Caring for your baby Bulldog

When you arrive home with your puppy, remember - your puppy is a baby Bulldog. Like all babies, he needs lots of love and cuddling

 

Moving to a new home, leaving his dam and litter mates and the only humans he has ever really known is a very traumatic experience for the puppy; so try to make the move as easy as possible for him. For the first couple of weeks, try to change his life as little as possible. 

And although you'll want everyone to meet him- it's best to hold off- remember their little immune systems are still developing!

 

Follow the feeding routine he is accustomed to. The same times, the same amount, the same brand of food, the same supplements. Feed him in the same place at each meal. Be sure he has a special area all his own for his bed. 

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a great book to read

forever dog

https://www.target.com/p/the-forever-dog-by-rodney-habib-38-karen-shaw-becker-hardcover/-/A-82728925?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000012764139&CPNG=PLA_Entertainment%2BShopping_Local%7CEntertainment_Ecomm_Hardlines&adgroup=SC_Entertainment&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9019801&targetid=pla-82461913489&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1248099&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoNWOBhCwARIsAAiHnEgfba2iGC0x11h4sNIKeV2h7dxyo286JklX5GCzP5-lrjvihBcAazYaAo5XEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

Vet Puppy Check

Sometime during the first week, you should take him to your veterinarian for a check up and "get to know you" visit. Take along the record of his immunizations and wormings and a stool sample.

Bring a towel or blanket to set your puppy on...  do not let the puppy touch any surface in that office including the scale  !!!

 

Once the puppy is settled securely into his new home, you can begin to introduce him to your way of doing things. If you want to change food he is eating, the change should be slow and gradual. Substitute a small amount of the old food with the new brand and slowly increase the ratio of new to old until the old brand is completely replaced with the new. Please see "feeding" below for proper nutrition....I feed our bullies a raw diet

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Bullie diet

Our Puppies are started on an 80/10/10 whole food diet.  I have found over the years that their diet directly contributes to the health of my Bullies.  Twice a week they get a cup of Vegetable Bone broth- usually made with a soup bone, dandelion greens, kale, carrots, and whatever else might be in my refrigerator. I cook on low in a crock pot filled with water and one tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar for 24 hours. 

 

I have been working with Larry at Agcore Technologies, a spirulina grower on the East Coast, to develop a dog food topper.  I am using the Farm Blend Pumpkin Topper here at Lonely Acres. He has shared a 20% coupon code LA20 ( I do not get any kickbacks from my clients purchasing his product- I simply believe in the value) 

https://agcorepetfoods.com/

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litter box trained

Our pups are litter box trained by the time they come home with you. I’ve found that learning to potty in a specific place makes the potty training transition that much easier. Sometimes folks opt to continue using a potty box due to working an 8+ hour day.

 

The initial set up should consist of a wire crate with a blanket (for sleeping)

like this one: https://www.chewy.com/midwest-icrate-fold-carry-single-door/dp/45364

 

A play pen hooked to the crate (for water, food dish, and toys)

Like this one: https://www.chewy.com/paws-pals-collapsible-wire-dog/dp/159974

 

A litter box

Like this: https://www.chewy.com/puppy-pan-dog-cat-small-animal-litter/dp/167816

 

I use wood pellets in their potty box (watered down)

like this: https://www.chewy.com/feline-pine-original-non-clumping/dp/47621?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=hg&utm_content=Feline%20Pine&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtrSLBhCLARIsACh6RmjMQVc7ervLjAtLzGfNQKe-kkfYThtVO1KSugAncf2JYZ-PLamxNVAaAkHfEALw_wcB

 

Keeping them healthy

I can not advise strongly enough that you limit chemicals in and around your Bulldog. From household products to flea and tick meds. AVOIDANCE is key. Your pup needs their puppy shots once momma’s milk antibodies are cleared from their system. Any need above and beyond that should only be given after a titers test result. Skin and or allergy issues are a sign that their immune systems are battling an issue. If there is an allergy issue, full allergy screening is recommended so you are able to get to the root cause. Any use of steroids is nothing more than a band aid, meanwhile the real issue is causing havoc. 

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Wrinkles & tear stains

Clean the wrinkles a couple of times a week. Some need it on a daily basis.   You can clean the wrinkles with a soft, damp cloth and then dry thoroughly. One of the best ways is to wipe the wrinkles clean with Baby Wipes with lanolin and aloe. If he develops a yeasty smell use a monostat cream after cleaning to kill the yeast (remember carbs/kibble produce sugar-sugar feeds yeast)

A sizable number of Bulldogs have "tear stains" of varying degrees of color. If the stain is bad, in addition to cleaning you may want to try to remove the stain...oh the money i spent  ;-) the conclusion i came to was #1 so long as the tear stains are not the result of an eye issue or an over reaction of the immune system due to allergens- don't sweat it- just keep it clean

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Natural Flea and Tick Preventative:

5 parts neem oil, 1 part mint oil, 2 parts cedar oil, and 1 part eucalyptus Mix  in a spray bottle- Shake well before using.

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grooming

Your Bulldog should be thoroughly brushed at least three times a week. Most Bulldogs love to be brushed. Use a soft bristle or rubber brush. Follow this with a good rub down. This will keep his hair shiny and his skin healthy. During shedding time, spring and fall, you may need to brush more often, give more frequent rubdowns. The idea is to remove the dead hair and distribute the natural oils.

Most Bulldoggers bathe their dogs when the dog is dirty - when it obviously needs a bath. just not more than 1x per week. Be sure to use an oatmeal based shampoo.

Most Bulldogs need their toe nails cut on a regular basis - about every two weeks. I am clipping them consistently, so if you continue that trend they will be comfortable with having it done. The nails should be kept as short as possible. You may use dog nail clippers or an electric grinder. Be especially careful not to cut into the quick. On white nails you can see where the quick begins. On black nails cut just to the curve of the nail. 

 

Training  ;-)

Hold off with classes until your pup is 6 months old and can be part of an obedience class. Their little immune systems are at such a high risk. Instead make play dates with people you know and trust to take good care of their dogs.

 

just My opinion

on Dog Parks- A great place for your pup to pick up parasites & viruses &bacteria & bad manners & dog fights

 

Never be afraid to reach out!

I am always available to answer any questions that might come up. It doesn’t matter if it's in 3 weeks or 10 years from now. If I don’t have an answer, I’ll find one. If I miss your call I will call you back as soon as I can. 

 

Leah