The American Bulldog is a loyal, protective, energetic and tough breed of dog. This breed of dog is known for its strong will and, as such, should only be kept by people who are ready to put in the hard work of caring for them and are able to become dominant figures for their pets. Bulldogs are also known to be good family dogs and, through good socialization with dogs, cats and other people, can be very friendly to anyone they meet. Once the American bulldog is willing to be respectful and pleasant, you will have a very loyal dog by your side. Despite their personality traits, the American bulldog is extremely protective and will make a good protector for your home and family.
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Method 1 of 4: Keeping American Bulldogs Healthy
Step 1. Make sure your dog has all the necessary immunizations
Vaccinations play an important role in the health of your American bulldog. Standard immunizations provided include a rabies vaccination given when the dog is twelve weeks old or older, and once every one to three years in accordance with local laws and veterinary recommendations. Distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, and parainfluenza vaccines are also usually given together.
- Young dogs should receive four injections every three weeks, starting at six weeks of age and continuing, as adults, once annually, as recommended by the veterinarian.
- The vet will also provide recommendations for certain treatments such as heartworm prevention injections, flea prevention, and monthly deworming according to the season and area where you live. Regular physical exams that include faecal checks, heartworms, and regular blood tests will also help in detecting various health problems that must be addressed in order to maintain the long-term health of your bulldog.
Step 2. Neutralize your bulldog
Castration will prevent unwanted pregnancies and can overcome various behavioral and health problems. Castration can prevent testicular cancer, prostate disease, urine marking, and some aggressive behavior in male dogs. In neutered female dogs, the risk of mammary gland tumors and eliminates the possibility of infection or uterine cancer.
Ideally, a young American bulldog should be neutered at about six months of age. Discuss this with your vet at regular visits or at your first visit after you adopt an adult dog
Step 3. Understand that American bulldogs are susceptible to certain diseases
Some of the most common diseases are, but are not limited to, brachycephalic syndrome, laryngeal paralysis, hip dysplasia, deafness, hypothyroidism, entropion, and prolapse of the third eyelid. Most of these diseases can be treated. Some of them require only simple medications, while others will require surgery.
- Consult a veterinarian if your bulldog has an illness. If you notice any signs of any of the above, for example if you suspect your dog can't hear you or your dog seems to be in pain when walking (a sign of pelvic dysplasia), take him to the doctor for a check-up.
- One way to avoid most of these problems is to adopt a well-bred American bulldog puppy. A good and experienced dog breeder will breed their dogs with great care to reduce the risk of developing health problems. On the other hand, dogs that are bred with their milk sibling, usually have a greater risk of developing hereditary diseases.
Method 2 of 4: Feeding and Caring for American Bulldogs
Step 1. Feed the young bulldog a high-quality food made especially for large breeds
This food selection is aimed at ensuring good bone and joint growth. Maintain this diet until the puppy reaches eighteen months of age. After that, the bulldog is considered an adult and the food can be slowly changed to an adult dog diet.
Step 2. Look for a high-quality dog food that lists meat as the first ingredient listed on the label
This is intended to provide the protein needed by the bulldog and limit the amount of carbohydrates consumed by it. The protein content should not be less than thirty percent while the fat should not be less than twenty percent. Fiber content should be below four percent.
Step 3. Reduce the risk of developing gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), or bloating, through a good diet
The American bulldog is a large breed and, as such, is prone to GDV. This condition can be fatal and requires immediate treatment from a veterinarian. To help prevent this condition from occurring, there are several things you can do about feeding. Feed it two or three times a day in smaller, fat-free portions. Don't put the food in a raised bowl, and don't mix dry food with water.
Also limit your dog's activity for at least an hour after feeding and don't let your dog drink too much water at once
Step 4. Provide unrestricted water access
It is very important to give your dog access to a source of clean and fresh water. Bulldogs should be able to drink as much as they want. Keep a small towel near a water source to wipe away any drool or excess dripping water-a condition that often occurs in this breed.
Step 5. Bathe your bulldog as needed
American bulldog coats tend to be short, smooth, and rarely require a bath. In general, the fur is easy to care for. You don't need to bathe him unless your dog has been rolling in the mud or looks really dirty.
Step 6. Brush your dog regularly
American bulldogs shed their hair in large numbers. Purchase a bristle roller for your furniture and clothes if the fur starts to stick in a lot of places.
Step 7. Clean the creases on your dog's face regularly
Given their short snout-which makes the dog's face appear flattened-American bulldogs tend to have an excess of skin folds between their eyes and nose. Dirt and liquid will be easy to stick to the folds, causing new and irritation. Clean the skin folds regularly with a damp paper towel or cloth and a mild soap.
- Avoid getting soap into the dog's eyes. If this occurs, rinse the eyes with clean water.
- Usually, in most vet's offices, there are wipes that are safe for use in the creases in the face and around the dog's eyes.
- After cleaning the creases, use a paper towel or clean rag to dry them to prevent excess fluid from forming which can cause a skin irritation known as fold dermatitis.
