Keeping a Bulldog healthy means taking care of him and his coat. If you have ever had to take your dog for grooming, then you know that the process can be time-consuming and expensive. The best way to keep your bulldog healthy is by following these 10 tips:

1) Brush Your Bulldog’s Coat Regularly Brushing your dog’s hair will help remove dead skin cells from their coats, which in turn helps prevent matting or tangling. It also makes them look good! You should brush your dogs every other day at least once during the week. Make sure you use a soft bristle brush with short bristles on it so as not to scratch your dog’s sensitive ears.

2) Keep Them Clean – Keeping your dog clean is just as important as brushing his fur. Bathe your dog regularly using the only shampoo designed specifically for dogs. Be careful when bathing your dog because he may lick himself while you are washing him. It is recommended that you bathe your dog after each walk.
Keeping your Bulldog skinfold clean is also important. Use a washcloth soaked in warm water and soap to gently wipe down your dog’s face and neck area. Do this twice daily. Also, make sure to check your dog’s paws often. They tend to get dirty fairly quickly if they spend most of their time outside.

3) Feed Him Well- A well-fed dog has less chance of getting sick than one who isn’t eating properly. When feeding your dog, always give him two meals per day. One meal should consist of high-quality food such as dry kibble or canned foods. Another option would be wet food like chicken broth mixed into hot cereal. Always feed your dog before 8 am and again around 6 pm. Never let your dog go hungry.

4) Exercise Your Dog Properly- Dogs need exercise too! Playtime is great fun for both you and your dog. However, don’t overdo it. Too much playtime could lead to obesity problems later on. Instead, try playing fetch games where you throw balls for your dog to retrieve.

5) Vaccinate Your Dog Every Year- All puppies must receive vaccinations against rabies, distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, bordetella, leptospirosis, adenovirus type 2, coronavirus, panleukopenia, canine influenza virus, and Lyme disease. These vaccines protect your puppy from serious diseases that might affect him throughout life. In addition, all adult dogs should be vaccinated annually against heartworm disease, although some breeds require more frequent shots. Puppy vaccination schedules vary depending upon breed and age; consult your veterinarian about what schedule works best for your particular pet.

6) Check His Teeth Often- Have your vet examine your dog’s teeth monthly to ensure there aren’t any signs of tartar buildup. Tartar buildup causes gum inflammation and infection. To avoid this problem, brush your dog’s gums thoroughly three times a week.

7) Take Care Of His Eyes- Many people think that eye exams are unnecessary but regular visits can save your dog’s eyesight. If your dog starts having trouble seeing clearly, take him to an ophthalmologist immediately. The sooner treatment begins, the better off your dog will be.

8) Watch Out For Fleas And Ticks- Flea bites and ticks can cause severe itching and irritation. Try applying flea powder, dip collars, or topical treatments to control these pests. Consult your local pest management company for advice on how to treat your home safely.

9) Give Him Enough Water- Drinking enough water is essential for keeping your dog healthy. Most dogs drink between 1/2 cup and 3 cups of water per pound of body weight per day. If your dog drinks more than this amount, they risk developing kidney stones.

10) Get Rid Of Unwanted Hair- Some breeds have thick undercoats that shed constantly. Others have long hair that sticks out everywhere. Either way, keep your dog groomed to reduce shedding.

Kick Fetch Toy Ball for Dogs

Bulldogs are known to be very stubborn canines by nature. They would rather choose sleeping and lying down rather than playing and running around. This trait of this dog breed gave them the impression that they are too lazy to exercise. But like any other dogs, they also need to have a regular exercise for them to be healthy and strong. But how can you, a bulldog owner, make you little stubborn buddy do exercise and give them a healthy lifestyle?

I have gathered a few tips that you may use to train to make your lovable bulldog pet in doing and getting the proper exercise he or she needs.

START YOUNG

The younger your bulldog, the better it is to train them in doing exercise. We all know that dogs are animals of habit, so it is best to get them accustomed to exercising and developing it while they are still young. You will soon see that your dog will grow up to be fond of walking around and playing like they outgrew their habit of being stubborn.

Retractable Dog Leash

MODERATE EXERCISE

Bulldogs have very limited physical abilities unlike any other dog breeds. They have shorter legs, a big head and a stout nose that makes their ability in breathing less effective than other dogs. Shortness of breath is often manifested by bulldogs which limit their ability in doing strenuous activities like running. It is best to make your little buddy walk around at short distances with short breaks in between to give your dog a chance to catch his or her breath.

