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Training English Bulldogs can be a challenging but rewarding experience for both you and your furry friend. These lovable dogs are known for their stubbornness and independent nature, but with the right training techniques, they can be taught to follow commands and become well-behaved pets.
Here are some tips for successful English Bulldog training:
- Start Early: It’s important to start training your English Bulldog as early as possible, ideally when they are still puppies. This will help establish good habits and behaviors from the beginning.
- Use Positive Reinforcement: English Bulldogs respond well to positive reinforcement training methods, such as treats and praise. Avoid using harsh punishments or physical discipline, as this can cause fear and aggression.
- Be Consistent: Consistency is key when training English Bulldogs. Use the same commands and techniques every time, and make sure everyone in the household is on the same page.
- Keep Training Sessions Short: English Bulldogs have a short attention span, so it’s important to keep training sessions short and focused. Aim for 10-15 minutes per session, and break up the training throughout the day.
- Socialize Your Bulldog: English Bulldogs can be prone to aggression and anxiety if they are not properly socialized. Make sure to expose your Bulldog to different people, animals, and environments from a young age.
- Be Patient: Training English Bulldogs can take time and patience. Don’t get discouraged if your dog doesn’t learn a command right away, and always reward good behavior.
Overall, training English Bulldogs requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. With the right techniques and plenty of love, your Bulldog can become a well-behaved and obedient companion.
Guide For Training English Bulldogs
English bulldogs are one of the most loving and friendly dog breeds that are adored by all.
Their beautiful coats and colors will have you falling in love with them at the very first glance.
However, they are known to have quite a stubborn temperament, making training them a little tricky. But don’t worry!
I’ve got your back. Read this article to get a complete guide on training English bulldogs.
What to Keep in Mind When Beginning Training?
English Bulldogs tend to suffer from health issues related to breathing and joint movement.
This means you must make sure not to overexert your English bulldog and trigger his health problems.
English bulldogs have short muzzles and a pushed-in nose, which results in flattened or smaller-sized breathing passageways.
This health issue makes them intolerant to exercise, so you always have to ensure not to tire your English bulldog out to the max.
They also suffer from Chondrodysplasia frequently, which results in abnormal cartilage growth. This makes them more prone to joint and ligament injuries than ordinary dogs.
You need to take special care to teach your dog any challenging stunts that can result in injury.
This dog breed, in particular, can’t tolerate high heat and humidity. These factors trigger heat strokes and breathing issues.
So if you want to train your English Bulldog outside, ensure that the weather isn’t too hot or too cold.
If you live in a country with an extreme climate, I would recommend climate-controlled indoor training.
If you see your English bulldog panting excessively, weird noises coming from his throat, or notice a discolored flappy tongue, immediately stop training him.
Give him plenty of cold water and let him rest.
If their condition doesn’t get better in a while, take them to the vet.
How To Train A Stubborn English Bulldog?
Be gentle and positive when training English Bulldogs. They are quite sensitive, and shouting or smacking them will only lead to negative results.
The best way to teach them is through their favorite treats.
These dogs also love to be petted, so remember to show lots of affection.
When they see that their actions result in happy consequences, they will learn faster and remain motivated.
When To Start Training English Bulldogs?
I would recommend training English Bulldogs as soon as you get it.
It helps in the development of the puppy’s brain and habits.
Plus, the sooner he is potty trained, the better!
You don’t want to clean your puppy’s poop every 2-3 hours daily.
I would also recommend setting a specific routine for your English bulldog when you begin to train him. This includes playtime, feeding time, and toilet time.
How To Train Your English Bulldog?
The best way for training English Bulldogs is to use positive reinforcement techniques.
These dogs love food in particular, so make sure to include several treats in your training regimen to keep your dog well motivated.
Done forget that Training English Bulldogs 101 involves using positive reinforcement methods, being consistent, patient, and persistent, addressing common training issues such as stubbornness and housebreaking, and considering professional training if needed.
Sit Command
Ask your English Bulldog to sit. Let him have a sniff of his favorite treat and then hold it over his head.
Your dog will move his nose upwards to follow the joy, which will make his rump touch the floor.
As soon as it does this, reward it, and praise it.
Do this a couple of times until your dog learns to move his nose upward and sit every time you give the ‘Sit’ command.
You can also place your hand on the dog’s rear and give it a gentle push to make it sit down.
Caution!
Once your dog sits when you ask it to, stop giving it the treat.
If you don’t do this soon after it learns the command, your dog will start going on a strike and barking excessively when it doesn’t get the treat upon sitting.
To take the treat out of the picture, keep them in your pocket.