Method 3 of 4: Socializing and Training the American Bulldog
Step 1. Socialize your bulldog with people and other animals while he is still young
This is to show your pup that all people and other animals should be dealt with calmly and respectfully. Take your dog out in public, give strangers a chance to touch and play with him. Since the bulldog is a very dominant breed, it's important to get him socialized as early as possible to avoid negative behavior later in life. Socialization will help your dog develop a better attitude.
- This point is very important in raising American bulldogs. Without socialization, your dog will be suspicious of all other people and animals and make him do negative actions such as biting.
- You can socialize your dog by taking him out in public and giving him positive experiences with new people and animals. If you take him to the dog park, introduce your dog slowly to other dogs and people. At first, keep your dog on a leash. If your dog seems friendly, comfortable, and welcomes the interaction, reward him for his good behavior. After that, gradually, let your dog interact more without having to be chained in a wider area.
Step 2. Adopt a puppy who has already started to be socialized
If you are adopting a puppy from a breeder, there are a few specific things to look at to see if socialization has started or not. Observe the puppies' interactions with each other and with their mother. If a puppy seems shy, aloof, or very alert, it's likely that he's not very socialized and hasn't been exposed to many different situations. A well-socialized puppy will seem accustomed to the sounds and activities going on around him, so your presence won't startle him too much. However, that doesn't mean a puppy who hasn't been socialized well isn't a good candidate for a pet-you just need to train him and socialize him more in the future.
In choosing a dog, avoid unethical breeding sites such as puppy mills. Bad breeders not only provide unsuitable conditions for their dogs, they also usually mate the puppies with their milk sibling. Not only that, bad breeders also don't provide their dogs with early training and socialization – two very important things to do in raising dogs properly
Step 3. Socialize your dog according to his abilities
Each dog will develop social skills at their own pace. Therefore, reduce the intensity of socialization as needed. As your dog becomes more socialized and comfortable with new things, you will find him developing better behavior overall.
- Don't forget to introduce cats, small children, and anything else you want your dog to recognize and feel comfortable with. Make introductions slowly.
- When introducing your dog to a cat, don't let the two see each other in the first place. Separate the two in different rooms, let them smell each other through the distance between them. Once your dog and cat get used to each other's smells, let them see each other from a distance. Reduce the distance between the two slowly, on a regular basis, from day to day.
Step 4. Hold on to your bulldog's leash when you introduce him to new people such as neighbors
Also, be aware that in some locations, there are specific laws regarding the ownership of this particular breed of dog. There have been several cases where homeowners' insurance was denied and bulldog breeds were banned from entering some areas. Research the situation in your area before starting to raise American bulldogs.
Step 5. Provide compliance training as early as possible
American bulldogs are highly intelligent, strong willed, and-often-strong-tempered. These can make it difficult to train, especially for novice dog owners. The bulldog must see that you are the dominant party in your relationship with him, and his training must be done with dedication and patience.
Step 6. Perform training with hand and voice commands
It will be very beneficial for you and your puppy to practice with voice commands and hand signals. The positive thing about this training is that if you are in a situation where your dog can't hear you, he will still be able to see your hand signals and your commands will still be understood and obeyed.
Step 7. Apply positive reinforcement to your dog
Positive reinforcement will have a long-lasting effect on bulldogs because this breed loves to make its master happy. Bulldogs love the attention of the people they bond with. Therefore, by ignoring your dog when he exhibits bad behavior, you will have a stronger impact than disciplinary action.
If properly trained and socialized, American bulldogs can acquire a way to assess a situation and determine whether or not a condition is good and whether or not they should act on their natural guard instincts
Step 8. Consult a professional trainer or dog behaviorist if you have a problem with your bulldog
In all training, if you feel inadequate or if your dog doesn't seem to be learning the training given at a proper rhythm, consult a professional trainer. You will be able to get answers to any questions or concerns you have regarding the training process or technique you are applying.
Obedience school can be a great option for young puppies or for dealing with unwanted behavior
Method 4 of 4: Bringing American Bulldogs to Activity
Step 1. Bring your bulldog to physical activity every day on a regular basis
Bulldogs tend to be very energetic and athletic and will usually display a better temperament if they get enough activity. Without physical activity, your dog will become bored and potentially do unwanted things.
Daily physical activity should be between thirty and forty minutes long and consist of a variety of activities such as running, walking, swimming, pulling weights, and agility
Step 2. Remember that bulldogs have a higher susceptibility to respiratory problems than other breeds
By the structure of the face, the bulldog has a narrow respiratory tract. This can make it more difficult to breathe and keep the body cool. Don't forget this while you're taking your dog out on a hot day or for a longer period of time. Make sure you give him enough rest time to cool off and drink some water.
If you think your bulldog seems overheated or can't breathe, recognize that this is an emergency situation. Take your dog to the vet as soon as possible for medical help
Step 3. Don't get an American bulldog if you want a lazy dog
A bulldog won't be happy to be on the couch all day without being physically active. In such a situation, American bulldogs will easily become overweight and, thereafter, suffer from various ailments such as diabetes and injuries to the knees and hips.
Step 4. Understand that American bulldogs love to play rough
Given that this breed has a natural tendency to play rough, don't be surprised if your bulldog plays and has fun with such enthusiasm that it occasionally throws things and even people over. Enjoy physical activity with your dog while maintaining a high level of alertness.
