Bulldog puppies are adorable, but they can be high maintenance because of health problems. They also need regular grooming and consistent training.
Exercising Bulldog Puppies
Bulldogs are not the type of dog that can go on a long jog or bike ride with you. They require regular exercise, but they tend to play hard and tire easily, because they're not built for long exercise sessions.
When you're exercising your bulldog puppy, or even setting up a place for him to stay, be aware that they are very weather intolerant. Because they have difficulty breathing, they have difficulty controlling their body temperature, both when it is too hot and too cold. Be aware of heat exhaustion when walking and don't leave your bulldog outside for long periods during extreme weather. Be sure to set up a room with temperature control where he can spend most of his time.
On walks, consider using a harness rather than a collar. Since they have difficulty breathing, collars can often choke bulldog puppies, causing trachea damage that will make it worse later in life. Bulldogs can be stubborn, but don't use choke corrections to get your dog walking or get him to stop pulling.
Instead, train your dog to keep walking by cuing him to go and then rewarding him when he does or stopping when he pulls and moving again when the leash is loose. This will reduce dangerous choking.
Feeding Bulldog Puppies
Depending on the shape of your bulldog's jaw, he might have trouble picking up food out of a food bowl or off the ground. Try to find a larger flat bowl that your dog can easily maneuver around, or hand feed meals.
Because of the difficulty, your bulldog might inhale air while eating and become prone to bloat. To avoid this, try not to exercise your dog just after eating. Keep an eye on your dog after meals. If he seems anxious or hunched, feel this abdomen. If it feels like a drum or the behavior continues, contact your veterinarian immediately.
In addition, your dog's strong jaw makes it easy to break off big chunks of bone or toys that could easily get stuck in his throat. Give him bones or toys such as tennis balls only when supervised, in case of choking.
Grooming Bulldog Puppies
Though bulldogs have short hair, they still have grooming requirements. Their face wrinkles should be cleaned each day or every two days to avoid buildup of sweat and bacteria. Using a washcloth with mild soap will suffice, and many bulldog owners recommend baby wipes.
If your dog's skin seems irritated, add a little Vaseline to the skin around the wrinkles and to the nose to soothe skin. If your bulldog has a lot of white, he may be prone to irritated skin, so soothe with oatmeal shampoo or other similar products. Use sunscreen if your dog will be outside.
Training Bulldog Puppies
Bulldogs can be stubborn, so be sure to teach basic skills and enforce rules around your house. Bulldog puppies may be prone to resource guarding, so do exchanges with your puppy where he drops a bone and you give him a similar or even better reward in exchange.
Bulldogs can also be dog aggressive so begin to socialize with older, friendly dogs beginning at a young age. The more positive experiences they have with dogs, the better. Early training provides your dog with a framework that will make him a happy, healthy adult dog.