Posts Tagged ‘English’

House training English Bulldogs / Potty and crate training Bulldog puppies

December 16th, 2009

CRATE TRAINING:

By putting your Bulldog puppy in a crate you are giving him or her a sense of security and a place they can call their own. Dogs actually like having a “den” to cuddle up in. By putting your Bulldog puppy in a crate while you are gone it will also give you peace of mind knowing that they are in a safe place, away from harm, and not doing any damage to your belongings or themselves.

Crate training will also help with potty training. Make sure you put Bulldog puppy on a regular schedule for meal times & potty breaks and use the crate when you are gone or need your pet to rest. Bulldogs will typically not “go” in their home. They like to keep it clean and will hold it until you can take them outside to eliminate. Remember to always praise your Bulldog puppy when he or she eliminates in the area you want him/her to outside.

Bulldog Puppies have very small bladders so they cannot physically hold it for very very long. I would suggest that you take your puppy out every 2 – 4 hours. As your puppy gets older, naturally they will gain the bladder control and be able to hold it longer. Eventually this time should increase to 8 hours or more.

Another thing to consider when purchasing a crate is to make sure that you buy a crate big enough to accommodate the full growth of your pet. When your pet is a puppy and you are crate training, make sure that the crate has a divider panel. You can adjust the placement of the divider panel so that the puppy does not have full use of the crate thus creating the “den” feeling that will make your dog feel comfortable and cozy. In this situation the dog will not want to go in its den and will keep the area clean. If you give the puppy the full area of the crate it may be too large and the dog will make one area of the crate his potty area and the other area as his sleeping area. Adjust the divider panel so that your Bulldog puppy has enough area to get up and stretch but not enough room to eliminate. I like the life stages crate you can view it here: http://www.champbulldogs.com/bulldogbooksupplies.htm

Crate training your Bulldog puppy or dog is just a smart thing to do for you and your new bullie baby. It will give you the sense of security and peace knowing that your pet is not getting in harms way while you are away

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HOUSE TRAINING:

So how do we house train our new Bulldog. What if he or she just doesn’t seem to get it? Believe it or not, it’s simple.

I have two key words for you:

Confine and Observe.

While there is a great deal to know about food and water scheduling, timing can vary from dog to dog. (Feeding only two times daily “first thing in the morning” & again around “4 – 6pm in the evening” is a good start. Try to limit water after 7pm.) Now w e’ll just concentrate here on the main concept which is to confine your Bulldog dog to an appropriately sized crate when you cannot observe him.

A properly sized crate is large enough for your Bulldogdog to stand up and turn around, but hardly bigger than that. If you have a puppy in a large crate, he’ll think he’s got a bedroom with a bathroom built in. He’ll wee in one corner and sleep in the other.

The correctly sized crate consists of bedroom only with no “bathroom.” So if your crate is too large, go to the pet store and purchase a crate divider so you can temporarily reduce the accessible area.

Your Bulldog should be in his/her crate unless you can observe him 100%. This means that when your Bully is loose, he/she has your undivided attention. Consider attaching a 6 foot light cord to the collar so you can more easily locate the dog, and prevent her from leaving the room without you. Simply step on the cord to stop him/her.

At the first sign your Bulldog puppy needs to go, whisk him/her outside. Those signs include circling, sniffing, anxiousness, whining among other symptoms.

When you’re not observing your bully puppy with full attention, you confine her/him to the crate. That being said, you do need to ensure your dog has liberty periodically so he’s not all day in the crate. By being diligent now, you’ll be able to give your Bulldog years of liberty with no worries. So it’s well worth the investment in time at this stage.

Be sure you spend time playing with your Bulldog puppy, and also let him or her wander outside the crate. Avoid tossing your bully in the crate as punishment. Alleviate your guilt feelings by placing toys in with him/her.

This method makes it impossible for your bulldog to have an accident. You’re either right there to take him/her out, or he’s in the crate where your bulldog normally won’t want to go. When you’ve had a month with no accidents, you can begin to let you bulldog earn a little more liberty, five or ten minutes at a time.

That means he/she can be out of your sight for a few moments at a time. But only a few. You want to build slowly on a record of success until your dog literally forgets that the house ever contained a bathroom.

