New Puppy Checklist For Your Labrador Puppy
You’ve decided on a Labrador puppy, are counting down the days until your furry friend is born, and thinking about what items you should have on hand… This New Puppy Checklist will help ensure your new Escalante pup has everything they need for a healthy and happy start, these are the essential items we recommend for our puppy families…
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New Puppy Checklist #1. High-Quality Puppy Food
A nutritious diet is crucial for the growth and development of your Labrador puppy. Look for high-quality large breed puppy food specifically formulated or an all life stages food. These foods typically have the right balance of protein, fats, and essential nutrients to support healthy growth in larger breed dogs. We avoid brands with fillers, artificial preservatives, colors and corn, wheat or soy. We typically use the Wholesomes Brand available at Tractor Supply or Chewys, and send home a sample/transition bag home with your Labrador puppy. Other high quality brands to check out are Blue Buffalo and Wellness brand.
2. Food and Water Bowls
Invest in sturdy, non-tip food and water bowls as part of your new puppy checklist. We think Stainless steel bowls are a great choice as they are durable and easy to clean. Some dogs may develop “acne” around their mouths due to allergies to plastic and bacteria that can build up in plastic bowls, so we recommend using stainless steel as far as possible.
For the ‘inhaler’ in the family… Here’s a slow feeder bowl to help him taste that kibble and feel like he ate something when he’s done! Side note: your pup may think this bowl doubles as a chew toy (or he may want to destroy it after his first slow feed) either way remove after feeding. This bowl is plastic but is BPA, PVC, lead, and phthalate free.
Invest in sturdy, non-tip food and water bowls as part of your new puppy checklist. We think Stainless steel bowls are a great choice as they are durable and easy to clean. Some dogs may develop “acne” around their mouths due to allergies to plastic and bacteria that can build up in plastic bowls, so we recommend using stainless steel as far as possible.
For the ‘inhaler’ in the family… Here’s a slow feeder bowl to help him taste that kibble and feel like he ate something when he’s done! Side note: your pup may think this bowl doubles as a chew toy (or he may want to destroy it after his first slow feed) either way remove after feeding. This bowl is plastic but is BPA, PVC, lead, and phthalate free.
3. Crate for your Labrador Puppy
New Puppy Checklist
A crate serves multiple purposes and is an essential for your new puppy checklist. It provides a safe space for your Labrador puppy, aids in house training, and helps prevent destructive behavior when you’re not home. Crate training is an essential part of your puppy’s early training, even if you don’t plan for her to sleep in her crate at night long term. Choose a crate that is large enough for your Labrador puppy to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. We recommend purchasing a crate with a divider so you can adjust the space as your puppy grows. Too large of a crate and you risk the puppy using one side as a toilet, too small and well you know.
This collapsible crate with divider will be large enough for your pup once she is full grown and this plush crate pad makes the crate cozy.
4. Cozy Dog Bed
This comfortable bed for your Labrador puppy ensures have their own cozy space for rest and relaxation and should be on your new puppy checklist. Choose a bed that is large enough for a growing pup and provides good support. This bed has a removable, washable cover to make cleaning easier, and this fuzzy throw/blanket is a great addition.
This comfortable bed for your Labrador puppy ensures have their own cozy space for rest and relaxation and should be on your new puppy checklist. Choose a bed that is large enough for a growing pup and provides good support. This bed has a removable, washable cover to make cleaning easier, and this fuzzy throw/blanket is a great addition.
5. Collar and Leash
A sturdy collar and leash are essential for walks and training. Look for a flat collar with a quick-release buckle and an ID tag that includes your contact information. At 8 weeks old our English lab puppies are typically measuring 10” around the neck. Here is an inexpensive adjustable first collar for your new pup. For the leash, a standard nylon or leather leash about 6 feet long is ideal for training and daily walks. Training your Labrador puppy to walk by your side right from the start lays the best foundation. We do not recommend using extendable leashes, as they can promote pulling. Longer leashes give your dog more leverage against you and lead them to feel like they’re exploring independently rather than with you.
A sturdy collar and leash are essential for walks and training. Look for a flat collar with a quick-release buckle and an ID tag that includes your contact information. At 8 weeks old our English lab puppies are typically measuring 10” around the neck. Here is an inexpensive adjustable first collar for your new pup. For the leash, a standard nylon or leather leash about 6 feet long is ideal for training and daily walks. Training your Labrador puppy to walk by your side right from the start lays the best foundation. We do not recommend using extendable leashes, as they can promote pulling. Longer leashes give your dog more leverage against you and lead them to feel like they’re exploring independently rather than with you.
6. New Puppy Checklist: Toys for Chewing and Play
Your Labrador puppy will LOVE to chew, so providing him with plenty of toys is essential. Look for durable toys that can withstand their strong jaws. Stuffable rubber toys, rope toys, and chew bones can keep your Labrador puppy entertained and help with teething. Be sure to promptly replace and upgrade to more aggressive rated chew toys as your pup grows. I do not recommend rawhide as it is indigestible and I’ve had problems with dogs swallowing large pieces of it. Bully sticks and antler chews are great healthy alternatives and dogs love them!
