When Igor’s Norwegian family went on vacation, they didn’t want to stick him in some bare kennel.

That’s when Igor’s dad busted out the tools and went to work making a close replicate of his living room in his actual home!

That’s some serious Bulldog love.  Gotta give this Bully dad some props for going to the next level of Bulldog daddyship.

Good job Bully Dad!  Here – have some treats!

 

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This is Lily.  Lily the Bulldog started out in a not so good environment.

She was the runt of the litter.  She was bossed around, teased, and abandoned.

That is until her current Bully Mom rescued her from the trashcan she was living in as a 5-month old puppy.  The trauma of Lily’s experience of living in that trashcan stuck with her though – and as a result she is very cautious and nervous around people.

But her mom found the solution – a turtle suit.  That’s right, a turtle suit!

See, once the turtle suit goes on, Lily is a whole new Bulldog.  Fearless and brave – Lily channels her inner Ninja-turle.

I can just hear her cries of “Cowabunga Dude!” from here.

It’s amazing that a Bulldog can find an alter ego in a turtle costume.  But hey, whatever comforts this sweet girl works for us!

 

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Raff at the Bullies! – August Edition

They never fail to put a smile on our face.

Here they are:

#5

These puppies looking confused in concert.

Image via E-online

#4

This ball of sass.  Typical.

Image via Tumblr

#3

This guy, completely and utterly passed out. That’s a party foul bro.

Image via Buzz-tendance

#2

This Frenchie, aligning her inner Chi.

Image via Sanitaryum

#1

This Bully, trying to shed some LB’s

Image via Gifhost

We raffed quite a bit.  Bulldogs – they are just so ruvable.

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And if you raffed even a little bit… Share with others! Spread the Bully joy!

I’m absolutely in love with all power chewing dogs – and really all dogs!

But there are a few habits that are unique to power chewers that drive us crazy sometimes.

I have a closet monster of my own.  And he likes to chew my most important stuff (usually my high heels, that little turd).

In the beginning, we thought that he was just exploring things because he would put everything in his mouth, but now we know that this is his thing. He is 15 months old and he still chews on just about everything…

After nearly 10 pairs of shoes destroyed, including our guests’ shoes, it was getting old fast!

Dogs are so smart and they can learn anything, they just need a little teaching!

So Here’s the Tip

I put some objects on the floor to make a quick learning game for him.

I started with a toy that called ‘BUNNY.’ I also used the word ‘BONE,’ and using these words I rewarded Dex every time he picked up the right object with a nice treat. This was the starting point.

I then added other toys – and later on some shoes, but this time saying ‘No, Leave it’ whenever he went for the shoe.

I rewarded him if he responded to the command by staying away from the shoe with some treats as well.

The positive reinforcement of rewarding him when he followed my commands allowed him to quickly learn what is okay to chew and what is not okay.

Easy right? so now you go try if you have the same problem and report back.

 

 

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First, let us state that we aren’t veterinarians, always consult with your vet if you have questions.  But these will help you!

We all hope that we never have to deal with a life threatening situation.  But if it were to happen, would you know what do?

Here are 4 tips that could help save your Bulldog’s life.

Feature Image Source

 

1. Know your emergency contact

You never know what is going to happen.

Just the other day I saw my Bulldog smackin’ on a AA-battery that came out of an Xbox controller.

Luckily, he didn’t get into any of the toxins contained inside or even worse – he could have swallowed the whole dang thing.

But if he were to swallow that battery, I would have been prepared.

I know the number and the name of our emergency veterinarian. I know where it is located and how to get there.

As of today I’ve been there twice.  He just can’t help but get into things he shouldn’t!

Honestly, if I wasn’t able to react quickly to his situations, he may not be here anymore.

 

2. Know the signs of overheating and know how to respond

If you didn’t already know, Bulldogs are notoriously bad at cooling themselves down due to their short muzzle and physique.

Bulldogs are a Brachycephalic breed, and breeds of this nature cannot cool down effectively.

Brachycephalic breeds include French, English, American, and Olde English Bulldogs – along with Pugs and Boston Terriers.

Some signs of overheating are heavy panting to the point of heaving, discolored tongue, possible foaming from the mouth, and exhaustion.

Read about overheating and how to prevent it/correct it here.

In a nutshell, cool your dog down (more tips about that in the link), and have some lemon juice handy in case they start choking on their own saliva.  Lemon juice will break down the saliva.

See the comments below for our user’s experiences with lemon juice!

 

3. Know how to apply chest compressions

Freak events do happen, but if it does, knowing how to apply chest compressions to your Bulldog could be life saving.

Events that would require such a maneuver would be sudden unconsciousness and non-response.

