New Bulldog Owner's Guide
first
things first
First of all you will need a place your new puppy can call his own.
The crate will be used to housebreak your puppy, as a safe place for your puppy when you are away, and a place for your
puppy to sleep. The choice is up to you, and you know best what kind of schedule you will be keeping. If you don't
want a crate for your new puppy, a nice doggie bed will do just fine as long as you are still able to confine your puppy.
food
You will want to feed puppy food two times
a day. Switch your Bulldog to adult dog food at six to nine months of age.
Always have plenty
of water available for your Bulldog all the time. Choose food that is formulated for medium breed dogs.
I use Royal Canin Medium Breed Puppy and Adult Dog Food. Follow the amount recommended on the bag of food and adjust
it to your feeding schedule.
chew toys
All new puppies
will chew on most anything. Purchase safe chew toys for your puppy. These toys should be almost indestructible.
You will want to teach your new puppy what he is allowed to chew on. Never buy your puppy any toy he can swallow or
get stuck in his throat. Nylon chew toys are safe and are available at most all pet stores. Chew toys will help
in your Bully's dental hygiene. Don't give your bulldog puppy rawhide sticks, pig ears and pig hooves.
These are not safe chew toys for a bulldog.
housebreaking
Your
crate will be your aid in housebreaking your Bully. Put your puppy in the crate when you are not home and to sleep in
during the night. As soon as your puppy is let out of its crate take it outside and do not allow it to come back in
until it goes. (A little praise goes a long way.) Most all dogs will not soil where they sleep if they are left
out often enough.
overheating
Bulldogs overheat easily.
This can be from the temperature, excitement, exercise, or stress. Bulldogs can die from heat exhaustion. Whenever
you and your Bulldog are out in warm weather, take water with you. If you are going to be out for a while, take along
ice and lemon juice. If your bulldog begins to overheat and starts to bring up phlegm you must act quickly to cool him
down. Get your bully out of the heat. Squirt lemon juice into his mouth to clear away the phlegm. Put a
wet towel on him and keep him calm.
If your bulldog goes down from heat exhaustion, and his tongue
turns blue, wet him with cold water or cool him with ice. Lay him in ice or cool water if you can. You must bring
his body temperature down.
vomiting
Bulldogs have
elongated palates and sometimes vomit or bring up phlegm. This is normal. If your bulldog is doing it constantly
when he is not overheated or excited, consult your vet.
swimming
Bulldogs are not natural swimmers. Never leave your Bulldog unattended near water.
poisons
Antifreeze, chocolate, onions, certain lawn chemicals, rodenticides
face wrinkles
Keep your Bully's wrinkles clean and dry. Wipe all of the folds on his face with a wet cloth or baby
wipe, then dry them really good. Once they are nice and dry, sprinkle in some Gold Bond medicated power and you
are all done.
vaccinations
Your new puppy will
require an initial series of four vaccinations. Yearly boosters are required after the initial series.
Follow
your veterinarian's recommendations. Your Vet will tell you what the State Law is requiring rabies vaccination.
This is only a guide to help you with your new Best Friend. Any major life threatening problems should
immediately be referred to your veterinarian.
