Why Bulldogs Become Aggressive

Bulldogs that act aggressively as adults are reflecting their genetics, to some extent.  But those characteristics are far more likely to come to the fore if the dog is poorly trained, like a spoiled child who is led to believe it is in control.  A Bulldog that is not neutered or spayed may be aggressive, for the drive to breed is powerfully ingrained.  More significant than these factors, however, is the Bulldog’s environment as it grows to maturity.  Poor training, harsh treatment by other dogs or people, and a lack of socialization are the breeding grounds for aggressiveness.

Aggressive behavior may show up in a Bulldog as young as 6 weeks of age.  At this vital stage the puppy is becoming socialized.  As part of this training it must learn who is the boss and what actions are appropriate and which won’t be tolerated, such as biting people or other pets.  It is essential that you maintain a firm hand during this socialization period, which will last until the dog is at least 15 or 16 weeks old.

To ensure a happy, peaceful Bulldog be careful to follow these guidelines.  First, keep the pup with the litter to at least 8 weeks.  Removing it prior to that will produce insecurities and confusion that may turn up in aggressive behavior.  Any discipline should be measured and calm, free of yelling or violence.  Be firm and in control.  If you are overly aggressive the dog will respond with aggression as a safety measure.  Make sure you spend plenty of time with the Bulldog puppy during this time and get it involved with children and other adults for proper socialization.

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Again, remember the dog-pack origin of Bulldogs.  Early aggressive behavior is to be expected.  The dog wants to know if its master has what it takes to be the leader of its pack.  Aggressive play, biting or posturing are signs the dog is looking for leadership.  Let your Bulldog puppy know with a firm but gentle hand that you are dominant and he or she will be very content living under your authority.

Putting an End to Aggressive Behavior in Bulldogs

Rarely will aggressive behavior show up in a Bulldog that has been well trained.  If your dog has not been spayed or neutered by 12-14 months, then have it altered immediately.  If the behavior continues, follow the same philosophy you did when it was a puppy.  Establish clear authority as the pack leader without harming or frightening the dog.  Use appropriate rewards and punishments to let it know what you expect of it.

A Bulldog that is not clear on expectations will become confused and aggressive. Communicate what you expect clearly.  Make the Bulldog sit before you set down its food dish.  Do not allow it to go through the door before you as you head out for a walk.  When walking, make it go at your pace, and stop when you tell it to.  The Bulldog must learn to live on your terms.  The surprising reality is that this will actually make for a happier, more contented animal.

If you see defensive aggression in your adult Bulldog, it might be time to seek professional help through an obedience class or one on one dog training.  More than likely, something was missed in the dog’s early socialization, or perhaps you are being harsh, not properly authoritative.  With patience and persistence even stubborn adult Bulldog behaviors can be changed.  Simply remember the basics.  Be the alpha-leader in your home, whether you are male or female.  Expect the best from your Bulldog companion and the chances are that he or she will be eager to please you by delivering good behavior.

Selecting Your Puppy

The right relationship with your Bulldog starts by selecting a good dog to begin with.  Only buy from a quality breeder who can assure you of the dog’s pedigree.  Never take a dog from its litter before 8 weeks, even if you select it prior to that.  Spend time with the entire litter, observing the demeanor of the mother and puppies before choosing a Bulldog pup that seems friendly.  Avoid those that show clear signs of aggressive behavior.  Have the dog looked over by a veterinarian prior to closing the deal and taking the Bulldog home with you.  This breed does have some genetic weaknesses that can lead to health problems, and a qualified vet might be able to spot them early, saving you heartache and vet bills down the road.

Start training your Bulldog puppy immediately.  This begins with ongoing socialization with each member of your family.  During these vital first weeks in your home the dog will come to understand its place in the family.  Put a quick end to any aggressive behavior with firm discipline that is never harsh or accompanied by yelling or striking in anger.  This will prevent inappropriate aggression later.

