English Bulldog Puppy Training

Training

• Training your English bulldog puppy is essential if you desire an adult that doesn't display inappropriate behaviors. Training isn't always just about teaching a dog tricks; it also guides him to become well-behaved and balanced. Persistence, patience and praise are the key elements in teaching English bulldogs, as they are often stubborn and respond well to food and affection.

When to Start

• English bulldog puppy training should begin the first day your receive your puppy. While you don't need to teach it to sit the first day it is away from its litter, you can display actions that will assert your dominance. Asserting dominance over a dog is essential for training any breed, although it is extremely important for English bulldogs. According to the Complete Guide to Responsible Dog Ownership website, English bulldogs have a tendency to be very stubborn. In addition, most of these dogs have take charge attitudes. Both of these can hinder the training process. If your English bulldog doesn't respect you as its leader, it will not obey you. To claim your role as pack leader, walk through doors ahead of your English bulldog and always keep it next to you on your leashed walks, never allowing it to walk ahead. Eating is such a big part of a dog's life that making yourself a part of that will show your dog that you are the head of its pack. Run your hands through the dog's food to transmit your scent on the kibble. Make your English bulldog wait for your permission before you allow it to eat.

Key Elements

• One of the biggest mistakes dog owners make is not training with consistency. Many owners will encourage their dogs to misbehave, yet punish them when they do so. For instance, if you let your bulldog bite on your hand when it is playing, it is unfair to become mad when the dog displays the same behavior in other circumstances. Therefore, do not allow your puppy to act a certain way in some situations that you wouldn't allow in all situations. In addition, do not let your English bulldog puppy get away with behaviors or actions you wouldn't allow it to do as an adult. For instance, if you enjoy cuddling with your puppy on the couch, do not expect this action to stop when it is an adult and 50 lbs. heavier.

Socialization Element

• Socialization is a crucial component of your English bulldog puppy's training, states the Complete Guide to Responsible Dog Ownership website. Exposing your puppy to new people, dogs and experiences will help it to become a well-adjusted dog. Bulldogs that miss out on interacting with other puppies or humans often become fearful or aggressive toward them because they are not familiar with that sort of interaction. Enrolling your English bulldog into puppy playgroups will help it learn about other puppies and how to behave around them.

Praising v. Punishing

• English bulldogs learn best when they are encouraged and praised in a positive way. Yelling at or punishing the puppy can be quite detrimental, as it can cause the dog to become fearful or aggressive toward you. Instead of reprimanding undesirable behavior, build self-confidence within your puppy and establish a tight bond by petting it, enthusiastically praising it and giving treats when it does what you want. Reward small actions, such as chewing on a toy instead of your couch leg, as well as large ones, including successful potty training. You will likely find that your bulldog puppy will learn faster with praise than with punishment.