HealthandCare

You finally have that wonderful little Bulldog that you have dreamed about for so long.....Now what?

First of all, you need to find a good Bulldog veterinarian. You may have one of the best vets in the country, but if he is not experienced in the care of Bulldogs, he will be of very little use to you. Don't be afraid to ask how many Bulldog clients he has treated. If he tells you Bulldogs are like other dogs, RUN don't walk, to the nearest exit.

The best way to find a good vet. is to ask your breeder, that is, if you live in the same area. If not, go to The Bulldog Club of America's web site (the address is on my links page) . Call the Division Secretary nearest you and ask to be put in touch with a reputable breeder in your area. You can bet your boots someone will help you find the vet you

are looking for. You may also click on the Bully email for a list of Bulldog veterinarians. This list is courtesy

of BULLDOGSWORLD.

Your Bulldog needs very little in the way of grooming....I call them a "wash and wear" breed. Be sure to keep him free of fleas and ticks, as this is the cause of many skin problems. There are many once a month flea treatments on the market now which are fantastic. A good, thorough brushing every day or so, a bath when needed, cleaning the ears, and keeping the toenails clipped are about all that is required. Be sure to keep the area under his nose fold clean and dry. I keep baby wipes on hand for this and wipe them clean daily. Also, if your Bully has a tight tail be sure to keep it clean and dry to eliminate infections. The baby wipes also work well for this.

Bulldogs are wonderful apartment dwellers and don't require huge yards in which to run. That is a true statement. However, NEVER let anyone tell you a Bully doesn't need regular exercise. He does. A brisk walk around the block or a game of tag or fetch in the backyard is greatly enjoyed by your Bulldog. You will be surprised at just how agile he really is.....he can run and play with the best of them.....just not as long. Always schedule his exercise in the early morning or late afternoon and watch very closely to be sure he doesn't get overheated. A kiddie wading pool for him to cool off in will be appreciated as Bulldogs usually love water. Remember though, most (as in 95%) Bulldogs can't swim so if you have a pool or jacuzzi be sure it is securely fenced.

Where will he sleep? What will we do with him when we have to leave the house? How can we housetrain him?

All these problems can be solved with the use of a crate. NO, a crate is NOT cruel....just the opposite. Crate training is one of the best things you will ever do for your dog.

Modern dog retains the den instinct, which is why the use of a crate is so effective in housebreaking. Most dogs will not soil where it sleeps if it can avoid doing so. This is a throwback to the days when dogs were both predators and prey, and needed safe places to sleep and rear their young. If they eliminated in the den, other predators would seek them out through the scent and prey upon the young and infirm.

The trick in house training is to make the sleeping area small enough so the puppy cannot use one end as a bathroom, and the other end as a bedroom. I like to start out with a small airline crate, changing to larger ones as the puppy grows. The crate should be large enough for the puppy to stand upright, lie down, and turn around in a tight circle. If you only have a full size crate, block off part of it and expand it as the puppy grows.

Never, never use the crate to punish. The idea is for the puppy to look on his crate as his own special place where he is safe and happy. He should take all his naps in his crate and sleep there at night. He should be put in his crate when the humans are away or too busy to supervise him.

Remember that puppies must relieve themselves before and after eating or drinking, after play, and immediately upon waking. Untill you become adjusted to your puppy's individual needs, take him outside using the above guidelines. Never put him out by himself. He needs you with him, to encourage him and to praise him when he performs properly.

Each time you put your puppy in his crate, praise him and give him a small treat. Gradually work toward making the treat an occasional reward. Do not let him out if he is making noise, quiet him with a sharp NO!. When he is quiet, let him out with lots of praise. Be firm about this....bad habits are hard to break.

It will probably take two or three nights for your pup to become accustomed to this special place of his. If you use the crate properly, your house will be safe from puppy destruction, and more important, your puppy will be safe from dangers like chicken bones or other garbage, toxins like chocolate and cleaners, wires that can electrocute if chewed and many, many others. You will wonder how you ever survived without the crate and your pup will have a safe and comfortable place to stay when left alone.