Training Your Bulldog Puppy

House training, or potty training, should begin at about 10 weeks.  Due to the stubborn nature of Bulldogs crate training is advisable.  The more someone can be home to let the dog go outdoors, the better.  Once it understands what is expected, your Bulldog’s stubborn nature will work for you – it will rarely allow itself to soil its environment.

General training of your new family member begins with one simple rule: Let the Bulldog know that you are in charge and it will serve you contentedly throughout its life.  It really is that simple.  Be a calm, controlled, authoritative pack leader in the home and the dog will live up to your expectations.  Nip in the bud inappropriate actions such as biting, chewing on shoes or furniture, and getting onto the couch.  Keep the dog crated quite a bit in the early months.  Restricting its activities will pay off in better behavior when more activities are allowed as it earns greater liberty.  Letting a Bulldog puppy have the run of the house will create issues as it grows to adulthood that will be very difficult to overcome.

When your Bulldog reaches 3 months begin obedience training at home if you are qualified, or in a class.  Over the next 3-4 months your puppy should learn to follow basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and lie down.  The Bulldog should also learn to walk at your pace without pulling on the leash.  These stubborn dogs will test you, but if you stick to your position of authority the lessons will go even deeper and produce a content, well-behaved Bulldog.

Using Bulldog Puppy Training to Protect Them

You will grow to love your Bulldog’s inherent courage and lack of natural fear.  But it will be a challenge at first.  Your little pup might take to wandering off, chasing cars, or mixing it up with larger dogs.  Curb inappropriate expressions of that nature by keeping him or her on the leash whenever you are out and about, at least until the dog proves it will come immediately when called.

Bulldogs make wonderful companions and trusty pets if their early training is handled properly.  Take care early and your adult dog will display the characteristic Bulldog loyalty, cleanliness, attention, courage and obedience throughout the long, contented life.

The Basics of Clicker Training

Start clicker training by purchasing a loud clicker from your local pet supply store.  Somewhat like Pavlov’s bell, the clicker will be used to communicate with your Bulldog.  However, rather than signaling the dog that a specific action is required, the clicker will let them know they’ve responded appropriately to your verbal commands and that a treat is on the way.  Association is the common thread in both.  Pick up a clicker and a bag of treats, and then read on to find out the details of clicker training for Bulldogs.

The Essentials of Clicker Training

Clicker training is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Step one, instruct the dog to perform a basic action such as sit, lie down, fetch the ball, or come to you.  When the Bulldog obeys mark its behavior with a click and a treat.  It will take some time for the dog to associate the click with the fulfillment of your wishes, so be patient.

When it does catch on, the clicker offers your Bulldog immediate feedback that it has done a good job, and since a clicker or other noisemaker is more consistent than the variable human voice it is more easily understood.  Practice here makes perfect.  When your dog responds, provide the treat and continue with the same training for several more repetitions, reinforcing the behavior with clicks and treats.

Be sure to verbally recognize your dog’s behavior, too.  In time the clicker will no longer be needed, nor will the treats, and your Bulldog will be contented solely with the sound of your approving words.  A loving pat on the head will also communicate your pleasure.  Since dogs are wired to want to please their leader, this will create a wonderful synergy between the two of you.

Moving from Clicker to the Spoken Command

Step two is to move from clicker to voice command.  As we alluded to, a well-trained dog can be weaned off the clicker and the treats.  Replace the noisemaker with verbal commands and verbal praise, with a good dose of physical affection added to the mix.  To help with the transition from clicker to verbal commands, most experts suggest you speak the command and then click immediately, followed by the giving of the reward.

The third step is to supply generous spoken and physical praise whenever your Bulldog obeys your verbal command.  In short time a well-trained dog will no longer need to hear the clicker.  The response to your verbal commands will become ingrained.  You being pleased with your dog will become reward enough.  You will enjoy a well-trained dog that you can trust and rely upon.  Your Bulldog will enjoy a secure position knowing that it is pleasing and useful to its master.

