Preparing to Bring Your New English Bulldog Puppy Home

Including Recommended Bulldog Supplies

You just got a new bulldog puppy, and you’re so excited to bring him home. You imagine him ambling about your house, getting into every nook and crevice, including the garbage can, the closets, and anything else he deems intriguing. So before bringing your new bulldog puppy home, spend some time puppy-proofing your house and gathering some needed supplies. Moving to a new home is a difficult experience for a puppy. Leaving his mother, siblings, and the only people he has known thus far can be stressful for the puppy. Sights, sounds, and smells will all be new and unusual to him. Try to make the adjustment as easy as you can for him and change as little as possible. We will start with a basic supply list of what you’ll need to have before your new bulldog puppy arrives.

Essential Supplies to Have on Hand Before Your Bulldog Puppy Arrives

  • Nature’s Logic Original Dry Dog Food
    Beef is the formula you will want to purchase first since this is the food your bulldog puppy will be currently eating. I strongly encourage new puppy owners to continue using Nature’s Logic, and I also recommend Orijen brand dog food. We do a rotational feed between almost all of those two brands’ protein sources. You can purchase the Nature’s Logic Beef formula here on Amazon:
    Nature’s Logic Beef

    Nutrition is extremely important for the proper development of your bulldog puppy. However, it is crucial that you keep a close eye on your bulldog puppy’s weight and that you never allow him to become overweight, especially while going through puppyhood and the growth period, as this can cause skeletal deformities. A bulldog puppy that gets too many calories grows too quickly. It will grow its bones faster than its muscles and tendons can match, and fast growth/heavy calorie load is STRONGLY associated with skeletal/joint disorders later in life………This includes hip dysplasia. Bulldog puppies kept lean and slow-growing become adults with an EIGHTY PERCENT reduction in hip dysplasia when compared to adults who, as puppies, ate as much as they wanted. Nature’s Logic and Orijen both have wonderful reputations and use very high-quality nutrient-dense ingredients.
  • Training Treats
    We recommend nutritious, natural treats. I personally prefer to use fresh treats that come straight out of our fridge. This mostly includes smoked beef brisket, chicken breast, and cubed cheese. Other treats I keep on hand include Jack Link’s Beef Steak Strips and Orijen freeze-dried treats.
    Jack Link’s Beef Steak Strips
    Orijen Freeze Dried Treats
  • Training & Socialization
    The first 12 to 16 weeks is the most critical period for socialization and early training. Be prepared to start as soon as you bring your puppy home. Never use harsh training or punishment with your bulldog. Always use positive training techniques. Here are a few books that we recommend:
    When Pigs Fly!: Training Success with Impossible Dogs
    Puppy Start Right: Foundation Training for the Companion Dog
    Social, Civil, and Savvy: Training & Socializing Puppies to Become the Best Possible Dogs
  • Bowls for Food and Water
    Stainless steel is the most durable, easiest to wash and won’t harbor bacteria like plastic can. We use these non-skid stainless steel bowls:
    Non-Slip Stainless Steel Bowls
  • Wire Crate
    Not only will a crate serve as his den, but it is also a must for house training. Wire crates are best as they are portable, durable, comfortable, and well-ventilated. Choose one with an adjustable divider panel so that you can expand the interior size as your bulldog puppy grows. We recommend these two-door wire crates; one of the doors is a “garage” type door, perfect for leaving open after your bulldog puppy is trained so that it can go in and out as he pleases.
    Double Door Crate
  • Crate Bedding
    Inside the crates, we use reusable and washable crate mats. They are plush, soft, and durable. I also put something in for them to cuddle with, like an old t-shirt.
    Hugglefleece Crate Mat 23″x36″
  • Puppy Playpen (Optional)
    We use these modular playpens. (Setup photos and ideas coming soon!)
    BestPet Playpen 8 Panel x 24″
  • Kuranda Beds or K9 Ballistics Beds
    Besides the crate, we also have other beds throughout the house for our bulldogs to lounge around on. Our favorite beds are by Kuranda and K9 Ballistics; both are chew-proof, which makes them great for bulldogs.
    K9 Ballistics Beds come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including orthopedic beds, pillow peds, deep den beds, etc.
    Kuranda beds are elevated and easy to wipe down; we usually add a Hugglefleece Crate Mat (listed above) on top of them.
    K9 Ballistics Beds     Kuranda Beds
  • Pet Stairs or Doggy Ramp
    Bulldogs should never be allowed to jump onto or off of anything that is taller than they are. So, if you intend to let your bully watch TV on the couch or sleep in your bed, it is best to teach them to use doggy stairs or ramps.
    Pet Steps    Pet Ramps
  • Harness or Collar and Leash
    We really like the Voyager Step-In Harnesses for puppies. They come in an all-weather mesh and also a warmer plush version for cooler weather.  For our adult bulldogs, we use the Mendota British Slip Lead. This is a slip-style leash and collar in one.
    If you decide to use a traditional style collar and leash and intend to leave the collar on for long periods of time, be sure to check under the collar frequently. The skin can become irritated and, if gone unnoticed, can become very raw and even infected.
    Voyager Step-in Air Harness & Leash (Small)
    Voyager Step-in Plush Harness & Leash (Small)
    Mendota Slip Leash (3/8″ x 6′)
  • Puppy Puzzles
    Treat and kibble dispensing puzzle toys provide puppies with exercise, both physical and mental, which is great for tiring out a rambunctious bulldog puppy. They are also a great way to feed aggressive eaters since they can only get a few bites of kibble at a time. Start with simple ones like the IQ Treat Ball and the Kong Wobbler. As your puppy masters them, move on to harder puzzles.

