Despite their cute appearance, English bulldog puppies can sometimes be aggressive, and this needs to be nipped in the bud as early as possible, preferably before those big jaws and teeth do any real damage. English bulldogs act aggressive out of fear or because of their perceived dominance in your family. Bulldogs who fear strangers or your handling of them will bite out of fear. Those who perceive themselves as top dog can bite if you come near their food, toys, or objects that they are not supposed to have.

An English bulldog that has not been socialized will tend to fear strangers, so puppy training. should include socialization. Taking your puppy walking through the neighborhood or to a dog park or shopping center that allows dogs will help him or her see that strangers are not threatening. Try to expose your puppy to as great a variety of people as possible so that he or she will get used to people of various ages and ethnic groups. Classes in puppy training, in which puppies are taught basic commands such as sit, stay and leave it, can give your English Bulldog puppy a good chance to be around other people and dogs.

A dog who is fearful of you will also bite out of fear, so train your English bulldog using rewards rather than punishments. Instead of punishing your puppy for making a mess on the carpet, praise him or her for doing the right thing in the right place.

In nature young dogs jockey for positions as pack leader, second in command, and so on. It is natural for your English bulldog to try to become pack leader in your home, and if he or she feels like the alpha dog, it can lead to biting if you approach too close to your dog’s food dish or toy, or try to take your sock out of your puppy’s mouth. Good puppy training involves teaching your English bulldog that you are the pack leader. Eating your dinner before feeding your dog will show that you have dominance, because in nature the alpha wolf eats before the rest of the pack. Sleeping in your bed and having your English bulldog sleep in a smaller bed next to it also will demonstrate to your pup that you are the dominant member of the family. Training your English bulldog commands and giving rewards for good behavior will put you in the position of boss. Teach your English bulldog commands such as sit and down, and have the puppy sit or lie down before he or she is fed. If your puppy refuses to obey the command, withhold food until he or she obeys. Be sure your dog gets plenty of water during the time he or she is not eating.

Grooming can be a problem with an aggressive dog. Be sure to give your puppy lots of affection early in his or her life, so that touching will not be seen as aggression. When you groom your English bulldog, speak to him or her in a gentle, reassuring tone of voice so that your pup will not be fearful. If aggression during grooming continues to be a problem, a professional groomer might be the solution. Be sure to warn the groomer about your dog’s behavior.

Puppies go through a teething phase in which they will chew your socks, paper, furniture, and even you. Chew toys are available from your local pet supply store, and should be given to your English bulldog to satisfy his or her craving. When your puppy starts to chew the wrong thing, say, “leave it,” and offer the chew toy instead. Praise your pup when he or she chews the chew toy.

If your dog is still acting aggressive, biting and chewing the wrong things, then see a veterinarian or dog trainer for more advice. English bulldogs can be good pets with the right training and handling.

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Training Bulldog Puppies

Bulldogs have to be one of the oldest, most elite, pedigree breeds of dogs in modern day society. Since way back in the 1500s, Bulldogs have been a symbol of England, being generally brave, stoic and strong-willed. Hence, training a bulldog pup is usually a bit of a chore if your puppy is particularly pig-headed or inquisitive in your house.

Choosing Your Puppy

When choosing your Bulldog pup, be aware just how much general characteristics and traits make up this breed. Bulldogs are prone to numerous health problems, starting from the moment they’re born with a high rate of mortality. Pick out a puppy that’s not less than 8 weeks of age, is not at all aggressive and has a friendly nature. Ensure it’s in excellent condition with your vet, as there are a number of puppy-related health conditions that your bulldog puppy might have, especially with its ears or nose.

Training should commence from the moment your puppy is brought home, but, only if your dog is old enough and has had ample opportunity for socialization. If your puppy isn’t 10 weeks old, or it’s not been properly socialized with children, adults and other pets,especially dogs, be sure you do this as soon as possible to prevent the development of any unnecessary aggression issues.

Bulldog Puppy Training

When your puppy is old enough, start training with basic housetraining or house-breaking. Bulldogs can often be especially stubborn when young, so it’s strongly recommended that you utilize crate training from the start, and that you are home as much of the time as possible during house breaking. It will take a little longer than normal to complete the process of housebreaking, but once your puppy is broken, you will find that he is very careful never to make a mess in his home. Once you’ve established the basics, start creating an environment where you are the obvious and un-challenged alpha pack leader. Train your puppy not to nip or bite, using toys and a whining noise to indicate that it hurts. Don’t let your puppy jump on the furniture and never allow it to sleep in your bed. The crate should be used as often as possible in these first months at home as you stretch out how long your puppy stays in there.

Bulldog puppy training ought to move into the obedience phase somewhere between 3 and 6 months with concentration on simple commands like lie down, sit, stay, come (when called), wait, learning how to focus on you, and not pulling on the leash.

You will discover that a Bulldog can be quite skilled at tuning in to these cues, but may not initially want to follow your lead owing to its stubborn nature.

Using Bulldog Puppy Training to Protect Them

Because of their inborn curiosity and plucky nature, a bulldog puppy will try and explore as much of its home and the great outdoors as possible. Train them early never to chase vehicles, to stop and wait at the curb and to make sure they never run away from you when out in public. Never take a bulldog off its lead until you can be certain it’s going to return when called and that it won’t run too faraway from you. The dangers are generally higher with Bulldogs than they are with many other small dog breeds

Proper Bulldog puppy training may appear somewhat harder than normal when you first bring home your new little buddy, but in the end you will find that Bulldogs are amongst the most loyal, attentive dogs you could ever own. They will stay stubbornly by your side, following your commands and staying clean indoors. But, only if you introduce the rules early on and make sure they follow your instructions not just for a while, but always.

The post Training Bulldog Puppies – A Study in Stubborn Bulldog Personality Vs Proper Obedience Training first appeared on Puppy Blog.