New Puppy Checklist
New Puppy Checklist For Your Labrador Puppy
You’ve chosen a Labrador puppy, and now you’re eagerly awaiting the arrival of your new furry friend. As you prepare for their homecoming, you’re likely wondering what essentials to have on hand. Our New Puppy Checklist is here to help ensure your Escalante pup has everything they need for a healthy, happy beginning. These are the must-have items we recommend for all our puppy families!
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New Puppy Checklist #1. High-Quality Puppy Food
A balanced diet is essential for your Labrador puppy’s growth and development. Choose a high-quality large breed puppy food or an all-life-stages formula. These options usually provide the right balance of protein, fats, and nutrients to support healthy growth in larger dogs. We recommend avoiding brands with fillers, artificial preservatives, colors, and ingredients like corn, wheat, or soy. Our go-to choice is the Wholesomes Brand, available at Tractor Supply or Chewy, and we’ll send a sample/transition bag home with your puppy. Other high quality excellent brands to consider include Blue Buffalo and the Wellness brand.
2. Food and Water Bowls
Be sure to add sturdy, non-tip food and water bowls to your new puppy checklist. We recommend these stainless steel bowls as they’re durable, easy to clean, and a great option to avoid issues like “acne” around your puppy’s mouth, which can occur from allergies to plastic or the bacteria that can buildup on plastic bowls.
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) so be sure to remove after feeding. This bowl is made from plastic but is BPA, PVC, lead, and phthalate free.
3. Crate for your Labrador Puppy
Best New Puppy Checklist for your Labrador Puppy.
A crate is a versatile and essential item on your new puppy checklist. It creates a safe, secure space for your Labrador puppy, supports house training, and helps curb destructive behavior when you’re away. Crate training plays a key role in your puppy’s early development, even if you don’t intend for her to sleep in the crate long-term. Be sure to choose a crate that offers enough room for your puppy to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. We recommend selecting a crate with a divider so you can adjust the space as she grows. A crate that’s too large might encourage her to use one side as a bathroom, while one that’s too small could be uncomfortable. This collapsible crate with a divider will be spacious enough for your pup when she’s fully grown, and this plush crate pad will make it extra cozy.
4. Cozy Dog Bed
This comfy bed for your Labrador puppy provides a cozy spot for rest and relaxation, making it a must-have on your new puppy checklist. Select a bed that offers ample space for your growing pup and provides solid support. This bed features a removable, washable cover for easy cleaning, and this soft throw/blanket makes it even cozier.
5. Collar and Leash
A durable collar and leash are key for walks and training. Choose a flat collar with a quick-release buckle and an ID tag that includes your contact details. At 8 weeks old, our English lab puppies typically measure around 10” in neck circumference. Here is an affordable adjustable first collar for your new pup. For the leash, a standard 6-foot nylon or leather leash is perfect for both training and daily walks. Teaching your Labrador puppy to walk calmly by your side from the beginning sets the best foundation. We recommend avoiding extendable leashes, as they encourage pulling. Longer leashes can give your pup more freedom to pull and make them feel like they’re exploring on their own instead of walking with you.
6. New Puppy Checklist: Toys For Chewing and Play
Your Labrador puppy will love to chew, so it’s important to provide plenty of toys. Look for durable options that can stand up to their strong jaws, like stuffable rubber toys, rope toys, and chew bones, which will keep your puppy entertained and help with teething. As your pup grows, be sure to replace toys and upgrade to ones rated for more aggressive chewers. I don’t recommend rawhide, as it’s indigestible and can cause problems if swallowed in large pieces. Bully sticks and antler chews are great, healthy alternatives that dogs absolutely love!
7. Training Supplies for your Labrador Puppy.
Training your Labrador puppy is vital for their development. This video covers 5 Essential Tips for 8-12 Week Old Puppies. Enrolling in a puppy training class can also be helpful, especially if it’s your first puppy. English Labrador puppies are intelligent, forgiving, and eager to please, making them great dogs for first-time owners and families with children. Their friendly nature makes them relatively easy to train with positive reinforcement. However, as with any dog, it’s important to establish good habits early on. High-value treats, like these nutritious little bites from Zukes, are a favorite of our dogs during training sessions.
8. Grooming Supplies
Regular grooming is essential for your Labrador puppy’s health. During spring and fall shedding seasons, we use a shedding blade, and for weekly grooming, a rubber grooming mitt helps remove loose fur and minimize shedding. We recommend brushing your puppy’s teeth weekly, starting with this fun teether brush. As they grow, you can switch to a specialized dog toothbrush or simply use a regular medium-bristled toothbrush. We have had great success with this pet oral gel. If you’d prefer not to brush their teeth, we love this oral spray for pets—it works wonders on dissolving plaque and doesn’t require brushing! Apply it 2-3 times a week, or make a habit of spraying it on your pup’s teeth before bedtime!
9. ID and Microchip
Ensure your Labrador puppy has proper identification. A collar with an ID tag is essential, and this ID tag easily slides over your pup’s collar. We also offer complimentary microchipping for your new puppy if desired. Just be sure to register your puppy through Buddy ID so your information is correctly linked in case your puppy ever gets lost and needs to be identified through a microchip scan.
10. Health Supplies
Make sure you have some basic health supplies on hand, such as a pet-specific first aid kit and styptic powder. It’s common to accidentally nick your puppy’s “quick” when trimming their nails, and this powder will stop the bleeding quickly. Be sure to schedule a veterinary check-up within 72 hours of bringing your puppy home. This will allow the vet to perform a wellness exam and discuss vaccinations and preventative care.
11. New Puppy Checklist: Baby Gates!
To keep your Labrador puppy safe and contained, consider adding baby gates to your new puppy checklist. These gates are great for restricting access to areas like stairs or off-limits rooms while your puppy is still learning the house rules and potty training. We recommend these adjustable gates, which require no installation and can be easily moved. If you’d rather not step over the gate, there are plenty of options that can be installed with swinging gate openings for added convenience.
