When Do English Bulldogs Get Their Wrinkles

Bulldogs are known for their dedicated demeanor and adorably wrinkled appearance. Unlike other breeds, they require a few special considerations when it comes to exercise, training, and grooming. For tips on navigating your Bulldog's outset year and beyond, we've turned to Brenda Fontanos, AKC Bulldog breeder and owner of Font A Nose Bulldog in Lebanon, Oregon, and domestic dog trainer Louise Daigle of Red Pointy Dog Training in Strafford, New Hampshire.

Growth Stage: Between 8-16 weeks

Training goal #1: Socialize Bulldogs with other dogs

Bulldogs are social creatures who adore spending time with humans and other dogs, which is why it's critical to become them used to coming together new canines and people. Most importantly, you'll want to proceed all interactions with new people and pups fun. "Proper socialization involves quality interactions, not a lot of random ones. So, curate your puppy's friend list to make certain they are only interacting with other dogs that will deport appropriately towards them," says Daigle.

Daigle recommends the AKC South.T.A.R. Puppy program to teach your puppy manners and get them socialized to other dogs.

Training goal #2: Get Bulldogs used to grooming

Wrinkles are adorable just can business firm bacteria and yeast if not cleaned several times per week with peroxide and stale with cornstarch. Fontanos says it's of import to get puppies used to training from day one. "Gently wipe their wrinkles downwardly daily with paper towels or soft tissues to go on them dry and get the pup used to being handled," she says.

Daigle recommends making a game out of grooming sessions. "Smear some peanut butter or canned pumpkin on a lick mat, chew toy, or fifty-fifty the forepart of your refrigerator. Let your dog become interested and allow them to start licking at the goodies," she says. And so, once the pup engages with the care for, yous can begin handling them and wiping downward their wrinkles.

"Use this game in the beginning for things that may non be scary similar simple petting and brushing before you endeavor cleaning their faces and paws," she says.

Training goal #iii: Show Bulldogs what to chew

Bulldogs love to chew on everything in sight, especially when they're teething. Give your Bulldog a sturdy rubber toy to chew on, recommends Fontanos. "If they get a concord of something they shouldn't be chewing like a shoe, distract them and quickly replace that with the acceptable chew item," she says. Most chiefly, always praise Bulldogs when they're chewing on something acceptable to positively reinforce the behavior.

Puppy stage: By 6 months

By this age, your Bulldog puppy should play nicely with other dogs, chew on advisable toys, and be set to continue basic obedience lessons.

Training goal #four: Teach basic commands to your Bulldog

Start grooming your pup with basic commands like "Sit down," "Stay," and "Leave-Information technology." And so motion on to commands similar "Drop-Information technology."

Bulldogs accept a potent grip once they seize with teeth downwardly on toys, so it's imperative that they learn the "Drop Information technology" command. "The most important piece in training 'Drop Information technology' is to never simply take the item from your dog," says Daigle. This could lead to resource guarding.

"Instead, you should always trade the dog up for the item they accept," she recommends. For example, if your pup has a sock in their mouth, offer the pup a care for, which is more desirable than the sock, and to eat the treat, the dog must release the sock.

Grooming goal #5: Potty train your Bulldog

To avert unwanted accidents within the home, you lot must potty train your pooch. Fontanos recommends taking the pup out every hour on the 60 minutes to the spot where you lot want the domestic dog to eliminate during the twenty-four hour period, for several days. You'll also want to have abroad food and h2o 3 to iv hours before bedtime and give your pup a potty interruption just earlier you lot get to slumber and first thing in the morning time. And, she recommends crate training your pup too.

"Crating Bulldog puppies when you're asleep keeps them out of trouble, keeps them from chewing things you don't want them to, and prevents accidents," she says.

Training goal #vi: Exercise your Bulldog in cool temperatures

Bulldogs are a brachycephalic breed considering they have short muzzles that make animate difficult on hot, boiling days. For this reason, Fontanos recommends exercising your Bulldog very early in the forenoon or late in the evening, fugitive the farthermost heat of mid-mean solar day. "If your dog is panting a lot, it's time to take a break and get your dog cooled down with some room-temperature water."

E'er bring ample water for your domestic dog, recommends Daigle. And she says that you tin can outfit your pup on warmer days to go along them cool too. "There are a number of cooling jackets now that can as well be quite effective in keeping our pets' temperature within the normal range."

Of form, you can always do your pup within anytime with the air conditioner on when it'southward hot outside. Yous can even create an indoor playroom for your pup.

Growth phase: By one year

By the time your Bulldog is one year old, your pup should know basic obedience and exist used to a daily feeding and exercise routine.

Training goal #7: Get your Bulldog involved in AKC activities

These pups are able to participate in activities like obedience classes, tracking, and agility besides, as long as the atmospheric condition is temperate. "Bulldogs are very smart and AKC Canine Skillful Citizen classes teach them all the nuts," recommends Fontanos.

Daigle recommends incorporating training classes in your Bulldog's exercise routine. "Mental stimulation is just as important to a dog's quality of life as staying physically fit. Consider challenging your dog to learn new behaviors or take a training class," she says. Later on all, didactics your Bulldog how to walk nicely on ternion, stay for greeting, or even perform tricks, are wonderful ways to tire them out.

Training goal #8: Take precautions around h2o with your Bulldog

Bulldogs love water only are poor swimmers due to their torso construction. Shallow kiddie pools are always a fun activity for a Bulldog, as long as you are around to carefully supervise your pup while they play, advises Fontanos. And, when around lakes or oceans, always be safe and outfit your Bulldog with a life jacket.