Two stainless steel dishes- one for water and one for food (2.5 quart size). Do not buy plastic or ceramic dishes as they cannot be cleaned well and will harbor bacteria.
An ADJUSTABLE buckle collar, size 18 to 24 inches, which your lab will wear most of the time. Make sure the collar is returnable in case the size is inappropriate for the dog you adopt. You should attach an identification tag with your name and phone number, not the dog's name. The collar should also have attached a current rabies tag and a current dog license for your town. When licensing your dog at the town hall, you should bring a current rabies vaccine document and a spay or neuter certificate.
A six foot leash. Cotton webbing or leather are the most comfortable; nylon may burn the hands when the dog pulls. We do not recommend chain leashes.
Brushes. For maintenance the Ever Gentle slicker brush and a shedding blade work well. Cotton balls to clean out the dog's ears. Dog nail clippers to trim the dog's nails. You may choose to have their nails clipped at the vet or a groomer. Someone who knows how should first instruct you on how to trim the dog's nails.
A crate 24 wide by 36 long by 27 high or a larger crate than this. The crate may be optional and depends on the characteristics of the Lab you adopt. A crate provides a safe den for your lab in his new home and time-out location away for other pets and children. (Children must be taught to respect the crate--it is the dog's private area, not a playhouse.) Crates are a MUST with a puppy.
Toys! Two safe brands are Cressite (hard rubber toys) and Nylabone (long-lasting chew bones). Some Labs also like rope toys (made by Booda). Squeaky toys are not recommended because the dog can tear them apart and swallow the squeaker. Tennis balls are a favorite with Labs, but do not leave him alone with them. Labs have been known to chew and destroy tennis balls, even to the point of swallowing the inner ball and requiring surgery. Similarly, your dog may enjoy a sterilized marrowbone when you are home, but do not leave him alone with it because the bone may splinter. We do not recommend rawhide. It is made by processing animal hides with strong chemicals and rawhide sometimes brings out protective behavior in dogs. Rawhide can also be ingested in large pieces causing choking and major internal problems.
Treats! Most Labs adore treats and will eat anything and everything you give them-- but they shouldn't! Purchase high quality treats (read the ingredients) and hand them out sparingly. Dogs respond to the frequency of treats rather than the size, so purchase the smallest size treats. (Labs put on weight easily and treats are generally high in calories.) As an alternative to dog biscuits, see if your dog will enjoy vegetables (not potatoes), carrots are a great treat.
Food - Since each dog has different feeding requirements, it is best to hold off on purchasing the food until you have adopted your Lab. LRR recommends feeding HIGH QUALITY dry dog food available at pet supply stores.
* At the time of adoption LRR will probably recommend a few more supplies based on the dog's needs.
PLEASE DO NOT PERMIT YOUR LAB TO RUN LOOSE UNLESS HE IS IN A SAFE LOCATION UNDER YOUR DIRECT SUPERVISION. UNLEASHED IS UNLOVED.
