The English Bulldog is known for its muscular build, thick jaw, wrinkled skin, and flat face. This dog breed is considered handsome and fun to be a pet. Broadly speaking, the maintenance of British bulldog puppies is the same as that of most other dogs. However, given their unique traits, puppies of this breed will also require some special treatment. By making sure his special needs are met, you will have a very loyal pet for years to come.
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Part 1 of 5: Feeding
Step 1. Make a gradual change of food brands
Purchase a small supply of food that your puppy has been eating since before his arrival into your home. This is intended to prevent the digestive system from going into shock. If you want to change the food brand, do it slowly. Mix 1/2 the old brand and 1/2 the new brand for one week, then 1/4 the old brand and 3/4 the new brand for a week, and only then can you give the whole brand new food.
Step 2. Feed on a regular schedule
You should feed your puppy three times a day on a regular schedule for the first four months of your pet. By the sixth month, you can reduce it to twice a day, and by the 12th month, you can reduce it to just once a day.
Step 3. Give your British Bulldog puppy a high-quality, balanced diet
Usually, commercial dog food will suffice for him. First, check the first five ingredients listed on the label on the package. One or two of these should be meat (not meat-derived products, which isn't a problem, but should be at the bottom of the list of ingredients) followed by vegetables and whole grains.
Occasionally, British bulldogs will show signs of intolerance such as diarrhea, vomiting, or skin sores to one or more of the ingredients in their food. If your puppy shows these signs, consult a veterinarian to determine the cause and follow the strict diet given to reduce the symptoms
Step 4. Do not give human food, especially food that is harmful to the dog's digestive system
Keep in mind that there are some human foods that can make a dog sick or even kill it. Some of them are:
- Avocado
- Alcohol
- Chocolate
- Grapes, raisins
- Onions, onions, garlic
- Peanut
- Yeast dough
- Anything made with xylitol sweeteners, especially those found in sugar-free candies
Step 5. Monitor your dog's weight
English bulldogs can gain weight easily, and as such, you should prevent your pup from becoming overweight. If the body is too heavy, talk to your vet about the best and safest way to rebalance it.
- Remember that snacks will add calories to his diet. Therefore, only give small amounts of treats and give little by little to your puppy except when you are taking him on the move.
- Observe your dog's Body Condition Score (BCS) every month to see if he is overweight or not. A normal-weight dog will have a belly that looks like it's protruding inward (viewed from the side) and its ribs, although they don't appear to be sticking out of the skin, are easy to feel when you touch them. An overweight dog will lose the curve of his belly because fat will accumulate in that area and the rib area. The curvature of the abdomen will become more extreme and the ribs will be clearly visible on the surface of the skin.
Step 6. Provide clean water at all times
This is especially important in hot or humid weather. Also, don't forget to wash their food and drink containers with soap and water twice a week because bulldogs often splash their food and drink in all directions.
Part 2 of 5: Keeping Puppies Healthy
Step 1. Observe the teething process from the moment the puppy arrives at your house
Make sure you have plenty of biting toys to help with the growth stage. Cow's hooves are a highly recommended bite object and are available at many pet stores. Avoid giving raw skin, pork ears, and Greenies brands which can cause severe diarrhea, flatulence, and choking.
Step 2. Monitor your puppy's health
For example, watch for signs of diarrhea after you change your puppy's diet. If your bulldog has diarrhea, stop feeding it for twelve hours. If the diarrhea persists for more than 24 hours, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible to prevent dehydration. Puppies can become dehydrated very quickly, and as such, you should take diarrheal illness very seriously.
Step 3. Provide preventive treatment to treat local parasites
A dog can be attacked by parasites such as fleas, mites and stomach worms. If you don't provide regular preventive medication, your pup will be attacked by these parasites easily. Contact your veterinarian to learn about the types of parasites that attack the dog population around your home and how to deal with them.
- Liver worms are parasites that are spread by mosquitoes and are found in various regions in Indonesia. Annual blood tests are necessary to make sure your dog is not infected with the parasite, and monthly tablets or injections (the treatment period can last up to six months) should also be given to kill parasitic organisms already present in the bloodstream. Treatment of heartworm can be done, but at a high cost, takes a long time, and physically drains the dog.
- Another vaccination to consider-especially if you live in an endemic area-is the Lyme disease vaccine. This is especially important for dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors, on farms, or for hunting dogs who are at a greater risk of developing Lyme disease. In addition to joint pain, swelling, and fever, dogs can also suffer from fatal kidney problems from Lyme disease.
