Before you get your puppy, there are a few key things we like you to have on hand, so that you aren't scrambling for solutions or running to the pet store every day after Fido has come home.
A 4 or 6 foot nylon leash. Flexi-leashes are cumbersome, can unlock at inappropriate moments, and promote pulling if they are left unlocked while you walk your puppy. Leather leashes might get chewed by your mouthy puppy (If YOU aren't paying attention, that is.) A flat nylon leash is your best bet for safety and functionality.
A flat buckle collar with ID tag. We prefer a belt buckle style collar to the plastic clasp type for safety, as we've seen the plastic types come unlocked or break.
Kong toys and Nylabones. Boredom toys for crate or bed times.
A properly sized crate. We prefer plastic, Vari-kennel style crates. You can size up and block off a section of it with bricks or a milk crate while crate-training and house-breaking.
A water dish. You won't need a food dish, as all your puppy's food will be coming from your hand, or from the inside of a Kong toy, so she learns to focus on you and concentrate on tasks. Stainless steel bowls won't chip, and are easy to clean.
A motivational toy. We recommend that you have a special toy that is only to be seen by puppy when its time to play with you. A fleece tug toy is a great interactive toy, and easy for puppy mouths to grab onto. A plush toy or a soft ball on a string are also excellent choices. REMEMBER: All toys should be interactive while your puppy is learning to focus on you. No free access to toys!
Long line: A 10 or 15 foot length of rope attached to a bolt clip with a secure knot comes in handy in the back yard or at a park to give your puppy some exercise and fun while maintaining safety and controlling the learning process.
A few key books to help you understand how your dog perceives your world, and how to teach him to navigate it successfully. The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson offers necessary insights into the dog's perspective on the world. Don't Shoot The Dog by Karen Pryor is indispensable for understanding how dogs learn and how best to teach them. Before and After You Get Your Puppy by Dr. Ian Dunbar. Dr. Dunbar helped revolutionize pet dog training, offering compassionate and common sense solutions to the obstacles faced by most new puppy owners.
OPTIONAL: Baby gate: Handy if you need to teach the puppy that certain areas of the house will always be off limits.


Recommended Reading List:
These are books with a wealth of insight into dog behavior and training
Don't Shoot The DogKaren Pryor
The Culture ClashJean Donaldson
Before and After You Get Your PuppyDr. Ian Dunbar
How To Teach A New Dog Old TricksDr. Ian Dunbar
The Power of Positive Dog TrainingPat Miller
Mine!Jean Donaldson
Click to CalmEmma Parsons
The Other End of The LeashPatricia McConnell, Ph.D.
For The Love of a DogPatricia McConnell, Ph.D.
Shaping SuccessSusan Garrett
Ruff LoveSusan Garrett


Toys:
These are some toys we like that stand up under everyday use with some intense dogs. All toys should be used under supervision. Ideally, YOU should play with your dog with the toys, rather than having your dog play by himself.
Tuffie's Toys:If your dog likes nothing more than to shred any and all toys, you might want to take a look at Tuffies. Battle tested with Sean's Rottweiler Bessie, the queen of gutting toys, Tuffies stand up strong
Kyjen Fleece tug toy: A softer, gentler tug toy, easy to play with and good for your dog's gums. Machine washable.
Chuck-it Stick: Teach a great retrieve and tire your dog out (without throwing your shoulder out.) Get the large Chuck0it rather than the smaller version for maximum distance.
Kong Flyer Disc: We like a flexible, easy to grab frisbee, and we like something that won't get gouged by big dog teeth. The Kong Flyer Disc is the best we've used. Soft enough for a young dog to grab and swing around, but tough enough for the big guys to chomp down on.
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