Bringing home a new bulldog puppy is a really exciting moment. And while it’s a moment of joy, it’s also one of great responsibility. The key question all owners ask themselves before bringing home a bulldog puppy is how to prepare for it?
Before you bring home a bulldog puppy, you need to ensure your home is puppy proofed by blocking access to wires and using gates or doors to keep your bulldog away from harm. You will also need to have essential items, including a crate, a bed, food, treats, toys, and puppy pads, to name a few.
To help you, we’ve put together a checklist of all the items you’ll need before bringing a new bulldog puppy home for the first time.
Checklist for everything a new bulldog owner needs before welcoming home a bulldog puppy
• A collar, leash, and ID tag
• Chew stops
• Combs, brushes, and nail clippers
• Doggie shampoo and conditioner
• Dog toothbrush and toothpaste
• Treatment for ticks, fleas, and worms
• Dog bed
• Crate or kennel
• Car harness (for car owners)
• Toys (for chewing and snuggling)
• Food and water bowls
• Treats
• Vet-approved dog food
• Puppy pads for potty training
• Poop bags
• Walking harness
Why are all these puppy supplies needed?
1. ID tag, a collar, and leash
Even though it is not possible for your bulldog puppy to venture outside until they have taken all the necessary vaccinations, it is important for you to make them familiar with a soft collar and leash for when you can take them outside.
There are lots of options on the market for you to choose from and you will certainly get one matching the requirements of your furry friend. Just make sure when finding a leash and collar that they are bulldog friendly.
Apart from this, you also need an identification tag for the puppy which will display the name plus the contact address of the pooch in the event that it becomes lost. There are great GPS-tracking ids and collars out there in the market these days.
2. Chew stop
We all know that pups bite quite a bit. Especially when they are teething, and they might damage furniture and clothing within your residence in no time at all. Fortunately, an anti-chew spray that comes with an unpleasant smell will prevent the mischievous animal from messing with your items.
3. Doggie shampoo and conditioner
Regular bathing is important for your pup, so you’ll need doggie shampoo and conditioner to keep your pup looking and smelling fresh. And if you’re looking for some tips n bathing your dog, check out this post.
4. Combs, brushes, and nail clippers
Brushing on a regular basis will allow your pet to remain neat and clean and prevents the buildup of hair that has shed. It is also important to trim your dog’s nails at least a couple of times every month. If you’re afraid of using traditional dog nail clippers there are Dremel tool options. Vets and groomers can also take care of clipping nails if you’re uncomfortable doing this.
5. Toothbrush and toothpaste
The dental condition of the pooch will play an essential role in keeping them in sound health. Use a dog-friendly toothbrush plus toothpaste for maintaining the oral health of your bulldog and make sure to brush his teeth at least once every day.
6. Treatment for ticks, fleas, and worms
Parasites such as ticks, fleas, and worms can lead to serious health issues to the puppies in the long run. Make use of an effective treatment for these harmful parasites to keep your furry pet free from ailments.
7. Dog bed
While bulldog puppies are growing, they tend to sleep for many hours. Make sure to find a comfy bed for the dog to ensure a peaceful sleep. There are many types of dog beds out there, and you will not have a tough time to find one for your adorable bulldog. We in fact have an entire post dedicated to them which can be found here.
8. Crate or kennel
A top-quality kennel or crate will be imperative depending on where the pup is going to sleep. It’s best to create- or kennel-train your pup when they’re young, so that they get used to staying in them.
9. Car harness (for car owners)
If you own a car, it might be good to buy a car harness for your pup, so that you can travel with him/her safely.
10. Toys
When the pup enters your house for the first time, it is natural for him to feel nervous and a little scared of his new surroundings. It is your duty to make him feel safe and at ease while stepping into your abode for the first time. For this, you can offer him/her some plush toys which will help to keep him or her engaged for hours.
Since it is the natural tendency of the pups to explore the surroundings using their mouth, this might involve lots of undesirable chewing on your items and belongings. Soft chew toys will allow the naughty animals to divert their minds preventing munching on your clothing, electric cords, and shoes.
Appropriate play toys are a must if you always want to keep your bulldog in top mental health. With the right play toys, they won’t be suffering from any sort of boredom at all.
