New Puppy Shopping List

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Amazon Basics Foldable Metal Wire Dog Crate with Tray, Double Door, 42 Inch

Here at Aisling, we always start our puppies out with the crate size they will use until at least two years old on a daily basis.  (After that age, the crate may be used for recovery purposes after an illness or surgery.)   The crates come with a divider that can be used to create a smaller space.

These double door crates allow you to have more options of where to place your puppy's crate - against a wall using the side door or in a corner beside your couch using the end door. 

FXW Rollick Dog Playpen，24"/32"/40"/50" Height for Multiple Sizes of Dog

If you are going to use the Kennel with Crate method during your puppy's transition from our home to yours, this is a good one.  Our litters are raised inside two of these (up to 16 panels depending upon the size of the litter) so your puppy will feel quite at home in one of these.  The Kennel with Crate method allows your puppy to have a safe place outside of their crate to play, eat, drink and adjust to your home during transition. You can get on with chores, take a shower, or read a book and have a cuppa knowing your puppy is safely enclosed.   Later, the kennel can be used during travel or recovery from illness or surgery or just to do yard work (Labs are known for "helping" during gardening!).

Stainless Steel Dog Bowls - one for water and one for food

These dishes are large enough that you won't need to replace them when your puppy becomes an adult.  

You'll notice that there is nothing added to the bottom to prevent slipping - this is intentional.  Labrador's are very mouthy dogs and they will chew off the added non-slip material if left alone long enough to do so.  Better safe than sorry! 

4Health Lamb and Rice Puppy Food - Tractor Supply 

Your puppy has been fed 4Health Lamb and Rice Puppy Food.   This is available with a different protein in the large breed puppy formula (for information on why we do not use Large Breed Puppy Food, please see "Puppy Care").   Stool consistency is an indicator of your dog's health and with this food, our litters have nice, solid stools. (Aisling Labradors does not receive any commission for this product.)

Kirkland Glucosamine Capsules

Glucosamine is a supplement that may protect hips and elbows during the rapid growth period and beyond.  Although it is added to high end dog and puppy foods, it is likely not enough.  As an added assurance, we give a pinch with the morning meal for our puppies beginning between 10 and 12 weeks of age working up to one quarter tsp by about 4 months (16 weeks of age).   The capsule form of this supplement allows us to pour the powder into an air tight container to measure out the portions. 

Kirkland Signature Natural Fish Oil Concentrate with Omega-3 Fatty Acids, 400 Softgels, White

All of our dogs get one of these with breakfast on Monday through Friday.  They help maintain a good coat and healthy skin.  On the weekends, they get a tsp of pure organic Coconut Oil - see below. 

Organic Coconut Oil 2000mg - 100% Extra Virgin Cold Pressed for Weight Support, Skin, Hair, Nails - 120 Softgel Capsules - Arazo Nutrition

A weekend supplement to help maintain healthy coats and skin.  (Reminder, Labradors need a shampoo bath only when the dirt won't rinse off with water from your hose!  Shampoos strip the oils and creates more skin issues than they solve for nearly every Labrador there is!)

Msm Powder Joint Support for Horses, 2 Pound Container

Another good supplement for your rapidly growing puppy.  MSM prevents inflammation which can change a puppy's gait allowing the puppy to place more weight on one side or the other.  Over time, this can wear on the puppy's joints causing damage.  We begin with a pinch in their morning meal working up to 1/4 tsp by 5 - 6 months of age.  Our Labradors get this for life. 

MPP Lamb Chop Dog Toy (Jumbo - 24")

As our litters are transitioning from Mom being in the whelping box with them most of their day to the exercise pen for weaning, we give them a Lamb Chop or two to snuggle up with!  Having one of their own during transition from our home to yours gives them a bit of added security!  They come in different sizes which you can check out by following the link given. 

You'll need to check out Lamb Chop regularly to be sure the puppy isn't chewing on it; with puppies who stay on here at Aisling, we sew it back up and then move from crate time with Lambie to supervised play with him. 

Nylabone Classic Twin Pack Power Chew Flavored Durable Dog Chew Toy Twin Pack Bacon & Chicken Medium/Wolf (2 Count)

Labrador Puppies are Piranha Puppies.  You'll want to provide lots of chewing objects to avoid them damaging your home.  These are amazing and safe toys that your puppy will come to love.  Even our older pack still chew on these (when a puppy is living here, we have to closely watch his/her nylabone or it will be "stolen" by a big one)! 

KONG - Extreme Dog Toy - Toughest Natural Rubber, Black - Fun to Chew, Chase and Fetch - for Large Dogs

Even though your Labrador is a puppy, they are excessively strong chewers.  We recommend you go straight for the toughest Kong there is; the Black Kong.  From the age of four weeks, your puppy will have had several of these in the kennel they grow up here in.  Like Lamb Chop, these will help your puppy during the transition period and beyond.   

A puppy trained to enjoy a stuffed Kong during Crate Time, will weather forced crating during any recovery period.  We highly recommend Kongs!

ZYMOX Enzymatic Ear Solution with 0.5-Percent Hydrocortisone, for Dog & Cat, 1.25 oz

Due to the design of Labrador's ears, keeping the ears healthy can be a challenge.  A weekly flush with this product will help keep everything in the ear nice and balanced.   Put enough in the ear that when you massage it, you hear "squish" - then let the puppy shake their head to remove the excess.  Wipe the fleshy part of the ear to finish the job and there you go!  Healthy Labrador ears. 

Prefer a Hydrocortisone free version?  There is one of those as well.  We use this (below) when our girls are expecting a litter.