7. Training Supplies for you Labrador Puppy.
Training your Labrador puppy is crucial for their development. This video outlines 5 Essential Tips For 8-12 Week Old Puppies.
Enrolling in a puppy training class can also be beneficial, especially if this is your first puppy. English Labrador puppies are intelligent, forgiving, and eager to please, which is why they are wonderful dogs for first time puppy owners and families with children. Their demeanor makes them relatively easy to train with positive reinforcement, but as with any dog, laying the groundwork for positive habits early on is essential. High value treat such as these little nutritious bites from Zukes are a favorite with our dogs during training sessions.
Training your Labrador puppy is crucial for their development. This video outlines 5 Essential Tips For 8-12 Week Old Puppies.
Enrolling in a puppy training class can also be beneficial, especially if this is your first puppy. English Labrador puppies are intelligent, forgiving, and eager to please, which is why they are wonderful dogs for first time puppy owners and families with children. Their demeanor makes them relatively easy to train with positive reinforcement, but as with any dog, laying the groundwork for positive habits early on is essential. High value treat such as these little nutritious bites from Zukes are a favorite with our dogs during training sessions.
8. Grooming Supplies
Regular grooming is important for your Labrador puppy’s health. We use a shedding blade in the spring and fall shedding times, and a rubber grooming mitt for weekly grooms to help remove loose fur and reduce shedding. We recommend brushing your puppy’s teeth weekly starting with this fun teether brush. As they get older you can buy a specialized doggie toothbrush or just use a regular medium bristled tooth brush. If you rather not brush their teeth we love this pet oral gel spray as it works wonders on dissolving tooth plaque and does not require brushing! Apply 2-3x week or make a habit of spraying it on your pups teeth before bedtime!
Regular grooming is important for your Labrador puppy’s health. We use a shedding blade in the spring and fall shedding times, and a rubber grooming mitt for weekly grooms to help remove loose fur and reduce shedding. We recommend brushing your puppy’s teeth weekly starting with this fun teether brush. As they get older you can buy a specialized doggie toothbrush or just use a regular medium bristled tooth brush. If you rather not brush their teeth we love this pet oral gel spray as it works wonders on dissolving tooth plaque and does not require brushing! Apply 2-3x week or make a habit of spraying it on your pups teeth before bedtime!
9. ID and Microchip
Make sure your Labrador puppy has proper identification. A collar with an ID tag is essential, this ID tag slides over your pup’s collar. We offer complimentary microchipping for your new puppy, you will just need to register your puppy through Buddy ID to make sure your information comes up correctly should your puppy ever get lost and need to be identified through microchip scanning.
Make sure your Labrador puppy has proper identification. A collar with an ID tag is essential, this ID tag slides over your pup’s collar. We offer complimentary microchipping for your new puppy, you will just need to register your puppy through Buddy ID to make sure your information comes up correctly should your puppy ever get lost and need to be identified through microchip scanning.
10. Health Supplies
Ensure you have on hand some basic health supplies such a first aid kit specifically for pets, and styptic powder. It is not uncommon to nick your squirmy puppy’s 'quick' when trimming toe nails and this powder will stop bleeding fast. Schedule a veterinary check-up within 72 hours after bringing your puppy home for your vet to preform a wellness check and discuss vaccinations and preventative care.
Ensure you have on hand some basic health supplies such a first aid kit specifically for pets, and styptic powder. It is not uncommon to nick your squirmy puppy’s 'quick' when trimming toe nails and this powder will stop bleeding fast. Schedule a veterinary check-up within 72 hours after bringing your puppy home for your vet to preform a wellness check and discuss vaccinations and preventative care.
11. Baby Gates
To keep your Labrador puppy safe and contained, consider purchasing baby gates as part of your new puppy checklist for your home. These can help limit access to certain areas, such as stairs or off-limits rooms, while your puppy is still learning the house rules and being potty trained. We like these adjustable gates that require no installation and can be easily moved. If you can't or don't like stepping over the gate there are many options that can be installed that offer swinging gate openings.
To keep your Labrador puppy safe and contained, consider purchasing baby gates as part of your new puppy checklist for your home. These can help limit access to certain areas, such as stairs or off-limits rooms, while your puppy is still learning the house rules and being potty trained. We like these adjustable gates that require no installation and can be easily moved. If you can't or don't like stepping over the gate there are many options that can be installed that offer swinging gate openings.
We hope this new puppy checklist has been helpful and a time saver for you as you gather the essentials before bringing home your new furry friend. We are so excited you have chosen to embark on the journey of puppyhood and dog ownership with an Escalante pup! Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any more questions.