Potential Health Problems in Bulldogs

Providing your Bulldog puppy with good nutrition, the proper shots, exercise, regular teeth brushing and a clean living environment are the keys to preventing illness and disease.  Beyond that, you must learn to look for symptoms of problems.  Since your dog can’t tell you what is wrong, knowing what to look for is vital to early diagnosis.  Keeping a close watch on these 4 areas will help ensure good health for your growing dog.

Infections:  A young dog’s ears, eyes, teeth and skin are places where infections can take hold.  Check each of these areas frequently for signs of redness, swelling, bumps or dots.  Clean out their ears with approved methods as often as recommended by your veterinarian.  Gently wipe their eyes clean of dirt and foreign substances when they come in from being out of doors.  Brush their teeth weekly.  Infections are quite easy to avoid with proper care and diligence.

Diabetes: Canine diabetes is a growing concern because many dogs are eating very poor diets, mirroring the poor health habits of the humans they live with.  Avoiding this problem is as easy as keeping your Bulldog on a diet designed for them.  Reduce or eliminate table scraps and over-feeding.  Stick to a recommended diet and this problem will not crop up in one Bulldog in a thousand.

Obesity: This ailment is the result of poor nutrition combined with a lack of exercise.  Obesity will cause deadly associated problems such as heart disease, liver disease, cancer and skin problems.  These and other ailments are hard to overcome, if they can be treated at all.  And attempting to save your beloved Bulldog from them can be very expensive, leading to very difficult decisions.  Avoid obesity and all of its troubles by feeding your dog properly and taking it out for exercise daily.

Allergies: Bulldogs can be plagued by allergies, just like people.  Flea bites can cause an allergic reaction and hot spots which might even become infected.  Keep fleas off your pet with flea collars and medication.  Other times, skin allergies might be a response to dietary elements.  If your Bulldog shows signs of allergies including running nose, red eyes, or hot spots on their skin, first make sure their diet is correct.  If the symptoms do not clear up then promptly schedule an appointment with a veterinarian.

Arthritis and Dysplasia: Unfortunately, Bulldogs like all purebreds are susceptible to joint issues, due to the longer, narrower joints they often possess.  The best things you can do to ward off these problems are to make sure your pet receives good nutrition including supplementary vitamins and minerals.  Also provide lots of exercise in order to build up the muscles that support weaker joints.  Most vets will also check your dog for degenerative joint disease at its yearly check-up – be sure to schedule one if that is not a regular habit.

While some health issues cannot be avoided, the majority can be eliminated or forestalled.  The keys for Bulldogs are not much different than the keys for their masters.  They include good diet, plenty of exercise, good hygiene, and the right supplements and vitamins to counteract the effects of environment and aging.  Continue to keep a keen eye out for any symptoms of the mentioned ailments and have issues treated immediately.  With this approach your Bulldog’s life may well be long and happy.

Good training will teach you how to lead your dog and will instruct your puppy how to follow your lead.  It really boils down to just that.  A well-trained Bulldog will exude confidence, character, loyalty and sheer contentment in pleasing you.  And you will have the same confidence that you can handle a tough, persistent dog like most Bulldogs tend to be.

This overview of dog training will let you know what to expect – or what things to work on at home if obedience classes are not a possibility for you.

Dog Obedience Training is good for Dog and Master

Dogs need a leader of the pack or they will vie for that role themselves.  If you’ve ever visited the house of a friend where the family pooch is in control it is an ugly scene.  Dog obedience training will prevent this from happening in your home by teaching you the proper attitude and techniques for being the leader your dog will be happy to follow.  Here’s what we mean.

You are the Leader: Not all leaders are good leaders in the dog/human relationship.  Harsh, violent leadership is tyranny and the dog will respond defensively and aggressively to protect itself. Authoritative, calm leadership will let the dog know it is safe and secure as long as it behaves.  That is a powerful motivator to your canine friend!  Be the Alpha “dog” your pup can trust!

