We’re glad you’re here to learn how to live with a 12-week-old Staffy puppy! We’ll look at what to anticipate from your puppy and what they’ll need from you during this exciting time in their growth.
Your Staffy puppy has likely been living in your home for at least a few weeks by the time it’s 12 weeks old. Your puppy will be in its stride after any initial nervousness has subsided.
But as their human family, you may have numerous questions about your puppy’s growth, exercise and diet needs. We aim to try and provide you with answers to all of those questions.
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3-Month-Old Staffy
Your Staffy puppy’s primary concerns at three months old are still to eat, drink, sleep, go potty, and play. Your puppy should be beginning to understand right from wrong and be well on the way with housetraining.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies should be playful and curious. Ensure you have made your home a secure and puppy-proof environment. Because as your pup grows and gets more robust, they will inevitably get themselves into bother if you’re not careful.
Housetraining is undoubtedly one of the most frustrating aspects of owning a young puppy. Some days it seems like you’re making good progress, only to go backwards the next day. Support your puppy with an excellent housetraining schedule during this crucial time.
What to Expect From a 12-Week-Old Staffy Puppy
Teething: At 12 weeks of age, Staffy puppies will have most of their 28 baby teeth and possibly their first two to four adult front teeth or incisors. Your Staffy will develop all its adult teeth over the next three months.
Staffies will want to chew because they are starting a “teething” stage that is active. Even at this age, Staffies are healthy chewers, so you need plenty of puppy-proof chew toys.
Get your puppy used to you touching and examining their teeth at an early age. Starting young is the best practice; you don’t want to start cleaning your Staffy’s teeth after six months because they probably won’t like it, and both of you will get frustrated.
Intelligence: Staffy puppies at 12 weeks are curious about their surroundings. They run a higher risk of getting into trouble as they explore their surroundings. A puppy’s brain is fully developed at this age, making it ideal for “training.” Staffy puppies can distinguish right and wrong and remember positive results (we’re talking about positive reinforcement).
This age is an excellent time to introduce the collar and lead to your Staffy.
How Big Is a 12-Week-Old Staffordshire Bull Terrier Puppy?
An average Staffordshire Bull Terrier 3-month-old puppy should weigh 11 to 15lbs (4.9kg to 6.8kg).
12-Week-Old Staffordshire Bull Terrier [CARE GUIDE]
Here are a few quick tips on caring for your 12-week-old Staffy puppy:
- Maintain crate training
- Ensure you’re following through with housetraining
- A Staffy’s bladder can hold for a maximum of four hours at 12 weeks
- You should provide food four times daily
- By now, you should be grooming your puppy regularly
- Get your puppy used to you touching their mouth
- Socialisation is crucial
- Training by positive reinforcement
- Plenty of safe but strong chew toys
- Lots of playtime
- Follow up vaccinations
- Worming (and heartworm prevention)
How to Take Care of 12-Week-Old Staffy Puppy
By twelve weeks, you should have already been socialising your Staffy puppy. Socialisation is a massive part of caring for your puppy. You want your puppy to grow into a well-adjusted, happy, confident dog. Socialisation is the key. The more sights, sounds and people a puppy comes into contact with, the better.
There are three main focuses of caring for a twelve-week-old puppy—vaccinations, diet and exercise. We’ll quickly cover vaccinations now, with diet and exercise in the following two sections.
Coming from the UK your puppy should receive the final round of vaccinations at twelve weeks. Presumably, you already have a vet where you had your puppy’s health checked as soon as you brought them home. Ask your vet if you don’t already know when the final vaccinations are due.
This is essential information because you shouldn’t put your puppy on the ground outside until after their final vaccinations.
What to Feed Staffy Puppy at 3 Months?
A 12-week-old Staffy should be fed a nutritious, balanced diet of age-appropriate food. Vets typically recommend you should provide food based on the puppy’s weight.
Choose the food based on quality ingredients and follow the feeding instructions on the dog food packaging.
Can I Walk My Staffy Puppy at 12 Weeks?
Yes, you can walk your 12-week-old Staffy, providing they have had their final vaccinations. As a general guide, walking a puppy for up to five minutes each month of age is safe. Young puppies shouldn’t be over-exercised because their bones and joints are growing, and you don’t want to put too much strain on them.
How to Stop 12-Week Old Staffy Puppy Chewing and Biting
Three quick tips to stop your Staffy puppy from biting:
- Redirect your puppy’s chewing and biting. You have to practice this method consistently for it to work. The principle is pretty simple. If they start nipping or biting your hand, don’t pull that hand away. With your other hand, replace your hand with one of your Staffy’s toys.
- Socialisation is still crucial, and it can help reduce biting and nipping. When your puppy plays with other dogs nipping too hard won’t likely be tolerated.
- Clicker training can also help prevent biting. When you put your hand in front of your Staffy, and they don’t bite, you click and reward your dog with a treat.
