Learn from my trial and errors, here are suggested supplies with their pros and cons....
All the following suggestions have links to Amazon (I love Prime!) so you can get supplies shipped straight to your home!!
TRAINING BOOKS
Super Puppy
How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With
There is a Puppy in the House
Your Labrador Retriever Puppy Month to Month
**Avoid all books by Cesar Millan. The man has archaic training philosophies that have been proven wrong. I would never let one of my dogs be touched by him.**
BOWLS & BUCKETS - Stainless Steel, ceramic or glass are the only things dogs should be fed/watered out of. Plastic is highly discouraged!
Bella Bowls - these are the bowls I use. They are stainless steel on the inside and plastic on the outside with cute patterns on them. Easily replaced if chewed. The medium fits up to 2 cups of food. The large fits 3 or more cups of food.
SS Bucket - 2 quart is great for in the crate or x-pen, 4 quart or larger is great for outside.
FOOD & SUPPLEMENTS
ProPlan Sport 30/20.
Probiotic Max from Nature's Farmacy - Every dog in my care gets this in their breakfast every day.
Salmon Oil - I've use both capsules and liquid salmon oil for my dogs. Currently, I get the costco brand fish oil.
CONTAINMENT
You have two choices for the home:
Wire (Collapsible) Crates
Pros - can be folded and put away, can be purchased for adult size and still be used for puppies with the provided divider.
Cons - can be used for travel but does not protect in a car accident like a vari-kennel can, toes can get caught going in and out.
The linked crate is the 36" which is plenty big for girls. Boy's might need the next size up once fully mature.
Vari or Plastic Kennels
Pros - if using for travel, safest option for the car or truck, can also be used for airline travel
Cons - Can not be stored as easily as a wire crate, must be purchased in different sizes as a puppy grows as there are no dividers available
Soft Side Collapsible Crate - Noz2Noz is my favorite brand
Pros - great for travel for in the hotel room or at a friend or families home
Cons - Dogs MUST BE crate trained and NOT have separation anxiety as these crates are easily destroyed from the inside!
Exercise Pens - Both come in a variety of heights.
Folding - Can be folded up and put away similar to a wire crate in size and shape.
Drop Pin - Has many pieces, must be assembled to be used BUT it is much more sturdy than a folding x-pen.
LEASHES & COLLARS
Harnesses - No, just no. Unless you are under medical directions from your veterinarian, NO HARNESSES. They do not stop a dog from pulling on the leash, training stops a dog from pulling on the leash.
Flexi-Leads - Except in rare, very specific cases, NO FLEXIs ever. If you are in an isolated area where you will not meet up with another person or another dog then using a flexi lead can be understood. Places where it is absolutely NOT OK to use a flexi: a) on a walk in any populated area, b) at the vet clinic, c) in a pet store, d) anywhere you will meet up with other people, e) anywhere you will meet up with another animal f) walking your dog on the sidewalk next to a road.uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
Collars
Martingale Collars are my favorite. And the best source is All Hounds Apparel with several options and life time guarantee even if chewed!!
Pinch Collars - Only to be used IF NEEDED and only to be on when actively being used and then removed and put away. This version linked has a quick release to make removal easier.
Leashes - If with a collar then any simple nylon leash is best, no need for a double thickness or chain leash. If you are not using a collar then a slip lead works wonderfully!
Slip Leads - if you opt for a slip lead, one of the best out there is the Mendota brand.
TOYS (Not consumable!) - It is always wise to supervise your dogs while playing with ANY toy or chew! Also - any kind of non-consumable chew toy runs the risk of a broken tooth but if dogs don't have something they CAN chew on they will find something anyway. Sometimes the risk is worth it since it saves your shoes and your remote control, and your walls, and your.....
Kong makes a lot of great toys! The following is a list of different toys and how they can be used!
Jumbler Ball - Great outdoor toy but don't let it sit in the sun and whatever you do, don't kick it like a soccer ball...OUCH!!
Classic Kong - Great toy to be stuffed and has an unpredictable bounce that dogs love.
Kong Wubba - Another toys that is great for fetch and tug.
Chuck-it - Throw that ball farther....and you don't have to touch the slime as it get coated!
Nylabones - Great for chewing and yes they can break teeth but sometimes you gotta pick your battles, either give them something to chew on or they will find their own things to chew on.
CHEWS (Consumable) - It is always wise to keep your dog under closer supervision while they are chewing on consumable treats, they do decrease in size and can become either a choking hazard or a possible obstruction.
Himalayan Dog Chew - these are a type of HARD yak milk cheese. When the dog has gnawed it to a small piece you can microwave and make it a soft puff treat so there is no wastage.
Red Barn Knuckle Bones (White) - These are great to help keep teeth clean. If the dogs are voracious chewers then limit their time with them, they can cause constipation and throw away if they get small enough to get pieces/chunks off. The link is to a package of 5 which will last most people forever but I have dogs that can chew through 1 of these in less than a week so it's not always a bad idea to have extra.
Cow Ears - There are plain as well as these bully coated ears, either are less fat than pig ears which is why I like them.
Bully Sticks - This link is to 7" sticks, they come larger which is recommended as your puppy grows.
JUST FOR WHEN THEY ARE BABIES
Nylabone Teething Ring
Flexi Chew Regular Triple Pack
Nylabone Healthy Edibles - The link is for the 'wolf' size but they come larger which is great as the puppy grows.
Beef Tendon - Again this is a multiple piece package but puppies and even adults love these and they don't last forever but great for when they are teething.