11. Food and water bowls
Your new bulldog pup will need to drink plenty of water during the day and he will consume his favorite snacks too. For this, you will need at least two bowls, once for water and one for food.
12. Treats
A lot of training teats will be necessary for the bulldog pup given that the initial few weeks are going to involve lots of lessons. You can reward your pooch with these treats when he or she listens to your commands and for good behavior.
13. Vet-approved dog food
Vets will recommend providing your pet with food items that will supply them with all the essential minerals and vitamins that they need for their development into a healthy adult canine.
14. Puppy pads
If you are live in an apartment or don’t have easy access to a backyard and your pet has to stay indoors for the majority of the day, then these puppy pads will allow them to do their business safely within your apartment. They will come in handy when you start toilet training too.
15. Poop bags
This will come in handy later, when you’re able to take your pup outside for walks. There are great biodegradable options out there.
16. Walking harness
A well-designed lead and harness will allow the bulldog to run in a smooth and effortless manner. Harnesses are best for bulldogs, when you’re finally ready to take your pup outside for walks.
Care services that need to be lined up
Owning a bulldog puppy is one of the most joyous experiences on earth. However, it is not an easy job to parent a new puppy. Below, we have provided a guide which will help you to care of your new family member in the best possible way.
1. Find a good vet
The first and foremost thing you need to do is to find an experienced vet for your bulldog. If you don’t have access to a vet already, it will be advisable to ask for recommendations and/or search online. If you brought the pup from any shelter, feel free to ask for their advice too. Local dog groomers and walkers can also help you a great deal in this matter.
2. Make the most of the initial visit to the vet
Ask your vet for food recommendations, how frequently you should feed, and what portion size to offer your dog.
• Talk about the safest options to control parasites, both internal and external
• Create a vaccination plan
• Ask about what signs of illness you should pay attention to during the initial few months of the pup
• Inquire about when the dog should be spayed or neutered.
3. Watch out for any early sign of illness
During the initial few months, bulldog pups can suffer from illnesses that can creep up suddenly if not detected early. Below, are some symptoms that if you notice, you should contact your vet right away.
• A poor gain of weight
• No appetite
• Painful or swollen abdomen
• Vomiting
• Difficulty in breathing
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Pale gums
• Coughing or wheezing
• Discharge from the nose
• Red or swollen eyes
• Eye discharge
• Inability to pass stool or urine
What rules and routines do new puppy owners need to establish?
Puppies require consistency for learning. One must not change the rules since it will confuse the dog. You’re the boss and you get to set the rules, but just make sure everyone in the family agrees on and maintains these rules, or your puppy will not be easy to train. You get to decide if your dog is allows on the sofa or the bed, and where he or she will sleep. But be sure that you’re consistent, or your pup will be confused about what is and what isn’t allowed.
Potty regimen:
It will be a good idea to select an easily accessible and clean location for potty training and make sure that all household members know exactly where the dog is supposed to go. Try not to move this location as it might confuse your dog.
In addition to location, you must be consistent with your pup in terms of potty timings. This consistency in timing will make it easier to toilet train your pup.
Routine for meals:
You might ring the dinner bell when it is time for the pup to have his meal. Think about whether he or she will be allowed to take treats from the dining table and warn your household members not to offer them meals as and when they like.
Walking regimen:
Your puppy is only a puppy once, so make sure that’s an enjoyable time for both him/her and you. Schedule plenty of playtime while he/she is young – this helps to not only keep them entertained, but also helps to keep them mentally stimulated, and tires them out. There is a saying that an exhausted dog is a well-behaved one. While playing with the puppy, make certain to teach him some new commands every single day.
How to puppy-proof your home?
• Keep harmful plants out of reach
• Keep medications in a safe, and out of reach location
• Keep cleaning supplies in an enclosed area since they can be toxic
• Trash cans must be dog-proof so that dogs can get in them
• Provide the puppy with enough room to move about safely, but in an enclosed area when not supervised.
• Take into consideration dog-proof carpets
Bringing a new bulldog puppy home is scary and exciting. Remember puppies are full of energy and are just starting their learning journey. Be patient with your new puppy and don’t get frustrated when he/she doesn’t obey you – it just takes some time and training! After all, you are going to start a new adventure with a new furry friend so let it be an interesting and enjoyable one!
