How to Potty Train Bulldogs

According to the American Kennel Club, the bulldog is one of the most popular breeds in the country thanks to its lovable nature and adorable features. The dogs were originally used for bull baiting and dog fights, but after those activities became illegal, bulldogs have become lovable and gentle family pets. If you want your bulldog to be a productive and accepted member of your family, you will need to train it to urinate and defecate in the right places and to avoid big messes that cause big problems.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog crate
  • Bell
  • Deodorizers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Provide your bulldog with a dog crate in which he can comfortably sleep. Bulldogs will rarely dirty their own bedding, so when he leaves the crate you will know that he has to go.

    • 2

      Feed the bulldog only at appropriate times of the day, and do not leave food sitting out. Once the bulldog has eaten, remove the food. This will make mealtime a trigger not only for eating, but for using the bathroom.

    • 3

      Choose a location for the bulldog's designated bathroom spot. After she repeatedly goes in the same spot, she will associate it with bathroom procedures.

    • 4

      Take the bulldog outside to her designated bathroom spot no more than 15 minutes after eating, drinking, playtime or naptime. Stay in that spot until the dog urinates or defecates. The average bulldog needs to urinate or defecate within 15 minutes of food or water; dogs can sleep for a few hours at a time, and so will need to go after a nap. Playtime can cause excitement, which may cause the need for elimination.

    • 5

      Praise the bulldog profusely when he successfully urinates or defecates in the right place. A bulldog's nature is to respond well to emotional praise. Praise him verbally as soon as he starts to urinate, and back that up with petting and touches when he finishes. Once he associates the praise with the same location and the same action, your bulldog will catch on to the potty training procedure.

    • 6

      Signal train your bulldog for better communication. Hang a bell next to the door at the dog's level. Ring this bell each time you take him out to use the bathroom. Show him that he can ring the bell himself with his snout or paw. Eventually, the dog will catch on that this bell means bathroom, and will ring it himself when he has to go.

    • 7

      Use deodorizers and professional cleaning products to remove any smells if the bulldog urinates or defecates in the house. Dogs use their bathroom habits to mark their territories; if the bulldog can still smell his scent on a spot in the house, he will assume it is his spot and will go to the bathroom there again.