Now, pretend to take a treat out of your pocket and hold your hand over your dog’s head.
It will follow your movement by moving its nose upward as if the treat was still there.
In this way, it will learn to follow the Sit command without being rewarded for it.
Make sure to do this with all other commands too.
Lay Down Command
Once your dog learns how to sit, you can teach him the laydown command easily.
Make the dog sniff the treat and then hold it a little above the ground.
Do this while asking your dog to lie down.
Every time he lays down, give him the treat along with lots of praise.
Importance of Safety Commands
English Bulldogs love food and sometimes may take a potentially dangerous item in their mouth.
Therefore, teaching him safety commands like ‘Leave it’ and ‘Drop it’ is a must.
Training English Bulldogs – Drop it Command
To teach the Drop it command, give your dog its favorite toy.
When your dog takes the toy into its mouth, order him to drop the toy while showing it a treat.
As soon as it drops the toy, give him the treat and lots of love and affection.
Remember that English Bulldogs love to be affectionate with their owners, and loving them every time they follow command is a great way to keep them motivated.
Training English Bulldogs – Leave it Command
Teach your dog the ‘leave it’ command by putting him on a leash.
Then, ask the dog to sit while putting his favorite toy in front of him.
Tell your dog to ‘Leave it’ and use the leash to prevent him from getting the toy.
Keep doing this until the dog learns to stay still and not struggle to get the toy. Then, give it its favorite treat and praise it.
Training English Bulldogs – Potty Training
English Bulldogs have fairly predictable bladder and bowel movements, so it is not hard to train them.
You need to take them to the toilet if you want to potty train them indoors or take them outside as soon as they wake up from a nap and go to bed.
Keep in mind that puppies don’t have a properly developed digestive system.
This means they’ll pee approximately 15 mins after they drink and poop after 30 minutes of eating. So make sure they’re outside the house 15 or 30 minutes after drinking and eating.
In the beginning, I would recommend taking your puppy out for emptying his bowel/bladder every half an hour.
Do this for a few weeks and then increase the time interval to one hour.
As they grow older, you will only need to take them outside once every 4-5 hours.
Always take your puppy to the same spot for emptying his bowels to learn that defecating anywhere else is wrong.
Your dog will eventually learn to associate pooping and peeing with a particular spot in your backyard.
Also, remember to reward him whenever he goes outside to pee/poop.
Training English Bulldogs – Socialization
This happens when he feels threatened by someone.
To keep his aggressiveness at bay, he must have had a positive encounter with pets since the beginning.
It would help if you took your pup to meet your friend’s or neighbor’s pet and reward his good behavior.
Dogs that don’t work out tend to be more hyperactive and aggressive when threatened.
So it would be a good idea to let your English bulldog get some exercise before meeting other people or pets as this will make him calmer.
Teaching Your English Bulldog His Name
This task is effortless. First, you have to say your English bulldog’s name.
When he looks at you, praise him by saying, ‘Good boy.’ Do this many times in different places and situations until he learns to associate this name with looking at you.
Training English Bulldogs – Training Time
Keep the training sessions short and fun. The maximum time you should spend on training your English Bulldog continuously is 10 minutes.
These dogs are couch potatoes and generally quite lazy.
Tools That Can Help Training English Bulldogs
I have compiled a few things that can help you with training your English Bulldog.
They have been listed below:
Clicker For Training English Bulldogs
This method of training is one of the best ways that you can use while training English bulldogs. It is based on positive reinforcement.
You will need a clicker to make the English bulldog understand what you want them to do.
A clicker is a small device that makes a neutral click sound every time it is clicked on.
You will click on the clicker every time your English bulldog does an action correctly to praise him. Clickers are used instead of marker words.
I have listed some of the best clickers that I found through Amazon.com.
#1 Petco Dog Training Clicker
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This clicker gives out a long noise when clicked and comes with a D-ring. This D-ring can be used as a keychain, or you can store it on your dog’s leash so that it isn’t lost.
#2 GOOD2GO Soft Training Clicker For Dogs
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This clicker is ideal if your English bulldog is sensitive to noise. It consists of a finger strap for your comfort. This is the perfect tool to get your dog to listen to you.
#3 Dog Training Clicker With Wrist Strap
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Dog Training Clicker with Wrist straps is easy to use; simple to push the button with a distinct clicking sound.
You can use it for dogs and cats, and it’s perfect for behavioral enhancement and training English bulldogs.
Training English Bulldogs Clicker comes with an elastic wristband, so you can leave it on your wrist or clip it to your dog leash or your pants.