    • IQ Treat Ball
    • Kong Wobbler
  • Safe Toys
    Natural antler chews (Deer, Elk, etc.), Bully sticks, Kong-type toys, sturdy tug ropes, and things that will spark interest are the best choices. Avoid rawhide products and anything with parts that could break off. Here are a few of our favorites:

    • Natural Antlers  Whole or split is fine. They are expensive, but they will last forever.
    • Jumbo Bully Sticks I prefer the 12″ Jumbo since Bulldogs can be aggressive chewers.
    • HuggleHounds Toys  Puppies prefer things with “arms & legs” that they can grab a hold of and toss around.
    • West Paw Toys  We like their Zogoflex line of toys like their Hurley Dog Bones, Jive Dog Balls, Bumi Tug and plush Rowdies toys.
  • Laundry Detergent – Free and Unscented & Hypoallergenic
    This is important. Bulldogs are prone to skin allergies; wash their towels, blankets, bedding, etc., in a dye and perfume-free detergent such as Persil for sensitive skin. Avoid Tide at all costs, it is the worst for bulldogs and allergies. Plus, we think Persil cleans better anyways.
    Persil Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent
  • Baby Gates
    To keep your bulldog from getting into other rooms unsupervised, place baby gates around your home. You can use them to keep your dog away from stairs or dangerous places like basements or laundry rooms. We use these pressure-fitted gates, there is nothing to install, and they are easy to move around to different areas of the home.
    Baby Gate

Grooming Tools for Your Bulldog

  • Brushes
    We use the Kong Zoom Brush during bath time to help scrub and loosen hair and then again after they are dry. We then follow up with the FURminator. Regular use of these two brushes together dramatically reduces the shedding.

    • KONG Zoom Groom Brush
    • FURminator
  • Shampoo
    We recommend Coat Defense CD Clean Pet Shampoo. It is all-natural, hypoallergenic & concentrated. A little goes a long way. Not only does it clean well, but it also soothes and relieves itchy, dry, and inflamed skin. Perfect for Bulldogs!
    Coat Defense CD Clean Pet Shampoo
  • Squishface Wrinkle Paste & Wrinkle Wipes
    Use to clean, protect and treat wrinkles, tear stains, tail pockets, and paws. It is an anti-itch cream and, if used daily, will prevent or remove tear stains.
    Squishface Wrinkle Paste & Wrinkle Wipes Bundle
  • Cordless Dremel & Nail Grinding Bit (Coming Soon – Tips for dremeling nails and teaching your puppy to enjoy it.)
    Use weekly to keep nails nice and short, this will also help prevent interdigital cysts. We find that the cordless is easier to maneuver and works better for us, but if you already have a corded one, that will work just fine. Be sure to use a grinding wheel attachment made for nails. We use the 60-grit PLATGO Diamond Nail Grinder Bit.
    Cordless Dremel
    PLATGO Diamond Nail Grinder Bit, 60-Grit
  • Ear Cleanser
    Zymox or Vet Solutions are good brands.

Additional Supplies for Your Bulldog

  • Vetericyn Plus Pet Eye Gel
  • Zymox Otic Enzymatic Solution
  • Coat Defense Canine Daily Preventative Powder
  • Grannicks Bitter Apple Spray

Puppy Proof Your Home

In addition to supplies, you’ll want to protect your bulldog against hazardous materials and anything you don’t want him to chew. This includes sneakers and other shoes, but it also includes more dangerous things like antifreeze and power cords. Remember that your bulldog can also chew and ingest small things such as buttons, ribbons, tassels and plastic pieces, which can obstruct his airway passage or become lodged in his intestinal tract. In some cases, these will need to be surgically removed and could lead to infection or death.

Also, make sure your backyard is well fenced and that your dog cannot get into flowerbeds or dangerous plants. Poison ivy, milkweed, hemlock, and sage are all poisonous to dogs, so especially make sure these plants are not in your yard or are not accessible. Also keep yard supplies like rakes, rocks, and plastic bags out of reach so your dog doesn’t chew on them.

Find a Veterinarian that Specializes in Bulldogs

Your bulldog puppy will come home with medical and inoculation records. If you don’t already have a family vet, ask friends to recommend one and visit several offices to check for efficiency and cleanliness. As soon as he’s settled in, have your bulldog puppy checked over by the vet you choose. That way, you’ll be prepared for emergencies before they happen. Make sure to use a Bulldog experienced Vet. That is a very important thing to do. Here are two links to websites that have Bulldog Vets listed by state:

Bulldogworld: [ Link ]
Bullynet: [ Link ]