I am working on a list of supplies/products I need to order before we get our new lab puppy on the 25th and looking for some help. Here is what I have so far: Dog Crate - Already have it from previous lab. It's big since our full-size lab use to stay in it. Puppy Food - Need to contact breeder to see what they use. Will probably change once we get her (gradually) so open to suggestions. Currently give our lab now Kirkland Signature Nature's Domain Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato Dog Food (which I believe is rebranded Taste of the Wild). Dog Treats - Currently give our lab Milk-Bone treats but open to suggestions. Collar - Need to order one. Any specific suggestions? Harness? Leash - Have a 6' nylon leash. Probably need a retractable, long one. Food and water bowl - Will need new ones. Have a slow feed bowl (with pattern inside) for our current lab because she eats so fast. Also thinking about open feed? Toys - Need to get some since we only have a few (our old lab doesn't chew much anymore) Toothbrush and toothpaste - Need sugguestions Brush - Currently have Furminator deshedding tool. Nail clippers - Currently have Bamboo nail clippers Bed - Need one Vehicle restraint system - Need suggestions What am I missing? Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Seems like you have everything maybe add some puppy pads, puppy shampoo, and puppy wipes. For the collar look into a Nightingale collar or just a regular collar harnesses are bad ideas for puppies it teaches them to pull on the leash and until you have a good recall a retractable leash isn’t really important/necessary
I think you're missing a whistle, a pouch for training treats, a clicker and a book like Pippa's Labrador Handbook. Retractable leads are horrible things that train dogs to pull. I really like harnesses for older dogs that haven't been trained to walk nicely on lead - the right harness will definitely not encourage pulling. I don't think you need one for a puppy unless you need it for car travel or to use with a long line for recall training.
Congratulations on your new puppy! Here at HQ we disagree with the previous poster about harnesses being bad for puppies. There's no evidence at all that they encourage dogs to pull, and they're far safer than attaching a lead to a collar, because they don't put all the pressure from reaching the end of the lead onto the delicate soft tissues at the front of the throat. We teach our own puppies to love their harnesses from day one, and use them throughout their training. Ruffwear Everyday Harnesses are our favourite We'd also much rather see puppies wearing a standard collar and taught to walk on a loose leash using lots of rewards, than wearing a martingale collar, which is designed to work as a punishment for pulling. I do agree with leaving the retractable lead on the shelf though, but this time from a safety point of view. The locking mechanisms are horribly prone to failing, which means a dogs can pull away from you and into danger even though you had it on the shortest setting. I know a pup who lost a leg when they tries to dash across a road and the sudden force broke the locking mechanism, and they got hit by a car (only a Bichon Frise - it doesn't take a lot of sudden force!) The last thing I'd recommend is call your vet now to see if they'll be open for routine new puppy check ups and continuation of vaccine schedules when your puppy comes home. Some clinics around here have been forced to shut for anything except emergency treatment. Good luck and show us a pic when your puppy comes home!
I definitely didn't want to imply you shouldn't use a harness on puppies - just that it might not be essential in the early days. I agree that getting a puppy used to wearing one would be a really good idea, eg put it on for meals and take it off again so they associate it with good things.
https://andreaarden.com/dog-training/spot-the-difference-front-clip-versus-back-clip-harnesses/ Harnesses can teach pulling on leads because it allows them to pull using their chest coming from someone who’s owned countless giant breed dogs and Rottweilers I can tell you a harness is horrible for teaching leash manners. I see nothing wrong using a harness on a dog that is already trained to not pull. But a puppy no way I just watched a elderly couple getting pulled around by their golden retriever puppy with a harness on with a collar like a martingale collar that pulling would have been a nonissue. The only use for Harnesses is for confining your dog in the car.
Regarding harnesses, there is no overnight fix to walking on a loose leash. So it's important to keep your puppy safe while they learn that skill. And harnesses are the best way to do that, as collars strain their necks. We recommend front attaching harness for puppies that can't yet walk on the leash to heel. You can read more about why here.
Thanks all for the suggestions. Any idea what size harness (thinking the Ruffwear Everyday Harness) and collar (I am going to order both) for a 7.5 week old lab pup? I want to order ahead of time.
I have always always used harnesses. It you look up Grisha Steward for BAT protocols. She is fab at teaching loose leash skills!