To get full and practical training for your puppy, you need to treat your puppy after the command.
However, this Clicker can use for basic dog obedience and correct the bad behavior of your dog.
Training English Bulldogs can be done more efficiently and safely with this Clicker.
Leash/Harness For Training English Bulldogs
One of the essential accessories I discovered while training English bulldogs is a leash or harness. You can use either of them.
Although I prefer a harness as it allows the English bulldog to breathe much more comfortably.
I have listed some of the best leashes/harnesses found through Amazon.com.
#1 Kurgo Dog Harness
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This product comprises a front D-ring so that training English bulldogs can be quick.
It also has a leash that can be used while training. The leash will be attached to the D-ring.
This means that your dog won’t get pulled when you try to move it with the help of a leash.
The five adjustment points in this harness allow it to become perfect for your English bulldog.
The presence of plastic buckles makes it easy to take them off whenever you feel like doing so.
The fact that the harness has a padded chest and is lightweight makes it one of the best harnesses available for your English bulldog.
#2 Voyager Step-in Air Dog Harness
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One of the best harnesses available in the market for Training English Bulldogs and made up of Mesh. It’s soft, breathable, and lightweight per harness.
However, it’s perfect for walks all year round.
It comes in various colors for you to choose whichever one you like. And has good feuter for your dog’s safety like one hook and loop fastener, double D-rings, and buckle so it will give your pet a three-level of security.
Voyager harness is made with a love for easy-to-wear and straightforward vest harnesses.
Step By Step for English Bulldog Training Guide
If you’re a proud owner of an English bulldog, then you know that training your furry friend is essential. But where do you start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with our bulldog training step-by-step guide.
Step 1
Establish yourself as the pack leader.
Step 2
Start with basic commands like “sit” and “stay” during your bulldog puppy training.
Step 3
Use positive reinforcement techniques like treats and praise to encourage your bulldog English to obey during each bulldog training step.
Step 4
Move on to more advanced commands like “come” and “heel” as part of your step-by-step English bulldog training.
Step 5
Stick to a regular routine and be consistent with your training step English bulldog.
Step 6
Don’t give up if your bulldog doesn’t get it right away during your English bulldog training step teaching.
Step 7
With patience, persistence, and a lot of love, you’ll have a well-trained bulldog in no time by following each bulldog training step teaching.
Before You Go
I would advise you to start training English bulldogs at early as possible. Please do not wait for it to grow up!
This is because as they grow older, they become more aggressive and stubborn.
Both these qualities will make it very difficult for you to train an English bulldog. Thus, teach them when they are puppies with full confidence and show your English bulldog that you know exactly what you are doing.
With a blend of affirmation, control, and patience, these English bulldogs can be trained easily.
I would also advise you to keep your English bulldog in the company of other dogs so that they learn socializing and good behavior.
This is everything that you need to know when training English bulldogs.
Enjoy the whole journey with your English bulldog, and make lots of memories in this process.
FAQs
Are English bulldogs easy to train?
English bulldogs can be stubborn and independent, which can make them more difficult to train than some other breeds. However, with consistent and positive training methods, they can learn basic obedience commands.
What is the best way to train an English bulldog?
The best way to train an English bulldog is through positive reinforcement methods, such as using treats and praise to reward good behavior. Consistency, patience, and persistence are also key.
How long does it take to train an English bulldog?
The time it takes to train an English bulldog can vary depending on the individual dog and the training goals. Basic obedience training can take several weeks to several months, while more advanced training can take longer.
What are some common training issues with English bulldogs?
Common training issues with English bulldogs include stubbornness, difficulty with housebreaking, and a tendency to pull on the leash during walks. These issues can be addressed with consistent training and patience.
Do English bulldogs need professional training?
While professional training is not necessary for all English bulldogs, it can be helpful for some dogs and owners. A professional trainer can provide guidance and support for more challenging training issues, as well as help owners develop a training plan that works for their individual dog.
How do you discipline an English bulldog?
Disciplining an English bulldog should involve positive reinforcement techniques, such as redirecting unwanted behavior and rewarding good behavior with treats and praise. Physical punishment or harsh scolding should be avoided as it can damage the bond between the owner and the dog.
Are English bulldogs hard to house train?
English bulldogs can be difficult to house train due to their stubbornness and independent nature. However, with consistent and positive training methods, they can learn to be house trained successfully.
How long does it take an English bulldog to potty train?
As a general rule, it can take as long as 4-6 months to potty train an English bulldog. However, some dogs may learn faster than others, and the training process can be influenced by factors such as consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement methods.
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