Are you about to bring home an Amstaff puppy? Our list of essentials will make life easier for you both!

Crate

Crates are probably the most essential piece of equipment any dog owner should buy.

Why, you ask?

Because just like us humans, dogs need a safe place, a ‘bedroom’ or “den” to call their own. Their own little safe haven, a place of comfort to retreat to. It’s also a very handy tool in house training.

We recommend purchasing a crate big enough for your Amstaff puppy to grow into. Set it up in a quiet part of your family room. Make it super comfy with blankets and chew toys.

We use the Yours Droolly 36” Crate (L 910 x W 580 x H 630mm) which comes with dividers to use while your American Stafforshire Terrier grows.

Slip Lead

We use and recommend Mendota Slip Leads for training, and to use once your puppy is old enough to go on walks. These do not require a collar and will adjust as your Amstaff grows.

They’re both affordable and durable, as long as your Amstaff puppy doesn’t chew the lead!

Check out our blog on the importance of not over-exercising your Amstaff puppy.

Chew toys

Amstaffs are hardcore chewers, especially around teething time which starts from approximately 4 months of age. Giving them something designed to be chewed is a good idea. Making sure that the chew toy is non-toxic and safe is even better.

We recommend the indestructible puppy chew toys such as NYLABONE and toys made by KONG, size “L”. These are priced under $30 in New Zealand, which is a bargain.

Once the dog is older, and their adult teeth are set, they can graduate to a harder Nylabone or the Kong Xtreme, size “XL” or “XXL”. These cost a little more, at around $60.

However, since they are super-durable and could save your shoes, furniture and sanity, it’s worth it!

Nylabones and Kong toys are made from non-toxic material. They provide hours of chewing entertainment. You can stuff treats into them and freeze the toy to challenge your Amstaff. You can also use them as a fun bounce ball for games of fetch.

Plus, when it's time to clean them, they are dishwasher safe. That’s helpful!

Always make sure you know what your puppy or dog is chewing on. Your Amstaff could get sick, or worse, from chewing poisonous or toxic toys or material! It’s not worth the risk. PLEASE DO NOT GIVE YOUR AMSTAFF RAW HIDE!

Food Bowl and Water bowl

The best bowls are made from stainless steel or ceramic. We recommend you raise these off the ground to help with strengthening their pasterns as your puppy grows.

Always wash bowls after use to ensure bacteria doesn’t form.

Food

There are lots of food options out there. As usual, it can take a little bit of research, trial and error before you find what’s right for you and your Amstaff puppy.

Our criteria for the food we feed the Zaliamstaff team is that it must be wholesome, balanced and nutritious. We prefer feeding a natural holistic food that has a multitude of health benefits.

Holistic foods incorporate functional ingredients, not only made from whole foods, but contain ingredients which have individual and associated benefits for optimal health and wellbeing.

We’re happy to say Blackhawk meets our needs. If you’re confused or just not sure, feel free to ask us via our Facebook page.

Treats

Treats are great for positive reinforcement, but remember to keep an eye on the portion size! We try to keep them to a “sniff” size - about the same as a thumbnail or smaller.

We prefer to use freshly cooked chicken or small pieces of cheese because it’s easier on the stomach of young puppies and creates less of an upset.

Remember treats do add to their food intake during the day and can upset the nutritional balance, so keep those portions to a bare minimum when training.

Critical Periods in a Dog’s Life

Last but not least on the Zaliamstaff American Staffordshire Terrier Puppy Essentials Checklist is this PDF: Critical Periods in a Dog’s Life.

This essential document will help you understand, prepare and nurture your Amstaff puppy through the various life stages, starting from whelping.

Download it, print it off and keep it where you can see it. Add the dates to a Google Calendar, so you can access it easily, and have alerts set up. Or just mark the dates on your home calendar.

Conclusion

We know you’ll find our checklist useful. And we think it is fairly complete. However, if you have a suggestion to add, or a question, please let us know via our Facebook page!