CONSIDER THE WEATHER

IQ Test Ball

Since bulldogs are very prone to have shortness of breaths, it is best to make them exercise in days that are not too hot. Bulldogs are very vulnerable to heart attacks and heat strokes. Always check on the weather first before getting them out for their daily walk to prevent such occurrences.

ALL WORK IS NOT GOOD

Your dog needs enough energy to do exercise. They need to be given the right nutrition and sufficient rest periods to enable them to do such activities. If your bulldog is too tired or is lacking rest, it will show or trigger his laziness in doing exercise. Rest and nutrition is also needed for your dog’s growth and ability to cope and counter physical stress.

Most importantly, give your bulldog the love and care that they need. A loved dog is a healthy and strong dog. After all, they are considered man’s best friend.

More Exercising Toys for your Bulldog

Black Genuine Leather BullDog Harness

The bullmastiff is a cross between the English Mastiff and the Old English Bulldog. These dogs, the bullmastiffs, were originally developed by gamekeepers during the 19nth century in England to keep guard of estates and stop thieves from breaking into mansions and palaces of the nobles. Today they are often used as police and military guard dogs because they are tough, fearless and most of all silent. Bullmastiffs are also intelligent, even tempered, calm and loyal dogs which need firm human leadership. They are consistent with rules as they are docile but at the same time affectionate.

Training a bullmastiff is like exploring unchartered territories. Gaining their trust and establishing your leadership to them will require you a good amount of thorough and intelligent but also sensitive training skills. Now don’t get me wrong, they are not really that hard to train, they just need a little bit of assertive authority coming from the owner or the trainer.

By Eran Finkle from Flickr.com

Simple Bullmastiff Training Tips

1. The best way to train dogs, particularly bullmastiffs, is to start when they are young. Start when they are still puppies. Their size makes it easier for you to control them also giving you a chance to introduce to them your rules.
2. Consistency is the key to training a bullmastiffs.  You need to practice the same things every day in a certain time, though bullmastiffs are intelligent breeds, it will also take them a considerable amount of time to understand what you are saying. Consistency of actions can help reinforce the bullmastiffs understanding on what you want them to do.
3. Communication is also essential in training a bullmastiff. Start with simple signs or hand gestures that will signify them to move. You can start by using a collar or a leash as a guide in telling them where to go and what you want them to do. For instance, if you want them to sit down, you can pull up on the collar while pushing their back end down. Do things like these frequently so that these simple gestures will register to their minds. The next time you do it again, they will hopefully know what to do.
4. 

   Dehydrated Dog Food

   Rewards are also an important concept in training a bullmastiff. Do not forget to reward them every time they correctly do their tasks. Simple acts like these will let them know that what they are doing is right and will give them positive reinforcement to be good in something that they do whenever you ask them.

5. Bullmastiffs also understand punishments. Do not hesitate to reprimand them whenever they do something naughty or unpleasant like taking a pee in the garden, tearing down your bed sheets and pillows, nibbling your footwear and the like.
   

   How to Raise the Perfect Dog

6. Make it a point to walk your dog in parks or around your neighborhood. Like humans they also need to socialize with other dogs and exercise to. While walking in gateways or doorways, go first, the dog must be at your side or walking behind you. This is important because dog instincts tell them that the pack leader goes first. This should also help you in establishing authority.
7. Do not forget to always keep your bullmastiff in good shape. A balanced diet, good food and lots of exercise are secrets to keeping your bullmastiff in great shape. Keeping him clean is also a must. Wash your dog once in a while, clean the wrinkles, cut his nails regularly and check his paws. Also, do not forget to monitor his temperature especially on hot days. If your dog shows signs of dehydration or heat stroke cool him down quickly.

While these tips might be of good help to you when it comes to taking care  and training a bullmastiff, always remember that nothing can still beat the importance of establishing a good relationship between you, the owner, and your dog, the bullmastiff. Always remember that the goal of training a bullmastiff is not for your dog to fear or you but to love you in any way possible, because obedience is better established with love than with fear.

Breeders and pet owners have been alarmed lately due to a massive product recall initiated by certain dog food manufacturers. With reasons varying from an ‘off’ or odd scent to a choking hazard, these product recalls only mean one thing our pet’s health is at risk.

