Water and Food Bowls - I suggest stainless steel, because it is chew-proof, non-breakable, and dishwasher safe. Water bowls should hold at least 6 cups, food bowls at least 4 cups

Collar - Nylon or leather, buckle type. Chain collars (slip collars, also called choke collars) are for TRAINING ONLY. Dogs left with chain training collars can get caught on things or each other and choke to death. Please do not take this lightly. I know two people who have lost dogs this way, and a third who was severely bitten whilst saving two dogs who had got tangled together because one was wearing a chain slip collar. Collar should be tight enough to not slip over the head, but loose enough to slide two fingers under it easily. Your puppy may grow out of two or three collars before it is an adult, so don't be surprised !

Leash - I suggest 6 ft. long, at least 1/2 inch wide leather or cotton web. I do not recommend nylon, as it slips easily through the hands which can cause you to get rope burns or blisters. A retractable leash such as a Flexi-leash is also handy. This type of leash is a cord on a reel inside a handle, which allows the dog to go as far as 20 feet and you can still reel him in.

Crate - This is the best tool you can use to housebreak a puppy. Airline style or folding wire types are both fine. To save money, get the adult size, which is about 40" long x 27" wide x 30" high. You will need to use a wooden or wire partition to make the crate smaller inside at first, so the puppy has only enough room to stretch out comfortably, otherwise he will sleep at one end and use the other end as the bathroom. As the puppy grows, you can move the partition until it is no longer needed.

Bedding - Save the fancy dog beds until the puppy is an adult. RR puppies WILL tear them up ! Old blankets or towels are your best bet, or even shredded paper if your puppy really likes to shred the bedding.

Toys - Lots of them ! The more interesting the toys are, the less interesting your shoes will be. Nylabones, Choo-Hooves, big rope toys, fleece toys and hard rubber toys. Avoid soft rubber or squeaky toys, as RR's tend to eat them. Limit natural bones as they are abrasive, and you'd be surprised at what big bones a RR can break, causing chips they can choke on or throw up (yuk !). I don't suggest rawhide toys either, because most RR's eat them very quickly, leading to choking or at least a stomach upset.

Bitter Apple - This is a handy product that tastes nasty and discourages chewing. Spray it on anything that the puppy chews that he shouldn't - shoes, furniture, rugs, electric cords etc. Since they have no hands, puppies explore the world with their mouths, so I promise you they will chew things they shouldn't. It's your job to encourage chewing the right things and discourage chewing the wrong things.

Baby Gates - So many houses are of the open concept type these days, and that makes it difficult to keep an eye on a fast moving puppy if he has the run of the house. Baby gates will help you confine the puppy to safe areas where you can watch him.

Nail Clippers - The pliers type work better than the guillotine type. Either way, get the type that are for LARGE dogs. Your baby will need them soon enough .......

Ear Cleaning Solution - Get the type specifically made for dogs. Use every two weeks to keep ears clean and infection free.

Shampoo - Get shampoo made for dogs. People shampoo will dry out the coat too much and cause shedding. Shampooing too often also causes shedding, so don't do it more than once a month unless the puppy gets really filthy.

Soft Rubber Curry Brush - Similar to those used on horses. Removes dead hair and distributes the natural oil in the coat. If you use it weekly, your dog will have a clean, shiny coat, and will shed very little. Can also be used in the bath to scrub off stubborn dirt and dead hair.

Food - Your puppy will be eating Purina Pro Plan for puppies. I will send a small amount home with you, but you will need to get some pretty quickly. If you change to another food, make sure it is good quality, and change over slowly to avoid tummy upsets.

Vitamins - Not really necessary if you are feeding a premium quality dog food.

Flea control and Vaccinations - Consult your vet.

Pooper Scooper - A handy tool designed for the job makes it a little less distasteful ...

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