The American Bulldog is a wonderful companion and a great pet for anyone who has some time to devote to these lovely animals. This breed might look tough and stout, but it’s known to be friendly, loyal, and kind-natured. These pups can be such mollies sometimes. You will be surprised how such a big dog turns into a lap cuddle ball in a second.
Bulldogs have moderate maintenance needs. They can be excellent pets for both apartment and open space, depending on how you train them. Here are some guidelines on living with a dog in an apartment. They can stay vital for a long time, but care must be taken to avoid any health problems that can cause undue stress on these pups.
Early Socialization
This is a rule that should apply to every pet – socialization should start as early as possible. Regardless of breed characteristics, any dog can be taught to live in peace with humans and other animals. American Bulldogs are generally good-natured, so if you teach them how to behave from an early age, you will get a pet that will be a true star among your friends.
It is vital that early socialization is provided for these dogs because they have a tendency to develop aggressive behavior. Socialization helps your pup develop a good temperament and a caring nature. This can be done through mutual training with other dogs. So, if you can, enroll your American Bulldog in a pup school. They learn better by being around other dogs. Constant exercise with a trained leader will help too.
During early socialization, your dog will be fine with people in general. You can use this time to meet your pet with the people around you. Make sure to do it gradually, introducing them to one person at a time. If some of them have pets, make sure your Bulldog meets them on neutral territories, like a dog park or playground.
Teach Them Stuff
Training an American Bulldog is similar to training any other dog. It takes patience, consistency, and a firm hand. From a pup age, these pups should be taught basic commands such as sit, stand and stay and should always be praised when they do what you ask. As they get older, they can learn many tricks.
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Impose yourself as a pack leader. Although Bulldogs have a lot of love to give to all their favorite humans, there should always be that one person they will obey the most. These dogs react very well to positive reinforcement, so avoid punishing them.
Provide Bulldogs with Enough Exercise
Remember to give the dog lots of love and ensure that your pet has plenty of exercises. Bulldogs are a moderately active breed. It means that they need to be provided with a certain amount of physical activity every day. Still, these pups are quite comfortable and with a sedentary lifestyle to some extent.
Sometimes, regular walks will be enough exercise, providing you gave your pup a leash training on time. Bulldogs are not aggressive, so they won’t pull you while walking. But there will be days when your pet just has too much energy.
Dogs that have a yard will release that excess energy through play and running. But if you live in an apartment, make sure your pet spends at least an hour a day playing. Thus, their physique will remain healthy and strong, and their minds sharp and active.
These pups are not known as stubborn, but they want to have their own space. American Bulldogs can get scared of noise or thunder, so they can get anxious. In that time, they need some time alone to get calm. So provide them with a corner in your apartment or house or with a backyard full of chew toys where they can retreat anytime.
Regular Vet Check-Ups
American Bulldogs can often be quite sturdy dogs, even when they spend most of their lives inside. Still, you should know that this breed has genetic predispositions to certain health issues. It doesn’t mean that these conditions will develop; they just require some extra attention.
You need to be aware of these conditions and take proper care of them. Some common health problems include hip dysplasia, epilepsy, breathing issues, and allergies. The latter two usually happen because of Bulldogs’ short snouts.
These dogs should have a certified vet check at least once a year. Medical experts should do a physical examination of your pup, with particular attention to their ears, eyes, and skin folds. These are places where hidden infections can occur. Also, Bulldogs should be taken for frequent health checks for fleas and worms and preventive treatments for skin problems.
Show Them Love
While the American Bulldog breed is known as active, they are also very affectionate and faithful companions. They make great pets and will often return your loyalty in kind. However, these dogs can sometimes be unintentionally too harsh in showing love due to their strength and size. So be careful when they’re around kids or smaller animals.
American Bulldogs will often display some personality quirks that can be quite amusing. Some dogs will keep licking their owners; others will run around their legs and ask for pets. These large pups, particularly those with shy tendencies, will become quite snappy if provoked.
American Bulldogs will be your faithful friends who will make your life better if you give them enough attention and time. They adapt easily to any lifestyle and are not too demanding. In fact, these pups are a wealth of tenderness in sturdy packaging.