How to Raise an American Bulldog Puppy
The American Bulldog is the European cousin of a dog bred for the sport of bull baiting and later, for cattle droving. This extraordinarily strong breed in both body and will is both loving and protective of his family. Start with a puppy for the easiest way to raise this breed to be socialized and well mannered. Any behaviors you train your American Bulldog as a puppy will be deeply entrenched in the adult due to his high level of intelligence.
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Instructions
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Get your puppy fully vetted, including rabies, distemper and parvo shots and spaying or neutering, if you aren't planning on breeding. Ask your vet about the kinds of dog food she recommends and how frequently you should feed your puppy to maintain a healthy weight.
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Get your puppy used to wearing a collar and walking on a leash. Even very young puppies can learn to follow a gentle leash tug, with abundant praise and treats. Remember, this breed is strong and can become a significant behavioral problem as an adult if not properly leash trained. Use a high-pitched voice to encourage your puppy to follow your lead and avoid punishment, physical or otherwise, as this can lead to aggression in an adult dog.
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Practice a solid sit, stay and heel command with your puppy. Ideally, you want your puppy to respond to your commands at all times so that you maximize control over his behavior. The American Bulldog will take the lead if you don't, and will quickly choose the alpha role, which can lead to protective and aggressive behavior. Always accompany vocal commands with hand commands. This is important because your dog may not always be within hearing distance or may lose his hearing with age.
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Socialize your puppy by taking him on walks where other dogs and people walk. If possible, take your dog to the local dog park, where dogs practice socialization skills off leash under the supervision of their owners. Don't let your dog be protective of you in any way in a social situation and correct the behavior immediately. Protectiveness is a good trait in the right circumstances, but not when socializing. If you think you need additional guidance raising your puppy, find a basic puppy training course. Many large pet stores and local kennels offer these courses.
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Exercise your puppy regularly. The American Bulldog is a highly energetic dog who loves to work and requires physical activity every day. Without enough exercise, these dogs can become destructive. Take your puppy for a good run or walk at least once a day. Play fetch in the yard. When your puppy tires out, let him go to his crate or gated-off area for water and rest.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't make a game out of chase with the American Bulldog. This breed has a high prey drive and if he thinks it's OK to indulge it, he will chase other animals or even people. Make it clear that chase is only for tennis balls.
Don't encourage mouthing on your arm or hand, even if the dog isn't clamping hard. The bulldog has powerful jaws and needs to know when it is appropriate to use them.
Don't take your American Bulldog out in extremely hot or cold temperatures (over 80 or below 55 degrees Fahrenheit). Like all brachycephalic breeds, due to their short noses, the bulldogs have difficulty in breathing and are prone to heat stroke at higher, and even moderate temperatures. According to Dr. Nelson's Veterinary Blog, brachycephalic breeds can overheat in less than five minutes because they cannot dissipate heat as quickly as a longer-nosed dog does. If your American Bulldog gets overheated, offer him water to drink and wet him down with cool, not cold water. Call your veterinarian if the inner ears are red or bright pink.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Bulldog anglais image by Olivier from Fotolia.com
