How to Housebreak a One-Year-Old Bulldog

From bull baiter to family friendly pet, the bulldog has become the 16th most popular dog breed in America, according to the American Kennel Club. Despite its early use in bull-baiting, a sport which required the dog to grab a bull by the nose and not let go, the bulldog is a friendly, patient and comical dog. They are patient around children and their eagerness to please their humans makes them easy to train. They can be stubborn, however, and housebreaking an adult bulldog takes patience and consistency.

Things You'll Need

  • Leash
  • Dog treats
  • Crate
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Instructions

    • 1

      Crate your bulldog when you aren't home. Bulldogs are reluctant to soil their sleep area, so you'll be less likely to find a mess when you come back. Purchase a crate that is large enough for a 50 pound bulldog to stand up and turn around in. You should avoid crating your bulldog if it does have accidents in the crate, however, or it will just learn to keep doing so.

    • 2

      Walk your bulldog outside on a leash. Despite a low energy level compared to some other breeds, bulldogs love to play, and being leashed will show it that this is a time for business instead. Encourage your dog to "go potty" or do it's "business." This teaches it a verbal cue that will eventually signal to your bulldog when it is time to potty.

    • 3

      Reward your bulldog if it does potty while it is outside. Give it a snack and a pat on the back with some excited praise. You can also let it off the leash to romp around the yard or play a quick game of tug-of-war. Rewarding your bulldog teaches it that it pleases you when it "potties" outside, and the eager-to-please bulldog will want to do it again.

    • 4

      Clap to interrupt your bulldog if you find it urinating or defecating in the house. Hurry outside with it and encourage it to finish by telling it to "go potty." This gives you an opportunity to show your bulldog where it is appropriate to potty and where it is not without punishing your dog and creating resentment, fear or aggression. Stubborn bulldogs don't respond well to a heavy hand.

    • 5

      Neuter your bulldog if it is a male and marks inside the house but is otherwise housetrained. This can often solve the problem almost immediately.

    • 6

      Make your bulldog an appointment to see a vet if it continues to have accidents in the house, even if it can hold its bladder and ask to be let outside. Health problems can sometimes make it difficult for a bulldog to wait to relieve itself, and certain behavior problems, such as separation anxiety will lead a dog to have accidents as well. Consult with your vet to see if a health or anxiety issue might be causing the problem.