For each week with no accident, you can give your bully a few more moments of liberty at a time. However, if there is an accident, go back a step, and reduce that liberty. One accident in the house erases progress made for the several previous days.

Confine and Observe your way to house breaking success. In the course of just two or three months, you’ll have a dog you can trust in the home. It’s going to be worth the effort!getting hungry?

TO or NOT to use puppy training pads. If you use pads it will be harder for your puppy to understand it must go potty outside.

Potty training a dog is one of the most frustrating things you will have to do. Take heart in the fact that once your dog gets the potty training, you won’t have to teach it again. In many ways, potty training can be rewarding too. Not only can you help your?bullie to stop making messes on your favorite carpeting, but you can develop a strong relationship of trust and bonding with them to.

Here are 5 steps to make potty training successful in your home.

1.Use a crate. Crate training is very effective. A crate is used to allow your pet to have a place to sleep and teaches them to control their bladder. They won’t soil their bedding. Then, when it is time to get up and go out, you can easily do just that. The?bulldog learns from the start that you control potty time.

2. After meals, give your?bulldog puppy?15 minutes and then take them out. Food is a trigger not only to eat but also to go. When it comes to potty training success, allow your pet to get outside when the urge is approaching. What’s more is that you shouldn’t leave food out. Put it down for them at the designated time and allow them to eat for 15 minutes to 30 minutes and remove the bowl. Soon he will learn and that again allows you to control potty time.

3. At Champbulldogs.com we always pick a potty spot. Select the area of your yard that you want your pet to go in. Take them to that spot every time to go. This will help your puppy to learn that when he needs to go, he needs to come here. What’s more is that the smell of urine is yet another trigger to your pet to go.

4. Remember that rewards need to be emotional, and therefore it is more successful to give them a reward of a patting and rub down then it is for you to hand them a treat. Also, treats are food which triggers potty time again!

5.Reward success, and limit punishing accidents. Although you will be angry and you will want to punish your Bulldog remember Bulldogs respond much better to love.

Caring for your bulldog is hard work, but very rewarding! When it comes to potty training, success will come much faster when you install these five tips into your program! Best of luck potty training! Champbulldogs.com


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House Training Your English Bulldog by Nightingale Bullies

December 6th, 2009

House training is one of the first tasks that every new dog owner will undertake in the introduction of their puppy to its new home. There are three categories of house training types :

a) Basic house training ; the establishment of an allowable toilet area for your pet.

b) Submissive wetting ; urination occurring when greeting, disciplining or high excitement.

c) Marking ; upon reaching puberty – some dogs (male or female) will mark their territory.

House Training :

House training should only take approximately two weeks to establish as a routine provided;

a) you must be consistent and committed

b) you are prepared to train your pet from the moment you take possession. Have a leash, collar, a designated area and are prepared to maintain a schedule.

Retraining a dog that has already established bad habits can take six weeks or more.

As soon as possible get your new puppy to the vet for a complete check-up. This will assure you that you have obtained a healthy pup and alert you to any medical complications that can make house training more difficult. Situations such as intestinal upset, intestinal parasites and urinary tract infections can make house training difficult to impossible.

The designated toilet area can be as general as outside of the house or as specific as a particular corner of the backyard. You must have a specific plan as to what the designated area is going to be. You can not teach the dog what is acceptable if you are uncertain.

Your attitude is one of the most important ingredients in house training your dog. Your puppy does not know what is wrong. If there is a mistake tell him “no” but do not discipline too severely. You only want him to know that you are displeased, you do not want the pup to feel that you are the source of pain. When the pup has done well, pat him, praise him, let the dog know that you are very pleased. The pup will want to do things that please you. House training can be a foundation for all future training. Affection and praise as a reward for proper response – “no” signaling displeasure and guidance to show the dog what you do want.

Scheduling:

1. Create a schedule that is practical for you to maintain. If you can not stick to your schedule – you can’t expect the dog to adhere to it.

2. Do not allow your dog to free feed until house training is well established. Be very careful of your dogs diet – avoid foods and/or snacks that can be upsetting to his digestive tract.