Step 4. Take your puppy to the vet for regular checkups
Usually, puppies will be taken by their first master (the puppy's mother) for their first vet check-up at six weeks of age. The doctor will perform an examination to make sure the puppy is not suffering from hernia, heart, lung, eye, or ear disease. Normally, puppies will be dewormed at the examination and will receive their first injection (the distemper vaccine). At nine weeks of age, and again at twelve weeks of age, deworming and distemper vaccine will be repeated. Thereafter, both treatments can be given once per year only or on a schedule that you and your veterinarian have determined.
- At twelve weeks of age, a rabies vaccination will be given. These vaccinations will usually depend on local laws. In many places, this vaccination is mandatory, and sometimes, you will face severe penalties if your dog is not vaccinated against rabies, especially if your dog bites someone or another pet.
- As the dog ages, more regular checkups should also be given. Twice per year, examinations will be carried out to detect any symptoms of the disease. Older dogs are more likely to develop arthritis and heart disease, as are older people. There is now a safe and effective treatment available that will help your aging dog live the rest of his life pleasantly without pain.
Step 5. Neutralize puppies at the right age
Castration is an important thing to do. In addition to providing a variety of medical benefits (reduced risk of tumors and infections), reducing the number of unwanted dogs will provide major benefits to society. Microchipping is also necessary in case your dog disappears.
Step 6. Check the ears of the English bulldog once every week
Normally, the inside of his ears will be white or dark, the same color as his fur. Therefore, monitor the presence or absence of discoloration. Normal dog ears also do not have a discharge part. In addition, the ear must also be free of dust, dirt, or parasites such as lice. The following are signs of an abnormality:
- Scratching or grabbing the ear with the sole of the foot.
- Shaking head several times.
- Secretion of a wax-like substance or brown fluid from the ear.
Step 7. Clean the puppy's ears regularly
You can clean their ears with a special tool, hydrogen peroxide (to absorb excess fluid), or a solution consisting of half white vinegar and half rubbing alcohol. Wet a cotton ball with the liquid and rub it on the dog's ear. If in doubt, or if you suspect your puppy has an ear infection, consult a veterinarian for an otoscopy.
Never use cotton swabs or other similar products. The ear canal in dogs has a sharp bend at the point where it meets the head. You will not be able to see the entire inside of the ear canal, and therefore, never put anything in it
Step 8. Brush your puppy's teeth daily
By brushing his teeth daily (or, at least, two to three times per week), you will remove the bacteria and plaque that builds up on his teeth every day. In addition, you will also be able to examine your dog's mouth and observe whether or not teeth are loose, damaged, injured, growing abnormally, or other things. If you find anything, consult a veterinarian as soon as possible before the symptoms develop into a more serious problem.
- Do not use human toothpaste on dogs; instead, always use dog toothpaste. The fluoride in human toothpaste is toxic to dogs and can cause serious illness.
- Put a small amount of dog toothpaste on your fingertips and let your puppy lick it. The next day, dab again on your fingertips and apply to the outside of the dog's molars. Afterward, try putting it on the dog's toothbrush, letting the puppy lick it, then brushing the outer edges of his teeth and molars. Only the outer part (that sticks to the cheek) should be brushed; It will also only take you thirty seconds to do so.
- Even if you brush his teeth regularly, every once in a while, your dog will still need a dentist cleaning. Plaque and bacteria can continue to build up below the molar line and cause problems at the root of the tooth. Just like humans, a routine oral exam needs to be done by a veterinarian once a year.
Part 3 of 5: Taking Care of Puppies
Step 1. Clean the puppy regularly
Given the folds of the British bulldog's skin, especially on the face and around the lips, regular checkups should be done every day to look for signs of infection. Bacteria commonly found in the body will multiply rapidly in these folds. Therefore, folds of skin need to be gently cleaned and thoroughly dried at least twice a day or every other day in dogs that are prone to infection.
Step 2. Comb regularly
The English bulldog's short body hair will fall out; therefore, combing once a week with a soft comb is necessary. As you brush, observe for lice, parasites, cysts, and other abnormalities on the skin. If you find one, or if you notice any patches of skin that are scaly, reddened, and frequently scratched by your puppy, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Step 3. Check your puppy's paws regularly
A brushing session is a good time to check your pup's nails and footprints. Perhaps, it's time for you to clip his nails. If you've never trimmed your nails before, ask a technician at the vet's clinic to show you how to do it. Nail clipping must be done properly so that you do not trim the part of the nail that contains blood vessels and nerves.
