The American bulldog is an energetic and confident breed.These dogs are known for their strong will and should be owned by a person who is willing to work hard with them to establish a dominant role in the relationship.The breed is known as an excellent family dog and will be very friendly to anyone they meet.An American bulldog will stand next to you if it respects you and wants to please you.The American bulldog is very protective and will be an excellent security system for your home and family.
Step 1: Make sure that your dog is up to date with its immunizations.
Vaccinations are an important part of any dog's health.The standard immunizations for dogs include Rabies, which is administered at 12 weeks of age or older and then every 1 to 3 years depending on your local laws and your vet's recommendations.Distemper, Parvoviruses, Hepatitis, and Parainfluenza are usually administered together.Puppies should receive a set of four injections every three weeks starting at six weeks of age and then annually as adults, based on your vet's recommendations.Recommendations for items such as monthly heartworm preventive, flea & tick preventative, and deworming protocols will be made by your doctor.Any health issues that need to be addressed in order to maintain your American bulldog's long-term health can be detected with routine physical exams.
Step 2: Get your dog neutered.
Spaying and neutering can help to eliminate many health and behavioral issues.Neutering can prevent a number of diseases in males.Spayed females are less likely to have mammary tumors or infections of the uterus.A puppy should have this done at around six months of age.Discuss this procedure with your doctor at the first visit after you adopt an adult dog.It's important that you keep your dog relaxed so that it doesn't lick its wound while it heals.
Step 3: Dogs are prone to certain health conditions.
Some of the more common ones include deafness, brachycephalic syndrome, laryngeal paralysis, hip dysplasia, and hypothyroidism.Most of the health concerns are not life threatening.Some may only need a simple medication while others may need to have a surgical procedure.If you have any health concerns, you should consult with your doctor.If you see any of the signs of these conditions, it is best to get your dog checked out by a vet.One way to avoid these problems is to get a well-bred American bulldog puppy.Good, experienced breeders take the time to breed dogs so that they don't have these health conditions.Dogs that have been inbred have a higher chance of having health problems.
Step 4: A high-quality puppy food is made for large breed puppies.
Maintaining healthy bones and joints while it is growing is something this helps to do.The puppy should be on this diet for at least 18 months.Gradually it will be switched to adult food.A large-breed dog food will give your puppy all the vitamins and minerals it needs to grow strong and healthy.
Step 5: Meat is the first ingredient listed on the bag's label.
This will help the American Bulldog by giving it the food it needs and by limiting the number of calories it consumes.It is recommended that crude fat be no less than 20 percent.The fiber content needs to be less than 4%.A general rule of thumb is to look for dog food that contains ingredients you can pronounce so you're not buying foods with a lot of bad ingredients.
Step 6: The risk of bloat is reduced through diet.
American bulldogs are susceptible to GDV.This is a life-threatening condition and needs immediate veterinary treatment.There are several things that can be done to prevent this from happening.Feed two or three smaller, non-fatty meals a day, not in elevated bowls, and don't mix dry food and water.Limit your dog's activity for at least an hour after feeding and discourage them from drinking large amounts of water at one time.
Step 7: Provide unrestricted access to water.
It is important to allow your dog access to a clean source of water.The breed will need to drink.It is a common occurrence for this breed to have a hand towel nearby to wipe up excessive drooling.
Step 8: When necessary, wash your American bulldog.
American bulldogs have short, smooth hair that doesn't require bathing.Their coat is easy to maintain.If your dog rolls in something smelly or dirty, give it a bath.
Step 9: It's a good idea to brush your dog on a regular basis.
The American bulldogs do shed a lot more than you think.If it becomes an issue for you, invest in lint rollers.
Step 10: Clean the folds around your dog's face.
Some dogs have excess skin folds between their eyes and nose because they have short muzzles.It is easy for dirt to get stuck in these facial folds.To clean between the skin folds, use a damp paper towel and mild soap.Try to keep soap out of your dog's eyes.If this happens, wash its eyes thoroughly.Most veterinary offices have wipes that are safe to use on the face and near the eyes.To dry the area after cleaning between the dog's facial folds, use a new, clean paper towel or washcloth.This will help to keep the excess water out of the skin.