3. Schedule your dog’s bed time and waking-up time. Adhere to these times as closely as possible.

4. Young pups will require frequent nap times, be sure that your schedule can accommodate the pup’s naps. Remember that the pup will need to be taken outside after each nap.

5. Emotional intensity – after intense emotional stimulation (badly scared, frightened, or a particularly rowdy play session) the pup may need to relieve himself.

6. Within two to three days, most dogs will be able to “control themselves” for eight hours during the night. You must keep in mind that your daytime schedule will need to be somewhat flexible. By paying attention to your dog, you will learn his nap requirements. Your dog will learn “the routine” and you will both have a schedule that you can live with.

Supervise in the House :

1. By knowing where your dog is at all times, and what he is doing, you can avoid mistakes. When a pup stops playing and starts to look around for a “good spot”, he needs to go out. By observing your dog you will quickly learn to tell the difference between the pup’s exploring his new universe and his searching for a “good location”.

2. If the pup starts to make a mistake, firmly but quietly say “No” and take the dog straight to his toilet area. Do not yell at the dog. Do not chase the dog. At this point it is up to you to be observant of your dog. Any mistakes that are made are due to your not paying attention.

3. If you can not supervise the dog for a period of time, put the dog in a confinement area (prepared with papers) or confine him to the room where you are.

4. When you are relaxing (watching TV, reading or on computer), have the dog with you. Give the pup some of his toys to play with. Have the dog on his leash or confine him to the room where you are, so that he doesn’t wander of and have an accident. Teach him that it can be enjoyable just being with you.

When you can’t be with your dog:

1. Provide a small area confinement area (bathroom with all “chewable” items removed, fenced off area of the garage, or a crate).

2. Do not leave food and water with the dog, or fill him with cookies or snacks before you leave. You should schedule the pup’s breakfast to be at least 2 hours before your planned departure time. That way the pup can eat, digest his food and relieve himself prior to your departure.

3. Ideally, if you are going to be gone for more than eight hours, someone should give the dog a drink and an opportunity to relieve himself.

Taking the dog out (to the latrine) :

1. Take your dog on leash to the designated toilet area. Stand quietly, so that the dog can find the right spot. Do not distract the dog. Do not praise the dog during his search. If after about 5 minutes your dog hasn’t gone to the bathroom, return him to the house (keeping a close eye on him) for about 1/2 hour, then try again.

2. As the dog starts to relieve himself; calmly praise him. Use a chosen word or phrase (good potty or wonderful potty). This phrase will only be used for praise in going potty.

3. When the dog has finished relieving himself praise him more enthusiastically. Let him know that you are very proud of him.

4. Remember your dog’s routine. Some dogs will “potty” two or three times per outing in the morning, but only twice per outing in the evening. Urination is often followed by defecation, while other dogs will do the reverse.

5. Even. if the weather is foul, do not let your dog know that you don’t want to be going outside with him. By teaching your dog that even in bad weather going outside is “the thing to do”, to please you, then he will be more willing to convey his needs to you.

6. While you are learning your dog’s “time table”, take him out immediately after he wakes up, after he has eaten and after all play sessions.

Catching the dog “in the act” :

1. Without yelling, firmly say “No”. If you still don’t have the dog’s attention, clap your hands.

2. Get the dog outside, to the designated latrine area. If the dog relieves himself outside praise him. Proceed with the potty routine.

3. Clean the mess with a deodorizing or odor killing cleanser. If the dog smells his own scent as having been used as a bathroom area, the dog will continue to use the area.

If the cleanser is not able to eliminate enough of the scent so that the dog can not detect it, you can help mask the scent over with vanilla extract. Just one or two drops will make it impossible for the dog to smell any lingering odor.

If you find a mess after the fact :

1. Do not punish the dog.

2. Accept the fact that you were not paying attention to the dog.

3. Do not show the dog that you are upset. Calmly put the dog on his leash and bring him to the location of the accident. With the dog at your side, firmly scold the potty. Do not scold the dog.

4. Blot up some urine, or pick up some stool with a piece of paper. Take the evidence and the dog to the latrine area. Place the paper on the ground and with the dog watching praise the potty for being in the “right” place. Temporarily leave the paper there. (Remove it when the dog isn’t watching)

5. Clean up the remaining mess in the house as outlined above.

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