Among the large brands that have recalled their products is Pedigree. The reason behind the recall is due to small pieces of plastic which accidentally found its way into the dog food during the packaging process.

Currently, Mars, the makers of Pedigree, are corresponding with retailers and distributors to make sure that the products in their recall list are taken off the shelves. Customers who bought the recalled products are highly encouraged to return their purchase to get a complete refund.

Nature’s Variety on the other hand recalled their products due to an odd smell which develops over time. While the company has yet to determine the cause of the odor, they are issuing a full refund or a swap for a different variant.

But perhaps one of the worst cases of product recall is from Diamond Pet Foods. Their voluntary recall is due to a salmonella contamination in one of their plants. This contamination has led to fourteen people getting sick in nine different states.

Due to this incident, companies that co-manufacture their products with Diamond Pet Foods have also begun pulling out their products from retailers and distributors. Among these companies are Kirkland Signature, Apex Pet Foods, Natural Balance, and Wellness Complete Health Puppy Food. While there has been no report of people or pets getting sick from these companies, their move to recall their products are precautionary measures.

To view a complete list of products on recall, this links to the FDA’s website on the topic of dog food recall.

With all these product recalls going on, commercial pet food products are becoming more and more unsafe. If you are looking for a great pet food alternative, do consider giving your dog the BARF diet or selected dog products. More information about this revolutionary pet diet here on this website.

Universal Pet Microchip Reader

Collars and dog tags can sometimes come off your dog’s neck. Your dog can then stray away and there’s no way for you to find them or for anyone to identify your dog when they do get found by someone else. This has been one of the major concerns among pet owners and many are still dealing with how their dogs can be uniquely identified even without a dog tag or collar.
But with recent technological advancements, some electronics company has addressed this issue by creating a microchip which contains a unique serial number with the dog’s identity and the owner’s address in it. It works similarly to how wildlife conservationists tag certain animals to track them and identify them using radio signals. But for your pets, it’s more for identification purposes.

What is in the microchip?

As said earlier, the microchip contains a series of numbers which points to vital information regarding the dog’s identity and the owner’s address and contact number. This information can be extracted by a hand held device which reads the microchip’s signal. The signal is then translated to reveal the chip’s unique numbers and the data which it points to.

Pet Tracking Microchip Implant Kit

How to Microchip Your Dog

Most veterinary clinics will offer microchipping your bulldog for $15 to about $50 depending on where you live. This process usually takes about just under a minute to complete. Installing the microchip on your dog works like him getting a vaccination shot. The microchip comes in a syringe and is injected somewhere around the dog’s shoulder blades an exposed are where people with the microchip scanner can easily access.
While this ensures that your dog is identified using the scanner, it’s still not a complete guarantee that you will find your dog when he strays off. Not all shelters and pounds have scanners to properly identify dogs that have been turned in. However, it does increase the chance that your dog will be identified if he is found by someone with a scanner or is taken to authorities.

The Right Pet

When choosing the right pet for you, be it a dog, cat, or even just a fish, it helps to know if they do in fact fit in with your kind of lifestyle and budget. When it comes to bulldogs, there are various breeds to choose from and with varying sizes too. Before picking out which breed you want, ask yourself if you can afford taking care of such a dog, and whether or not they will adapt to your lifestyle (i.e. will they fit in your small apartment or will they be comfortable alone or with another pet at home?).

Bulldogs have certain health issues which they can be susceptible to. Knowing these health issues, will you be prepared (financially) to deal with such concerns?

Prevention is Better than Cure

We’ve all heard this quote before and it’s actually a good advice for both us and our pets. Investing in preventive vaccines and treatments will most likely result to your bulldog not having to go through certain illnesses and you not having to pay for outrageous emergency veterinary bills. To do this, keep your dog healthy and vaccinated regularly according to your vet’s advice.

Or better yet, having him eat healthily and giving him a good physical workout will allow him to build a healthy body that’s not susceptible to infections and injuries.

Pet Care and Insurance

Humans are no stranger to insurance. However, pet insurance is a rather new trend among pet owners. While it may sound over-the-top that a person should buy insurance for his or her bulldog, this is actually a good investment.

Considering the fact that insurance can cover part, if not the entire cost your dog’s vet bills and medicine. However choosing the right insurance is also key in this tip and it may take quite some time to read and understand the fine print that comes with pet insurance.