You give the commands: Teaching a dog to sit might be a simple novelty to some.  For savvy Bulldog owners who understand the “bulldog” persistency of the breed they chose, training that dog to sit at your command is the foundation for a wonderful relationship that benefits you both immensely.

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Once the dog gives heed to this command teaching it to lie down, chase, follow, etc. are a breeze.  Sit before being fed.  Sit before being allowed out.  Sit while waiting for you to throw the stick.  In every instance the dog is recognizing your authority and responding correctly.  Don’t forget to acknowledge that obedience with plenty of praise!

You set the pace on walks: If your dog can pull you around the neighborhood then you are on the leash, not it!  Demand that your Bulldog keep to your pace.  Find a park or open space where the dog can be let off the leash for a good run, but only when it has demonstrated the commitment to return to you immediately when you call.

These behavior qualities can be learned at home.  If you and your dog don’t have them down by the time he or she is 10-12 months old, it might be time to consider an obedience class where you both can stabilize the foundation of good dog behavior before it is too late.

Continuing the education at home

It is essential that the training you both receive in an obedience class be reinforced every day at home once the class is over.  Otherwise the gains you have made will be lost.  Your dog may become defiant and disobedient, testing you to see if you really are in charge.  Consistency is essential, of course.  It is also important to get every person in the household to follow the rules for the dog.

No one allow the dog on the couch.  No one feed the dog apart from meal time.  No one yell at the dog as a means of discipline, etc.  This way your Bulldog will know what to expect and will be content with a set of unchanging rules.

Train your dog to be obedient and happy and it will do all it can to live up to your expectations.  Let it get away with being disobedient and you are training it just as surely.  Be consistent, firm and loving so that your Bulldog will be an important, valued and contented part of the family.

The Root Causes of Separation Anxiety in your Bulldog

Since dogs are natural followers of the pack leader – in this case, you – they will naturally experience some anxiety when you are not there.  They may feel abandoned or confused.  Left to follow their own inclination, chaos might ensue.  Since you probably say goodbye to your dog before you leave the house, giving it lots of love and attention, he or she will be in a heightened emotional state when you depart and the dog’s emotions crash as you close the door behind you.  Not having the ability to handle those feelings, your pooch may act out.

Ending Separation Anxiety in your Bulldog

The good news is that there are specific ways you can help your dog overcome this issue.  Give these a try and you’ll likely find one or more that offer significant assistance.

Mix Up Your Schedule: Dogs respond to certain physical cues in their environment. It is inherent to their survival in the wild.  Your alarm clock, for example, lets the dog know the day is starting.  Your routine in the morning informs the dog that this is a typical day and you will be soon leaving, and be gone for quite a while.  To counteract this, change what you can.  Switch your alarm clock from ringer to radio.  Take your Bulldog for a short walk some mornings.  Leave by a different door, if possible.  Vary any detail you can and your companion will be less conditioned to expect the worse – a long day without you.

Be Nonchalant about leaving and returning: When you pour attention on your Bulldog when leaving and when returning it reinforces the fact that you will be, or have been away.  Walk out the door with little fanfare.  Come in the same way.  Communicate to your dog through your actions that your leaving is not a reason for hysteria.  Save your affection for your pooch till later, when you are both relaxed and when extra attention is not associated with your being gone.

Train your Bulldog to handle your absence: The best way to do this is to leave your pooch for a few minutes and then return.  Stay away for intervals of varying lengths.  This effectively changes the expectations your Bulldog will have when you leave the house.  Problems arise when he or she has been habituated to expect that you’ll be gone for hours when you walk out.  In time, your Bulldog will accept your going as normal and will learn to get on with its day, so to speak, without you present.

