Sweetgrass English Bulldogs has put together some awesome guides for English Bulldog puppy care. Not only will it help you give your puppy the best start in life, it will help to avoid future problems as your baby grows and develops.
These guides are broken up by age range: First, what to do when your puppy us a newborn through 8 weeks old (yes, you should be preparing for your puppy’s arrival before they come home!). Next, what to do when your baby is ready for pickup! This happens around 8-12 weeks. After that, we provide training tips on what to do when your puppy is around 12 weeks – 6 months old (SEB calls this age range the “fun time”, because your puppy’s personality is starting to show!). Finally, we provide some things you can build on once your puppy is 6 months old and beyond.
We’ve already explained what to do Before Bringing Your Puppy Home, now, let’s discuss what to do once your puppy arrives!
BRINGING YOUR PUPPY HOME
PUPPY AGE: 8 weeks - 12 weeks
The time has come!! Your breeder has finished raising your puppy and is ready for you to take home your sweet new baby! Not only is this an exciting time for you, it's an even more exciting time for your puppy! The age range of 8-12 weeks is full of new learning and experiences for your English Bulldog puppy, and what they learn during this time will greatly shape their future behavior. Even though your puppy isn't fully vaccinated, you can continue socialization by exposing your puppy to positive experiences:
1. Get your puppy out and have them meet and interact with other healthy & fully vaccinated dogs and cats. Be careful with unattended dogs at dog parks and visitors in the pet store - just because the dog is out and about doesn't mean they are fully vaccinated.
2. Carry, or walk with, your new English Bulldog outside. Work toward introducing them to new sights, sounds, and people. Speak to them in a soft and soothing voice while they are enjoying these new life experiences.
3. Slowly introduce more advanced social stimulation - like going in the car, grooming, being handled, and checking their eyes/ears/tail. An English Bulldog puppy should get comfortable with having their face & wrinkles wiped!
4. Slowly, and over short periods of time, encourage your puppy to enjoy the time he has alone. Work toward longer periods of time leaving your puppy alone to avoid separation-related behavior and actions. Be sure to give lots of kisses and snuggles when you return!
5. Establish consistent commands, routines, and rules. Be sure all members of your house are on the same page with these commands, routines, and rules to maintain training consistency.
6. If possible, feed your new English Bulldog puppy the same food that the breeder was feeding them. The change from one home to the next will be stressful for your puppy, and a change in diet only adds to that stress. Keep the same feeding routine from your breeder with small, regular meals and regular intervals.
7. Continue potty training your new baby by rewarding them when they go outside.
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