Raise an American Bulldog

The American bulldog is friendly and very eager to please by nature. Though it is known for its aggression with other dogs due to a fighting background, the bulldog is generally very gentle with humans. But please be prepared to spend a lot of time socializing your dog to be with people and other animals. Any signs of aggression toward people should be dealt with immediately by a professional trainer.

Steps

 * 1) Vaccinate your dog when you first get him or her and see that he or she gets yearly booster vaccinations to maintain his immunity to disease. Consult your veterinarian about flea control products and worming your dog.
 * 2) Feed your dog a high-grade dog food. The first ingredient should be meat if you want a quality product. Crude protein should be no less than 30 percent and crude fat no less than 20 percent. The fiber content needs to be 4 percent or less.
 * 3) Socialize your bulldog when he or she is young, to be able to be with people and other animals. Establish your authority over your dog and be sure to take him or her to public areas, giving strangers the opportunity to pet and play with him or her. It is very important for you to establish dominance early on. This is a VERY dominant breed, and if you fail to "show him who's boss" you will be spending a lot of time later on practically begging him to sit and stay. Socialization and gaining dominance will help the dog develop an even temper.
 * 4) Start obedience training early. Because this is a dominant breed, it's important to be able to control your bulldog by voice alone. Positive reinforcement will go further than physical, as this breed is eager to please. If you must discipline, try the cold shoulder approach, this dog loves your attention and not getting it is worse than any smack with a newspaper. Especially since your not going to hurt a 120-150lb (full grown male) with a newspaper.
 * 5) Give your bulldog vigorous exercise for a minimum of 30 to 45 minutes a day. This is an active breed, and the dog will require much activity. Keep him or her on a leash when out in public to avoid fighting with other dogs. If you don't, prepare to see a side of your dog that you didn't believe existed the moment he sees another male.
 * 6) Understand that American Bulldogs are prone to certain health conditions such as cataracts (cloudy eye lens) and hip dysphasia (a malformed ball and socket in the hip joint).
 * 7) Expect male and female American Bulldogs to grow to 22 to 34 inches and weigh between 100 and 150 lbs.
 * 8) Know that the American Bulldog will live to about 15 years

Tips

 * Early socialization with other animals will help minimize bulldogs aggressive tendencies but is no guarantee.
 * This breed does not do better in hotter climates.
 * Contact the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for more information about hip dysphasia.
 * If your dogs tail goes between its legs, know that it is either scared of you or understands its place. The only way to tell the difference is when you are playing with your dog or its just "following" you around. If its tail curls up with the tip looking like its going to touch its back when you play with it, but it sits down close to almost being between its legs at some times (such as eating/drinking), it knows its place and this is a good sign. If its tail doesn't curl while playing/walking or any other activity, your dog is afraid of you and you need to rethink your thoughts/habits about raising a dog.
 * When raising a dog you should always be calm. This rule is a huge factor in raising a bull dog. If your bull dog thought a person was scaring or putting you in danger it would tear through that person in a second. All dogs can sense fear.

Warnings

 * Choke chains do little to control an American bulldog due to its high pain tolerance. A pinch collar works better.
 * For the absolute best control, buy a harness. Its hard to get them in if they haven't grown out of the puppy stage (about 2-3yrs), but if you can control your dog with voice alone it is THE BEST means of control. Note that if you cannot control by voice ques alone, and are not stronger than the dog, prepare to be pulled around...and possibly on your face.  If you think this might happen just stick with the pinch collar!
 * During socialization it is VERY important that you watch your dog. I've seen plenty of "fights" with my dog involved where he was only playing. If your dog is involved in a fight and its tail is wagging/curled/or anything but straight, the only thing you have to worry about is the other dog.  If you notice your dogs tail going straight...its time to try to socialize again another day.
 * American Bulldogs get very...very....very strong. Its important to keep in mind, that while it wont intentionally hurt you, it is quite possible he will at one point in his life.  Always remember, while playing with your dog, that the harder you play with him, the harder he thinks he can play with you.

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