Don’t be hard on yourself: It is in your Bulldog’s best interest to lose interest in your coming and going.  Don’t feel bad about ignoring your dog when leaving or returning.  When the dog has learned the lesson and gained some maturity, a hearty good-bye and friendly greeting might be in order again.  Until then, remember that those habits may cause your dog more stress and anxiety than good.  Stress is bad for your Bulldog’s mental and physical health, so do all you can to reduce it in their lives.

To summarize what we are saying, work to make your leaving and returning a natural part of your Bulldog’s life.  Eventually they will acquire the confidence that they can handle the absence of their leader, that they are not abandoned, that you will return and all will be well.  Reinforce these concepts and your companion will be content in your absence.

Your Bulldog May Actually Like the Crate

When a dog is trained from a puppy to use a crate they will usually enjoy it.  The crate provides a safe, secure place for your Bulldog, replicating the burrow or hole a wild dog will inhabit to stay safe and warm.  This need for safety is in their genes, so apart from not always being able to come and go at will, the crate will provided something your dog needs – a secure space all their own.  Without such a space a dog may become anxious, feeling it must somehow stay safe in a space that is beyond its means to control.

Essentials of Crate Training your Bulldog

Whenever possible, begin crate training as a puppy.  A mature dog will find it hard to adapt to a crate, but it can be done.  It will take patience on your part.  Start the dog young and have it sleep in the crate from the beginning. As it grows, that will be the place it seeks out for rest, comfort and security, not the couch or your bed.

During the day, place the crate in a room where people will frequently be.  Dog’s are social and want company.  At night, place the crate in your bedroom so the dog has the security of its leader being close at hand.  As the dog matures, leave the crate where it is most convenient and the dog won’t likely care whether it is in your room or down in the kitchen, for example.  Feeling secure in the crate will be the main thing, especially for dogs that otherwise get sufficient attention and enough exercise to help them sleep well at night.

Make the crate comfortable and cozy.  Place water in the crate along with a toy or two.  Make sure your Bulldog has been let out to relieve itself prior to being crated, to avoid accidents and discomfort to your pooch.  Fit the crate to the dog.  It should be large enough to provide comfortable sleeping but not be large enough to play in or run around in when full-grown.

When you first begin to crate your dog he or she might object and start whining or barking.  Ignore your pooch entirely, or give it a quiet but firm verbal reprimand.  The more attention you give to its tantrums the more it will fuss.  If you decide to take the Bulldog out of the crate make sure it has been quiet for 5-10 minutes, then remove it and give it words of praise for its good behavior.

If you’re wondering how long a puppy should remain in the crate, a good rule of thumb is to start with a half hour several times per day while you are home, and extend it to several hours, unless the dog is sleeping.  Let sleeping dogs lie, as they say.  Eventually you’ll want the dog to be conditioned to spend your entire workday in the crate.

There are benefits to crating your Bulldog for everyone.  The dog will learn to be quiet and content, as well as having a safe, comfortable haven.  A calmer dog won’t disrupt your routine or the household’s peace, either.  Your visitors won’t have to contend with a barking, sniffing, and licking pooch either.  Start your Bulldog puppy at a young age and the crate will always be a valuable asset for you both.

Nip Puppy Biting in the Bud

Many Bulldog pups will go through a biting stage and this is the easiest and best time to stop it.  The younger the dog the easier your task, since puppies are easier to train. And since puppies up to 6 months are still forming their foundational character lessons learned during this time will likely be retained for a lifetime.

Many Bulldog owners make the mistake of thinking their puppy is only playing when he or she bites, or is perhaps teething.  In reality, your dog is testing its environment to find its place in the pack.  Many dogs are genetically inclined to seek a dominant position and biting or showing its teeth is one of the primary ways it will do this.  So, stopping the biting is more about teaching your dog its place than it is about changing a simple habit.

The most important thing you can do is to maintain firm authority in the relationship without being harsh or violent.  Let your Bulldog know that you are the leader and that you will be a good caregiver and protector if the dog follows the rules.  It might also be helpful to mimic how a mother dog or litter mates would behave.  Give a nasal whine when the dog bites, and perhaps give it a light pinch on the neck to show your puppy what it feels like.

