Bulldog puppy training can be somewhat daunting for those of you who own this fascinating breed.
These dogs have a mixed reputation. From 1500’s English courage, to defiant and stubborn, this lovable puppy is going to keep you on your toes.
When Choosing Your Bulldog
There are health considerations to first keep in mind when you’re choosing a bulldog puppy. This breed has a high mortality rate, and therefore, if possible, take your chosen pet to a trusted vet first and have it looked at for ear or nose problems (something bulldogs are prone to), or other health issues.
Also, try to choose a puppy from a litter that is at least two months old, and a puppy that is alert and affectionate.
A bulldog pup that is at least two and a half months old should be properly socialized and ready to begin its bulldog puppy training. However, if your puppy is not yet of that age, or seems to be a little more aggressive than it should, you will need to deal with any aggressive issues before commencing your puppy’s training.
How to Go About Bulldog Puppy Training
There are some basic commands you should start out with. And all puppies (and dogs) should know these commands. I call them:
Dog Training 101 Commands
1. Come (recall)
2. Sit
3. “Okay” and “No”
4. “Hold” and “Drop It”
5. “Sit and Stay”
6 “Down” (Drop)
7. “Heel”
8. “Stand”
9. “Wait ”
10. “Seek” (Find)
At a minimum, your Bulldog puppy should know these commands. You can click here and read my other articles on this site for free step by step tutorials on how to train your dog to come, how to train your dog to stay, and how to train your dog to sit.
Once you’ve got the basic dog training commands down, you’re on your way to a well behaved dog!
Potty Training
Potty training will be addressed in a whole other section on this site, but I’ll address it here a bit. Your young puppy may be quite stubborn, so constant training and reinforcement is necessary. Use crate training methods and be home as much as possible in order to give your pet proper potty training.
Don’t worry, your pet will be very careful not to have “accidents” in your home once trained, it just might take a little longer than other breeds for your bulldog to come around.
Use Crate Training
It’s of the utmost importance you use crate training as much as possible for bulldogs, and it’s also imperative you teach your puppy to stay off the furniture (that includes not allowing him to sleep in your bed).
Make sure your puppy is not only housebroken, but also knows not to bite or nip aggressively (this can be taught with toys and by using your own loud, painful whining sound as proof).
Establish You’re The Alpha
Establish your ranking early in the relationship. Your pet needs to know that you’re the one in charge.
Because your new puppy may be stubborn at first, you will need to work a little harder at obedience when doing your bulldog puppy training. Bulldog obedience training should begin somewhere between the first three and six months of life.
You’ll find that your puppy is going to become very proficient at your commands, and that learning to lie down, sit, come when you call, wait patiently, among others, will become second nature to your puppy if you’re persistent in training.
Bulldog Puppy Training For Their Own Safety
It’s not just for socialization and obedience that you want to begin your puppy training, your bulldog is actually at high risk of danger to to his natural curiosity and fearless nature.
It’s imperative that you train your bulldog puppy to stop at your command and not to run into the road or chase cars. Until your puppy is taught to be at your side in public, do not risk taking your pet off its leash.
Many people get put off investing in a bulldog because of the intense bulldog puppy training needed. However, don’t be alarmed by what seems like a daunting task.
The bottom line is, a trained bulldog puppy will be the most lovable, and the most protective and loyal, pet you’ve ever known.
For comprehensive, step-by-step bulldog puppy training resource (complete with streaming videos and DVD, visit Dove Cresswell’s Puppy Training Academy or you can visit The Dog Training Mastery Multimedia Package by Kingdom of Pets.