If you’re apprehensive about pet insurance, you can opt to have some sort of savings put away somewhere and is readily available in case your pooch needs medicine or a visit to the vet.

Generics

If it’s unavoidable and you have to buy medicine for your dog, do opt for the generic version of the medicine. If your vet does not prescribe you generic medicine, you can ask your pharmacist to give you one. Generic drugs are far cheaper than branded medicine that is usually prescribed by professionals.

Good Diet

As mentioned before, prevention is better than cure. Part of taking preventive measures is keeping your dog healthy. And a perfect way to keep your dog healthy is by feeding him the right diet.

Today’s trend among pet owners is feeding their dogs the BARF diet. Bones and raw meat are known to have many wonderful effects on a dog’s health when served in right portions and sometimes with supplements. If you want to know more about how to feed your dog the BARF diet, check this website for articles and videos about the topic.

Attention

Sometimes, all our pet needs is just a little bit of our attention. Instead of investing money in expensive toys, and fancy pet products, a walk to the park for some playtime can do better things. Playing with your dog not only strengthens your bond, but is also psychologically healthy for your dog. So as much as possible, play with your dog!

Black Soft Sided Pet Carrier available in XM and M and L sizes

Going on trips and vacations can be a lot of fun for you, but for your bulldog that has to stay at home or a dog sitter while you’re away, it’s not that fun at all. It’s never fun for them when you’re away, and it’s even more stressful for you to find a good dog sitter to watch your dog while you’re away. So the next time you travel and decide to bring your pooch along, here are a few tips and reminders:

First of all, not all dogs are fit to travel. Some dogs might get to anxious or are sometimes restricted from travelling due to health reasons. Some dog breeds are also banned in certain states or countries. Having said so make sure he is fit to travel and is comfortable with travelling.

If you plan on staying at a hotel, or even at a friend’s or a relative’s place for that matter, a good rule of thumb is to call ahead and ask if it’s ok to bring your dog along.

For hotels, ask if the dog is allowed to stay in the room with you. Also, ask about which specific areas in the establishment your dog is also allowed to stay (i.e. lobby, gift shop, and restaurant) and always clean up after your dog if he makes a mess. Never have him out without a collar and a leash.

If you are travelling by car, here are some tips to keep your dog comfortable and safe throughout the ride:

Bulldogs especially love car rides. And it is important to keep them cool, comfortable, and safe throughout the trip. To keep him safe, have him get used to wearing a special harness when riding a car. This helps you avoid him getting injuries from falling off the seat or from jumping out the window.

Collapsible Travel Dog Food and Water Bowl

Also, allow your dog frequent stops to drink, stretch, and perhaps to relieve himself.

Bulldogs overheat easily. Thus, it is important to keep him cool at all times. When travelling around with your bulldog, always carry with you a cooler with some ice just in case things get too hot for your bullie.

Finally and the most important of all, always carry with you your dog’s papers. These documents are important when travelling so that the authorities will know that your dog is fit to travel and is a registered pet.

More Travel Accessories for your Bulldog

Your bulldog’s health can become very unpredictable because of these breed-related issues, and thus, you may need to get your pet bulldog regular veterinary care. And because veterinary services are somewhat pricier these days, it would be a wise choice to get your pet insurance. Luckily, pet insurance services are popular now and many insurance companies already provide pet insurance plans. Most of these insurance policies cover a wide range of veterinary services such as: regular vet check-up, emergency check-ups, specialist consultation, diagnostic and laboratory tests, injections, treatments, surgery, and even therapy.

If you plan to get your bulldog insurance, there are many possible companies that you can approach. However, it is also helpful to do a little research on which insurance company you can choose to buy insurance from. Because there are so many that provide this service, it could be hard to choose which one bets suits your pet’s needs and, of course, your budget.

Basically, a talk with an insurance agent will help you decide on this matter. But before you do, allow yourself some time to scrutinize the details of their insurance policy. Find out the benefits of their policy, read the fine print, and see if they have any hidden charges. Knowing all the details and content of the policy will help you avoid spending even more than what you are actually getting out of the insurance you bought for your pet.

There is a French Bulldog Pet Insurance Guide that can be useful for French Bulldog owners explaining treatment costs, the expected cost of pet insurance per month for a French Bulldog and what will be covered by pet insurance. You can read a little more about the medical conditions your Frenchie may face and why pet insurance can be a huge help.

