So, you are ready to train your English bulldog to walk on a lead. Maybe you recently purchased a puppy and need to know when and how to begin. Or maybe you rescued an adult bulldog that never received proper training. Regardless of your circumstance, you may have questions about the process. Here are some of the most common questions about lead training and their answers. Good luck, and happy training!

Your dog should get used to leashes early on when he is more impressionable and easier to train. For English bulldogs, this should begin when your dog is about eight weeks old. Of course, this doesn’t mean taking your dog on a mile-long walk; it means introducing him to a collar and lead. To do this, have your dog wear his harness around the house, and then slowly introduce the lead while indoors. Once he is used to it, go on short walks in the yard or outside. Start small and move on from there.

Collars may by useful for showing off your dog’s bling, but that’s about it. For bulldogs, harnesses are hands down the better choice. This is for several reasons: One, bulldogs have enough breathing issues as it is, and collars put more stress on their windpipes, making walks even more difficult. Two, because of a bulldog’s neck folds, squeezing out of a regular collar is much easier. Harnesses will not come off when your dog tries to back out of them, and they let you snap a lead without affecting sensitive areas like the neck. This will allow you to train your dog more gently and more effectively.

Ah yes, the dreaded pull. You go outside to walk your dog, and within seconds you realize he’s walking you! Training your dog not to pull on walks will take a lot of patience, but it can be done. The trick is to make sure your dog knows that he can only move forward when the leash is slack. So, when your dog pulls, stop moving and proceed only after he stops with you. Reward the correct behavior with treats or praise. It will likely take your many tries to master this, but eventually he will stop. Be patient!

Unfortunately, because of the bulldog’s uniquely stubborn temperament and exercise intolerance, this happens a lot. While the behavior can be frustrating, there are techniques to get him going again. First, take your dog to the vet and make sure it isn’t caused by a health issue like arthritis. If it isn’t, tackle the behavior. Try walking around your dog and then moving forward. When your dog moves, praise him and give him treats. You can also use treats as an incentive; if your dog “puts on the breaks” during a walk, place a treat in front of his face and give it to him when he moves forward. If these techniques don’t work, try walking your dog with other dogs that can motivate yours to follow. No matter what you choose, remember to be patient and persistent, and never quit.

 

If your dog exhibits dominant behaviors while on a lead, like walking in front of you, not listening to your commands, or going in and out of doors before you, then you have your work cut out for you. That’s because if your dog is exhibiting dominance, you are not in charge, and you will have to work to regain control. To do this, you must change your behavior. Yes, you – not your dog – must change. This includes calming any nervous or anxious energy you have while around your dog, setting rules and remaining consistent with them, and mastering the walk, meaning you lead your dog and not the other way around.

Remember that dogs want peace in their packs. If they sense that you’re not a leader, they will take over that leadership position for the good of the pack. Dogs are more than happy, though, to be led by strong and confident humans. So don’t think that by taking control you are abusing your dog. Quite the contrary – dogs are much happier when they know their positions and roles. So take a deep breath, get some confidence, and handle your dog with a calm but firm demeanor.

 

If you are still having difficulties leash training your dog, try obedience classes. It also helps to talk to other dog owners and your vet about what has worked for them. No matter what, the same advice remains: Be patient, be consistent, remain in charge, and don’t quit. Training a stubborn bulldog may take a while, but it can be done. Just keep going!

The easiest way to go about house training your new bulldog puppy is by utilizing a crate. Dogs are and always have been den and pack animals, they naturally and instinctively prefer the shelter of a den. A crate provides your puppy with a “den” like safe place to call his own. Dogs have a natural instinct to keep their “den” or sleeping quarters clean. Therefore most dogs will not urinate or defecate in their crate, which is why it is such an invaluable tool for housebreaking.

The first thing to understand, though, is the need for repetition and consistency. Your bulldog puppy will not understand what you want unless you repeatedly show him/her the desired behavior many times over and do so consistently.

Begin by purchasing the appropriate size crate. Think den not condo! It should be small with just enough room for your bulldog to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably. It is not an exercise pen. The use of too large a crate will encourage your bulldog puppy to use a small portion of it for a bed and the rest of it as a place to potty. Buy a crate that will accommodate your bulldog when he/she is fully grown but also has an adjustable divider panel that will enable you to close off a portion of the crate and then expand it as the puppy grows. We use the Midwest Life Stages crates.

Use a bed pad or an old towel or blanket for bedding and include a few “safe” toys. Leave the crate door open and allow your bulldog puppy to come and go as he pleases. Keep his favorite treats handy that you only use for the crate. Every time you put your bulldog puppy in the crate toss in a couple of treats and give the “Crate” command. It gives the puppy a nice reason to go in and creates a positive experience. At mealtimes, feed your bulldog in the crate with the door closed.

At night, just before bedtime take your bulldog puppy out to potty. When he eliminates give him lots of praise, tell them “Good Potty” (or whatever phrase you decide to use) and a treat. Put your puppy in his crate and shut the door. For the first 3 nights set your alarm for 3 hours. When your alarm goes off get your puppy and CARRY him out to potty. Set him down and wait. When he goes potty, praise him and put him back in his crate. Set your alarm for 3 more hours and repeat.

After three days, if it has been successful and there have been no accidents, move to 4-hour intervals.

After three more nights, you have hopefully taught your puppy that you will be there to take him outside when he has to go. If there have been no accidents you can then start going to bed and waiting until your puppy wakes you up to potty. It is important to respond and take him out immediately if he wakes during the night.

In the morning, as soon as you wake up, immediately take your puppy out. Allow him time to do his business and when he does tell him “Good Potty”, give a treat and lots of praise. Bring him back in the house and allow him to have “House Time”. By house time, I mean freedom to move about but always in the same room as you so that you can keep a constant eye on him. We use baby gates to block off access to other rooms.
During the day repeat the above process and continue to take the puppy out every hour. If he does not do his business put him back in his crate and try again in 15 minutes.

NEVER let a bulldog puppy in training out of your site. Use the crate as you would a playpen for a human child. Even if you leave the room for a minute, either take the puppy with you or put him in the crate. If you turn your back for 60 seconds and your puppy has an accident, then you messed up and made a mistake and have missed the opportunity to make a correction and teach the puppy. Don’t blame the puppy for your mistake.

Training an English bulldog puppy takes time, consistency and patience. Dogs function best with structure, routine, and clear expectations. Add a little love and a few laughs, and house training won’t be as bad as it seems.

You’re probably aware that English bulldogs are notoriously difficult to train. They can be stubborn, lazy, and downright uncooperative, which can make training a challenge. Still, it doesn’t have to be that challenging! There are things you can do to manage a bulldog’s obstinacy so you–and your dog–can be happy while training.