Step 11: When your American Bulldog is young, socialize it with people and other animals.
The goal is to show your dog that people and pets should be respectful.Taking it to public areas will allow strangers to pet and play with it.This is a very dominant breed and so you should take the time to socialize it early to avoid that behavior as much as possible.An even temper will be developed by socializing the dog.This is an important part of raising a dog.New people and animals can lead to unwanted behaviors, such as biting, if you don't socialize your dog.Taking your dog to public areas will allow it to have positive experiences with new people and pets.While still on the leash, introduce your dog to the other dogs and people at the dog park.If your dog seems to be friendly, comfortable, and welcomes interaction, praise it for its good behavior and gradually allow more interaction off-leash and in larger areas.
Step 12: Pick a puppy that is getting along with other people.
There are certain things to look for when visiting a breeder to pick out a pup.The puppy interacts with its littermates as well as its parents.A shy, withdrawn, or overly cautious pup is probably not well socialized and has not been exposed to a lot of different situations.Well- socialized pups are used to many different sounds and actions around them and your presence shouldn't be a big surprise.A less-socialized pup may be just as good a pet as one who isn't.Puppy mills are bad breeding situations and you want to avoid them when you get a dog.unethical breeders have inhumane conditions for their dogs and usually inbreed them, but they don't do the early training and socializing that is important to raising a well-adjusted dog.
Step 13: Your dog should be socialized at its own pace.
The social skills of each dog will be developed at their own pace.As your dog becomes more comfortable with new things, it will develop a better temperament.Don't forget to introduce cats, children, and anything else that you want your dog to be familiar with as well.Take your introductions slowly.Don't let the animals see each other right away when introducing your dog to a cat.They can smell each other under the closed door if they are kept in separate rooms.Allow them to see each other from a distance after they get used to it.They should be allowed to get closer to each other on a regular basis.
Step 14: When introducing a dog to new people, keep it on a leash.
There are legal liabilities related to owning this breed.The breed is banned from ownership in some areas because of cases of homeowner insurance policies being denied.Before committing to this breed, you should research the situation in your area.
Step 15: Start training early.
The American Bulldog is a strong- willed and stubborn breed.It can be difficult to train a first-time dog owner.It will take a lot of dedication and patience to train them that you are the dominant one in the relationship.
Step 16: You can train with hand and voice commands.
It will be beneficial for you to use voice commands and hand signals when training your new pup.If your dog can't hear you, they can still see what you are asking them to do and respond accordingly.
Step 17: Positive reinforcement can be used with your dog.
When your dog does something right, give it treats or praise.Positive reinforcement is important for this breed as they enjoy pleasing their owners.If you ignore your dog when they exhibit bad behavior, it will work better than other methods.When trained and socialized well, American bulldogs have the tools they need to judge a situation and decide when to act on their instincts.
Step 18: If you're having trouble with your dog, you should get a professional trainer.
If you feel overwhelmed or your dog doesn't seem to be learning at a reasonable pace, consult a professional.They will be able to answer any questions you may have about the process or techniques that you are using.From the beginning, obedient schools can be a good option.
Step 19: Give your dog daily exercise.
When they receive proper amounts of exercise, this breed will exhibit a much more even temperament, as they tend to be on the energetic and athletic side.If you don't exercise, you may have a bored and potentially destructive dog on your hands.30-40 minutes of varied activity can include, but is not limited to, running, hiking, swimming, weight pulling, and agility.
Step 20: Your dog has more difficulty breathing than many other dogs.
The facial structure of this breed means that they have narrow nose passages.It is more difficult for them to breathe and remain cool because of this.When exercising your dog on a hot day, keep this in mind.Allow for several water and cool-down breaks.If you think your dog is becoming overheated or can't catch its breath, this could be an emergency situation that will need medical assistance from your vet.
Step 21: If you want a lazy dog, reconsider choosing an American bulldog.
A dog won't be happy lounging on the couch all day.It is easy for an American Bulldog to become overweight, which can lead to a variety of health issues, such as diabetes and injuries to their knees and hips.
Step 22: They like to play rough.
If your bulldog plays and romps with gusto and occasionally sends things flying, you will not be surprised.Have fun with your dog, but be careful.