthy and don't overdo it!

COLLAR & HARNESS

Note: We will be sending his first collar with him which will give you a few weeks before needing a larger size. Just like with a dog bed, be sure to snag a collar that your pup can grow into (although you may have to buy multiple depending on how big your pup will get). A simple, flat collar is perfect for any pup and their training sessions. For recall and leash training, you'll also want a quality harness for your pup. PRO tip: Get a collar with reflective material because a safe pup is a happy pup.

4-6 FOOT LEASH

What leash you get will depend on the size and energy of your dog. For Lab puppies, it is recommended a 6- foot leash that has a second handle at the 2-foot point of the leash. This allows for a more restricted grasp on our pups as we are teaching leash manners and in other situations where a closer touch is needed On the other hand, you can use  6-foot leashes as well as retractable leashes for  dogs who are calmer and better on a leash. Just make sure you choose a leash that will last a long time and is safe for your pup.

LONG LEAD LEASH FOR TRAINING

In addition to your regular leash, you will want a long lead leash for training sessions and for places like parks and on hikes. Anything over 20 feet is great, just get enough to let your dog roam while still being in control!

KENNEL OR CRATE

Crate training is a vital behavior for your pup to understand. Our personal recommendation is to get a crate with a divider so you can limit the usable space for your pup as they are in the growing stage. Dogs instinctively don’t want to dirty (poop or pee) their living area, so a smaller space can help with that! Also, as your dog grows, you can increase the space available for your pup so you don't have to

buy a brand-new crate. When trained correctly, your dog will learn to love and appreciate their time in a kennel or crate, it becomes their own personal little den!

DOG ID TAGS

Hopefully, it never happens to your pup, BUT dogs often run away or get lost. You can make custom id tags for under $10, a very worthwhile expense. It’s typically best to include your phone number, address, and an email address.

BOWL FOR WATER

Depending on how big your dog is going to be, you may find yourself refilling your dog bowl what seems like every half hour. You can purchase a 4-gallon dispenser that keeps our pups’ bowl filled for Almost a week. Water is a vital part of a dog's health, so make sure to keep it fresh and available for your new puppy.

BOWL FOR FOOD

No matter what you feed your dog, you’ll want a dog bowl that is easy to clean and of course, big enough for your pup’s food! We’ve found stainless to be the easiest to clean. Also, keep in mind the size of your dog and how much you will be feeding your pup when you buy a food bowl and make sure there's enough space for all their grub.

Puppy Training pads

    Potty training isn’t easy, but these training pads will make the job much easier.

CARPET CLEANER

No matter how early you start potty training a puppy, you’re bound to have an accident or two in your house. Arming yourself with a quality carpet cleaner can ensure your living room doesn’t smell like a puddle of puppy pee forever. A favorite here.

NAIL CLIPPERS

You clip your own nails, so why wouldn’t you do the same for your pup? Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed keeps scratches on your skin to a minimum (it’s also bound to happen, even accidentally). Not only that but if a dog’s nails are too long it can cause pain over time. So, keep your dog’s nails trimmed, and use a proper dog nail clipper Just don't clip them too short

SHAMPOO

We all love a cuddly puppy, but one that smells bad, not so much. How often you wash your dog depends on their breed, but a general rule of thumb is to give them a good bath at least once a month. Many dog shampoos help your pup to have a nice shiny coat and healthy skin.  A favorite here.

Complete the dog bath with the pet towel or pet mitt.

 

POOP BAGS

Everybody poops. Especially little puppies. So, get yourself a roll of poop bags for when you go on walks or to the park with your pup. You can even get poop bag holders that hook onto your leash, a must-have for every puppy parent! Make sure you get poop bags that are strong and thick... plus biodegradable!

POOP SCOOPER

If your dog gets to roam in your backyard, having a pooper scooper will save both your back and your lawn.

DOG TOOTHBRUSH

Bad oral hygiene can cause painful and expensive problems down the road for your pup. Brushing your puppy's teeth is a simple task that you won’t regret, because who doesn’t love fresh puppy breath?

 

DOG TOOTHPASTE

Just like your toothbrush, you shouldn’t share your toothpaste with your puppy. Actually, many human kinds of toothpaste include xylitol which is toxic for your pup. So, go buy some toothpaste that’s just for your pup

 

BRUSH OR COMB

Whether you have a dog that sheds or doesn’t, you’ll want a nice comb or brush to keep up with their grooming. I’ve found it is often best to brush your dog right after a bath to remove all the loose hairs.