Check out this video where this dog’s life is saved by a dog trainer applying CPR – truly incredible (and terrifying):

 

4. Know how to dislodge an object from your bully’s throat

Image Source Unknown

 

Okay, if your Bulldogs are anything like mine then you know they can chew on anything and everything.

Like I said above, I caught little Dexter the other day delightfully snacking on a battery.

Had it been caught in his throat, there would have been things I could have done to dislodge the battery.

Option 1 is to grab your Bully by his hind legs when he is on all fours.  Then lift his/her hind legs up and tilt them forward to make your pooch do a handstand.  This method uses gravity to dislodge the object.

Some people have also had success simply sticking their hands in their bulldogs throat and removing the item.  Try the first method initially.

The second method is more dangerous but if nothing is working, it is certainly better than letting your dog choke.

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Bulldog Aggression

Bulldog aggression and dominance is something that comes instinctually to the breed, but the majority of it has been bred out over time.  Dominance was the name of the game when they were originally bred, as herding and baiting was their main purpose.

This breed tends to assert dominance over other doggies in particular – and sometimes even their humans.

This sort of behavior mostly occurs in younger puppies, but it can certainly happen with older ones as well.  When it occurs in younger ones, please realize that this is natural.

Puppies have a tendency to put literally anything and everything into their mouth.  That’s how they learn, that’s how they see the world – they taste, nibble, and bite things they probably shouldn’t.  This is particularly true during the teething period.

Getting frustrated and upset is a natural way to react to this sort or behavior.  But it isn’t necessarily the best way, and retaliating against your pooch could enhance the issue.  This is because he or she will learn to defend themselves if you attempt to administer physical punishment.  Some days, you may be feeling like this dude:

So let’s take a look at how we can apply training to help taper the issue:

• Exercise: I’m a huge advocate of exercise for dogs.  It has so many benefits that will help him or her live a happy, enriched life.  Exercise will tire him or her out and keep their aggression at bay. Sometimes, however, exercise in and of itself will not be the solution to all your problems.  Aggression can still continue, but it aids in helping your fur-baby ridding themselves of any excess energy they may have.

• Toys: Make sure you have good toys ready.  When your furry-one is getting too aggressive, it’s time to bust out his or her favorite toy.  Keep in mind you can’t be using the same toy over and over.  They will get bored of toys that they have already destroyed and/or chewed.  You can also use these 5 awesome activities to help keep them calm.

• Assert yourself As the Pack Leader: You do this by giving him rules and boundaries.  If you don’t give your them any rules, they will begin to think that they are the pack leader and this kind of thinking will lead to aggression towards other animals as they want to protect you. It is a natural instinct for them to be aggressive towards other animals and protect their pack if you have not asserted yourself and the calm-mannered leader.  Make sure your dog knows his “place” in the pack, and aggression towards other dogs will taper off.

• Reward Good Behavior:  When playing with your Bully, if he or she is playing nicely make sure you give them plenty of love and praise.  Reward correct behavior when they bite the right things (such as their toy). Do so by rewarding a treat!

• Downplay Bad Behavior: When your pooch tries to nip or bite your hand, make sure you yell “ouch!” and back your hands away and stop playing.  Eventually, he or she will learn that biting your hand hurts, and that skin is sensitive. It’s important that you stop playing with him or her  for about 10 minutes if they are constantly going after your hands in a rough fashion.  They will quickly learn this kind of play is not tolerated.

• Be Stern: It’s tough sometimes to be stern with our furry loved ones.  But if you don’t, they might not trust that you are the pack leader or the dominant one.  If he or she is biting, nipping, or doing some sort of unacceptable behavior, give a firm “No” as soon as you see it happen.  But you must catch them in the act and say “No.”  Saying “No” anytime after the fact will just confuse your boy/girl about what you are unhappy with.  Either do it immediately, or ignore it.

Personally, when my little ones get rowdy with me.  I stand up, say “No,” and I put their butt outside for 10 minutes.  When they come in, they know what they have done.  And I shower them with love when they behave properly! My little ones are well behaved using these techniques, as you can see below:

 

I have employed these techniques and seen wonderful success.  Keep in mind, your pooch isn’t going to be perfect day in and out.  They will have their missteps, times where they are being growly, barky, and mischievous, but that’s part of the growing pains of being a good doggy parent.

Hopefully, this article will be useful for all of you trying to decrease aggression. Implement these steps everyday and you will see things improve.

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Blue Bulldogs

Blue Bulldogs are a unique alteration to the standard English Bulldog. They usually have a blue-grey coat and can sometimes even have blue eyes. Blue eyed Bulldogs are certainly different from the brown-eyed standard.