Anti Chew Spray for Puppy

Puppy biting is normal. Biting and nibbling is a form of play for dogs especially when they are playing among themselves. At a young age, puppies will chew, nibble, and bite at toys, furniture, shoes, and other objects. During playtime with you however, they will more often try to take a few good bites on your hand.

While this may seem cute at the beginning, it will become a hazard once your puppy is fully-grown and has not learned to control its biting. When this is not corrected at a young age, your puppy might grow up thinking that it’s ok to bite humans or maybe engage in rough play biting. Play biting is an unacceptable form of play. It is important that you train your puppy, while it is still young, to enjoy games with toys instead of taking a chunk off your hand.

Nylabone Durable Dental Dinosaur Chew Toy

Remember however that playing is an important part of a puppy’s development. It is a healthy and natural way to maintain your puppy’s good demeanor, and keep its health in balance.  Playing with your puppy also develops a strong bond between you and your pet.

There are a few things you need to remember before you begin to train your puppy not to bite. A good start is to train your puppy to decrease its bite pressure when it comes to nibbling at hands. Allow your puppy to nibble at your hands. When your puppy bites down hard on your hand, yell out an ‘ouch!’ to startle him. After your puppy pauses, allow him to mouth at your hand again. Speak up every time your puppy bites down too hard on your hand. Through this, your puppy will learn your threshold ‘what is an acceptable amount of play biting for you and what’ isn’t.

Once your puppy understands what acceptable play biting is, you can then begin training to reduce biting. A good start is to redirect your puppy to a toy or bone that he can chew on. When your puppy begins to nibble at your hand again, give your puppy a firm and authoritative ‘no’ and give him a toy that he could chew on.

Puppy biting, Prissy 1’rfduck (Flickr.com)

Puppies three to six months old are most likely still be teething at that age. At this point in their early life, teething can cause discomfort and one way they can reduce this is by chewing. If so, give your dog an ice cube to chew on instead. This will numb the gums and will reduce the pain from teething.

Finally, another way you can reduce your puppy’s biting is by pretending you are injured. When your puppy bites down hard on your hand, yell ‘ouch’ and walk away. This behavior mirrors that of an injured puppy during rough play. Through this, they will learn that their nipping can actually harm their friend or human and will eventually be gentler during playtime.

Controlling puppy biting can be a great challenge for dog lovers. It may be fun in the beginning, but it might become too rough when your dog finally becomes a full-grown adult. Training your dog to reduce its biting will take time, and the training must be built on trust and love to be effective. However, with patience and some time spent with your puppy, it will yield a very loving and obedient canine companion.

More Toys for Bulldog Puppy Biting

Dog Training Clicker

Matt and Ace have been having problems with their overly aggressive French bulldog. As one of the couple puts it, their dog has been having episodes of hyperactivity which sometimes result to aggressive behavior. But it’s a good thing that Cesar Millan is nearby to give these rocking couple a helping hand.

French bulldogs, like all bulldog breeds are very persistent. At times, it’s hard to get their attention if they are engrossed in something that has attracted their curiosity or excitement. But like all other dogs, these kinds of behaviors can be remedied through proper training.

Specifically, Matt’s and Ace’s problem with their frenchie is that their dog gets overly excited when guests come over. She would jump them and nip at them in her excitement. As severe a problem as it may appear, Cesar’s solution is simple: control.

Control over your French Bulldog when he is excited deal with concepts such as: leadership, superiority over your dog, and your alpha dog status. When these concepts are clear between you and your dog, training becomes quite easy.

Stop That! Behavior Correction Spray

In this case, Cesar has already established an authority over dogs just by his posture and body language alone and he uses it to his advantage. The key he says, in this case, is not to remove the dog from the guest (or the guest from the dog) but to teach him how to greet the visitor. Cesar demonstrates how claiming the visitor as your guest makes the dog understand that a guest should not be jumped on or nipped.

Cesar Millan deals with all kinds of dog behavior problems there is. In his book entitled ‘How to Raise the Perfect Dog‘, he discusses all the things you need to know on how you can properly train your pet pooch into becoming the perfect canine companion. This revolutionary book is specially designed so that you, a pet owner, will not have to go through the pains of having a misbehaved dog. With his book, you will be thoroughly guided and taught the important concepts of being a pack leader which is a precursor to other concepts of dog training. Grab a copy now!

More Cesar Milan’s Bulldog Training Books