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A stern word, given without anger, will help reinforce the negative consequences of biting.  Some offer a toy as a replacement for biting and there is a place for that, but it won’t teach the dog the kind of pack behavior that is most essential.  If the problem is persistent take your Bulldog to a professional trainer for evaluation and help in curing the problem.

How to Stop Biting in a “Teenaged” Dog

A poorly trained dog might grow toward maturity believing that nipping and biting are acceptable. A Bulldog 10-12 months old is considered a teenager, for comparison sake.  If it bites at this age take strong steps to stop the behavior before it becomes so ingrained you may have to do something drastic.  Stop playing any kind of game with your dog that simulates fighting – tug of war, wrestling, and so forth.

Secondly, you should enforce stricter limits on the dog as a way of retraining it.  Start crate training if you haven’t done that yet.  Sign up for an obedience class and attend every session, putting into practice at home what you and your Bulldog are learning.  Expect obedience from your dog and deliver firm, controlled consequences for its bad behavior.  Also praise your pooch when it follows direction and obeys.

How to Stop Your Bulldog from Biting in Adulthood

If a Bulldog continues to bite into its mature years then you’ve got a major problem to contend with.  Your dog believes it is the leader of the pack, and this which may lead it to attack you, another person or another pet.

Seek the help of a professional trainer and follow their guidance carefully.  Learn what you’ve done to help create this problem and change your actions.  If you don’t change your behavior toward the dog you simply cannot expect it to change its actions.  Unless the dog is impaired in some way, its biting is a result of conditioning and a lack of pack leadership.

Assert your dominance or risk someone being harmed by the dog or having to have your Bulldog destroyed.  Now you see why biting is so serious and why nipping it in your Bulldog puppy is always the best way to go.

Bulldogs are intelligent dogs.  They train very well, and if it is handled correctly, their smarts, loyalty stubbornness and eagerness to please will drive them to maintain good behavior throughout their lives.  With poor training, some of those same qualities will possibly lead the dog to seek to dominate the household.

Bulldogs Have Special Qualities

Training a Bulldog can be unique in several ways.  While their demeanor is generally calm, they are athletic dogs and require quite a bit of exercise on a daily basis.  Lurking beneath that placid look is a lot of energy that needs to be expended in healthy ways or it may be burned off in mischief and misbehavior.  Give them a good daily dose of exercise, even a light jog or run, and they’ll be much more contented and teachable.

Bulldogs also are social dogs.  Give your Bulldog puppy and maturing dog a fair amount of attention and it will be eager to please.  Note that if your puppy is using bad behavior to get attention this must be stopped.  It may also be a sign you’re neglecting your pooch more than you should.  Provide good socialization with people and with other dogs or pets, too.

The stubbornness of a well-trained Bulldog is a beautiful thing.  It will doggedly seek to please you.  But while young your Bulldog will need to know you are the master and that your training is of benefit to the dog.  It may resist some lessons, but with patience and repetition it will learn them for life.

Essential Principles for Training your Bulldog

The earliest and best training any dog receives happens while it is still with its mother and litter mates.  It learns important lessons daily during this time so never remove a dog from the litter until it is at least 8 weeks old.  The socialization it gets is invaluable and is hard to duplicate away from the litter.

When you bring your Bulldog pup home continue the socialization so it doesn’t pick up a sense of abandonment.  You or someone living in your household should be home for most hours of the day the first month or 6 weeks your pup is there.  Having another quality dog may provide good socialization, too.  Join an obedience class where your Bulldog can interact with other dogs under the watchful care of all the owners together.  Correct misbehavior such as biting or nipping other dogs during these sessions.

While it is tempting to train a Bulldog to be a guard dog this is not advisable.  It may make them more aggressive than you want them to be.  Most Bulldog owners understand that their muscular-looking dog is intimidating to begin with.  Secondly, many Bulldog owners have discovered that their loyal friend needs no training to come to the aid of its master when a real threat is evident.