Hare Ears - these are also low fat and easy for babies to chew.
Beef Gullet Sticks
Whimzees
TRAINING BOOKS
Super Puppy
How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With
There is a Puppy in the House
Your Labrador Retriever Puppy Month to Month
**Avoid all books by Cesar Millan. The man has archaic training philosophies that have been proven wrong. I would never let one of my dogs be touched by him.**
BOWLS & BUCKETS - Stainless Steel, ceramic or glass are the only things dogs should be fed/watered out of. Plastic is highly discouraged!
Bella Bowls - these are the bowls I use. They are stainless steel on the inside and plastic on the outside with cute patterns on them. Easily replaced if chewed. The medium fits up to 2 cups of food. The large fits 3 or more cups of food.
SS Bucket - 2 quart is great for in the crate or x-pen, 4 quart or larger is great for outside.
FOOD & SUPPLEMENTS
ProPlan Sport 30/20.
Probiotic Max from Nature's Farmacy - Every dog in my care gets this in their breakfast every day.
Salmon Oil - I've use both capsules and liquid salmon oil for my dogs. Currently, I get the costco brand fish oil.
CONTAINMENT
You have two choices for the home:
Wire (Collapsible) Crates
Pros - can be folded and put away, can be purchased for adult size and still be used for puppies with the provided divider.
Cons - can be used for travel but does not protect in a car accident like a vari-kennel can, toes can get caught going in and out.
The linked crate is the 36" which is plenty big for girls. Boy's might need the next size up once fully mature.
Vari or Plastic Kennels
Pros - if using for travel, safest option for the car or truck, can also be used for airline travel
Cons - Can not be stored as easily as a wire crate, must be purchased in different sizes as a puppy grows as there are no dividers available
Soft Side Collapsible Crate - Noz2Noz is my favorite brand
Pros - great for travel for in the hotel room or at a friend or families home
Cons - Dogs MUST BE crate trained and NOT have separation anxiety as these crates are easily destroyed from the inside!
Exercise Pens - Both come in a variety of heights.
Folding - Can be folded up and put away similar to a wire crate in size and shape.
Drop Pin - Has many pieces, must be assembled to be used BUT it is much more sturdy than a folding x-pen.
LEASHES & COLLARS
Harnesses - No, just no. Unless you are under medical directions from your veterinarian, NO HARNESSES. They do not stop a dog from pulling on the leash, training stops a dog from pulling on the leash.
Flexi-Leads - Except in rare, very specific cases, NO FLEXIs ever. If you are in an isolated area where you will not meet up with another person or another dog then using a flexi lead can be understood. Places where it is absolutely NOT OK to use a flexi: a) on a walk in any populated area, b) at the vet clinic, c) in a pet store, d) anywhere you will meet up with other people, e) anywhere you will meet up with another animal f) walking your dog on the sidewalk next to a road.uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
Collars
Martingale Collars are my favorite. And the best source is All Hounds Apparel with several options and life time guarantee even if chewed!!
Pinch Collars - Only to be used IF NEEDED and only to be on when actively being used and then removed and put away. This version linked has a quick release to make removal easier.
Leashes - If with a collar then any simple nylon leash is best, no need for a double thickness or chain leash. If you are not using a collar then a slip lead works wonderfully!
Slip Leads - if you opt for a slip lead, one of the best out there is the Mendota brand.
TOYS (Not consumable!) - It is always wise to supervise your dogs while playing with ANY toy or chew! Also - any kind of non-consumable chew toy runs the risk of a broken tooth but if dogs don't have something they CAN chew on they will find something anyway. Sometimes the risk is worth it since it saves your shoes and your remote control, and your walls, and your.....
Kong makes a lot of great toys! The following is a list of different toys and how they can be used!
Jumbler Ball - Great outdoor toy but don't let it sit in the sun and whatever you do, don't kick it like a soccer ball...OUCH!!
Classic Kong - Great toy to be stuffed and has an unpredictable bounce that dogs love.
Kong Wubba - Another toys that is great for fetch and tug.
Chuck-it - Throw that ball farther....and you don't have to touch the slime as it get coated!
Nylabones - Great for chewing and yes they can break teeth but sometimes you gotta pick your battles, either give them something to chew on or they will find their own things to chew on.
CHEWS (Consumable) - It is always wise to keep your dog under closer supervision while they are chewing on consumable treats, they do decrease in size and can become either a choking hazard or a possible obstruction.
Himalayan Dog Chew - these are a type of HARD yak milk cheese. When the dog has gnawed it to a small piece you can microwave and make it a soft puff treat so there is no wastage.
Red Barn Knuckle Bones (White) - These are great to help keep teeth clean. If the dogs are voracious chewers then limit their time with them, they can cause constipation and throw away if they get small enough to get pieces/chunks off. The link is to a package of 5 which will last most people forever but I have dogs that can chew through 1 of these in less than a week so it's not always a bad idea to have extra.
Cow Ears - There are plain as well as these bully coated ears, either are less fat than pig ears which is why I like them.
Bully Sticks - This link is to 7" sticks, they come larger which is recommended as your puppy grows.
JUST FOR WHEN THEY ARE BABIES
Nylabone Teething Ring
Flexi Chew Regular Triple Pack
Nylabone Healthy Edibles - The link is for the 'wolf' size but they come larger which is great as the puppy grows.
Beef Tendon - Again this is a multiple piece package but puppies and even adults love these and they don't last forever but great for when they are teething.
Hare Ears - these are also low fat and easy for babies to chew.
Beef Gullet Sticks
Whimzees