If that part is trimmed, your puppy will be in pain and afraid to go through another nail clipping
Part 4 of 5: Training Puppies
Step 1. Give your puppy direct commands
Naturally, puppies will follow the leader of the pack. Therefore, you must present yourself as the leader. You have to teach the puppy how to behave properly in his new environment. Remember that puppies can't read minds; more than that, puppies are also different from human children. You have to practice it patiently and repeatedly using positive reinforcement. If you can't do this, contact a professional dog trainer.
Step 2. Train the puppy to follow your commands
Teach the puppy the commands to sit, be still, and come over to you. In addition, you also have to start training him to defecate in the space provided. All training provided will run successfully if you apply positive reinforcement. Instead of punishing your pup when he makes a mistake, you should make him feel good when he did the right thing. Give your puppy treats (snacks, words of encouragement, body caresses) when your orders are obeyed. After that, the same command will be followed by him.
Teach your puppy to be by your side when taken for a walk. In addition to giving him a way to learn direction, you'll also train him to socialize and engage in outdoor activities. However, don't take your puppy for too many walks. Since puppies also have a tendency to defecate easily, don't take them for walks to ground level areas
Step 3. Start bringing your puppy to socialize early
Socialization is very important to ensure your puppy can relate well to dogs, animals and other people. Fourteen to sixteen weeks of age is a great time to start socializing. After that age, puppies will be more aware of situations, people, and other animals they just meet.
- Get your puppy used to driving in the car and walking around your home. You should also get him used to people of all ages, sizes, races, and genders (practice this habit in a safe and friendly way). Also, introduce your puppy carefully to other cats and dogs.
- A good way to introduce puppies to people and other dogs is at puppy socialization activities or obedience classes, which are usually held at major pet stores, vet clinics, or local community activities centres.
Step 4. Give the puppy lots of attention and affection
A bond of love and trust must be established between you and your puppy. In addition to making sure your dog obeys commands, you should also make him feel your love and care for him. Spend time with your puppy every day. Don't just give him training, make sure you also hug him often and invite him to play.
Part 5 of 5: Caring for Special Needs English Bulldog Puppies
Step 1. Keep the ambient temperature in moderate conditions
Puppies have a body that is sensitive to temperature. Strokes can strike him easily in hot weather and cold temperatures can also make him sick.
- Make sure your pup gets some cool air in the summer. Temperatures above 32ºC can have a dangerous impact on him. If you take your puppy for an outdoor walk on a hot day, make sure you wet him and provide him with plenty of water.
- Don't take your puppy out of the house too often when it's very hot.
- Bulldog puppies can catch a cold easily. Provide him with a warm environment in the colder months to prevent him from catching a cold. In winter, you can also keep him warm by wearing sweaters, warm clothes, and dog shoes when you take him out for a walk. Bulldog puppies should not be left in temperatures below fifteen degrees Celsius for long periods of time.
Step 2. Observe for signs of allergy in the puppy's coat
Like other dog breeds, bulldogs are genetically susceptible to atopic dermatitis, a skin disease that causes skin irritation. Research shows that thirty percent of dogs suffer from this allergy and 85% have allergies to pollen, fleas and mold spores. Consult a veterinarian if your puppy's skin appears red and irritated.
Step 3. Monitor your puppy's breathing
Due to their short snout, bulldogs are prone to having difficulty breathing. Hot, humid weather, overactivity, and other illnesses that affect the nose, throat, or lungs will make it difficult for your bulldog to breathe. Place your puppy in an air-conditioned room on hot or humid days and don't take him outside in extreme weather.
If your bulldog begins to pant, stop the activity and give him a break
Tips
Use an odorless cloth to clean your dog. Wipe the belly and creases on the muzzle daily. Also wipe the folds in the mouth after eating
Warning
- Bulldogs are not very good at swimming and can sink in water that is deeper than their feet. Keep your bulldog out of puddles, ponds, or attach a life jacket to him and keep an eye on him when you're carrying him near bodies of water.
- Avoid excessive heat and cold. Stay away from toys that break easily or are made of latex as bulldogs can swallow them and choke them.