Effective Bulldog Training to Last a Lifetime

Early lessons go deep with a Bulldog, so begin early and keep up persistent training until your pet reaches adulthood.  Start with house breaking your dog as well as exerting confident leadership over it.  Be firm, encouraging, consistent, and never violent.  Your Bulldog will work hard to follow your direction and will be happy and contented with your authority, protection, and knowing what to expect.

Some of the basic things to teach your Bulldog include obeying commands to sit, heel, and perhaps to lie down.  In addition, train your pooch to learn to walk on a leash at your pace without tugging or running.  Preventing them from chasing things is also a good idea.  It will protect them and whatever it is that has caught their attention.  Also remember to maintain good socialization opportunities for your Bulldog.

All Bulldog training is part of the larger picture of helping your dog to be comfortable following your leadership and obeying your commands.  Be persistent and patient during the training process and you will end up with a wonderful pet Bulldog that will prove a great companion and asset.

The Reason a Bulldog Bites

Bulldogs are not known as biters, generally.  However, if you are battling this problem with your Bulldog it might help to know the main reason they do bite.  Biting is in a dog’s genes.  In the wild, it is part of striving for dominance in the pack and is common when there is no clear leader.  Dog’s have an innate need to know who the Alpha-Dog is, and if there isn’t one, its instincts will tell it to take charge.  Biting is an assertion of dominance.  If your Bulldog is biting it may be evidence that your leadership and authority needs to be more firm.

Putting an End to Biting

Your Bulldog is a smart animal, as you surely know.  That means it can be trained very well if the training makes sense to the dog and is carried out with authority, not with violence or yelling.  It begins with properly socializing your puppy, and the way this starts is by leaving it with its mother and litter mates until it is at least 8 weeks old.  Its mother will be the first to teach it that aggressive biting is a no-no.  Here is where it begins to learn to control the instinct to pursue dominance.

Once your Bulldog puppy is with you, continue to socialize the dog by having it around people and other dogs, keeping a careful eye that bigger dogs don’t take advantage of it.  Be calm with your Bulldog puppy, firm and controlled.  Also be warm and encouraging as it learns what you expect.  Once it knows you are in charge and what you want it to do it will eagerly seek to please you.  Don’t act aggressively or the puppy may learn to act the same way as a means of protecting itself.

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When your Bulldog puppy does bite make a whimpering noise to let it know it has hurt you, and then very calmly reprimand it.  A firm “no” is usually enough for your smart Bulldog pup.  Some experts suggest offering the dog a chew toy, which is fine, but be sure that before you do, your pooch knows that you are in charge and that biting you is not acceptable.

Biting in Older Bulldogs

If your Bulldog is more than 1 year old and still nips or bites, then you’ve got to get to work immediately to curb the behavior.  The remedial training must begin with exerting your authority over the dog so that it knows it must please you or suffer negative consequences such as being crated. Start with basics like instituting a feeding schedule, expecting the dog to sit before being fed, and obeying your wishes on your daily walk.  Again, be the alpha-leader your dog needs!  Never give in to whining and always reprimand misbehavior.  Don’t engage in tussles or games that simulate fighting.  Expect a calm, controlled dog and with persistence you will be rewarded.  The truth is, your Bulldog will be much happier knowing it is secure under your authority.

Other things that will help your Bulldog be a good pooch include giving it plenty of exercise to burn off excess energy, removing anything from its environment that causes anxiety such as someone who teases or taunts the dog, and enrolling your pooch and yourself in a training class where you both can learn valuable principles of dog obedience.

If you have an adult Bulldog that will not stop biting then you’ve got a tough decision to make.  Consult with a licensed dog trainer or with your vet about what can be done, if anything.  Attempt to discover the underlying causes of the aggressive behavior and remedy them if you can.