 Image source
Feature Image

As I’m sure you all know, the standard for Bulldogs is not Blue eyes.  It’s actually a dark brown/black.  However, the AKC doesn’t mention  a standard eye color for Bulldogs.  So, officially, a Blue-eyed Bulldog could compete within showings.

It is my opinion that breeders should strive to obtain the breed standard in order to achieve the most prototypical and healthy Bulldogs as possible.  In this case, I believe it is important to try to obtain the brown/black eye standard.

Blue Eyes, however, are the result of a recessive genetic being obtained by the Bulldog, and not even the best breeder in the world could stop that.  It’s very difficult if not impossible to tell what recessive genes the male and female carry.  Therefore, it is not the fault of the breeder if Blue eyes are somehow achieved (in most cases).

There are other breeders, however, that specifically try and breed blue-eyed bulldogs and charge a premium price for them.

So what kind of premium are you paying for this exactly? I have seen upwards of $10,000 being charged for this rare Bully.  Is it worth it?  To me, no.

But not all people are the same.  Maybe you would like to pay $10K for a Bulldog with blue eyes.  That, of course, is your complete prerogative!

The bottom line is that these Bulldogs do exist and are extremely rare, and because of this rarity you will pay a premium for one.  If you find one, be absolutely certain it is purebred English of French Bulldog and make sure you obtain AKC documentation before purchase and affirm that the breeder is responsible and knowledgeable.

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5 Great Activities for Your Bulldog

It seems to me like it is widely assumed that Bulldogs are naturally lethargic animals and don’t need to be involved with any activities.

Well, this really couldn’t be further from the truth!  Bulldogs need stimulation in the form of activities whether it is mental or physical.  Incorporating these 5 activities into your daily routine can enrich your Bulldog’s life and give him/her some added joy.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at these 5 great activities:

 

1. Hide and Seek: Believe it or not, hide and seek is a great way to exercise your Bulldog physically and mentally.  You can hide around trees or in your backyard, or anywhere you see fit.  Naturally, most Bulldogs like to follow and seek their humans.  This can get your Bulldog running around in the backyard and help challenge their mind while they try and find you.
2. Fetch: A classic, playing fetch with your Bully is a great physical activity. Dogs have a natural instinct to hunt or herd, and Bulldogs are no different.  Bulldogs were originally bred to herd Bulls!  Hence the name.  Fetch can get them up and moving and give them an instinctual task.
3. New Toys: Just like humans, dogs get bored of toys.  They may “figure it out” or chew a toy to death, and after that they simply get bored.  Incorporating fresh new toys is a great way to stimulate your Bully mentally.  Using a food puzzle toy is also a great way to keep your Bulldog busy.  These kind of toys trap treats in them, and your Bulldog must figure out how to get them out!
4. Tug-Of-War: A Bulldog favorite, playing tug of war is an excellent way to get some physical activity in for your Bully.  If your pup is anything like mine, he could play tug-of-war for days.  Just try to keep it indoors on hot days to avoid any kind of overheating issues.
   
   
5. Walk to New Places: Discovering new places is a great experience for your Bulldog and will keep them happy.  Bulldogs are eager to learn, and one way you can help them learn is by allowing them to visit new places!  It helps them mature and understand their surroundings.  Take your dog out for a walk and let him explore a little bit! Don’t forget to use a Bullymake harness for this one!

So there you have it!  5 easy activities you can do every day with your Bully to keep him/her happy.  Enrich your Bulldog’s life with these easy to do tips!

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Bulldog Exercise

Bulldogs and exercise are not expected to be synonymous terms.

But maybe they should be.

The thing is, Bulldogs SHOULD exercise.  It has substantial benefits that can help your bully with their health – and even increase their span of life.

There isn’t a singular statistic that shows the life expectancy of  Bulldogs that exercise vs. ones that don’t (trust me, I searched high and low for that one)   But, there is overwhelming evidence of issues that can be avoided by simply exercising your Bully.

We’ll get into the particular exercises you can perform later, but for now, here are some symptoms that you can avoid by exercising your Bulldog, and are commonly seen in many Bulldogs:

-Obesity & Obesity Related Issues

-Heart Disease

-Hip Dysplasia

-Breathing Problems

-Digestive Problems

-Constipation

Texas A&M University even proclaimed that exercise can even help your Bulldog with:

-Improved Bone Health

-Improved Organ Function

-Improved Brain Function

 Additional physical benefits include:

-Higher Strength

-Improved Dexterity

-Overall Improved Health

-Improved Sleep

But exercise for Bulldogs doesn’t just stop at physical aspects.  There are several mental benefits as well that Bulldog owners may not initially be thinking about.  The ASPCA also claims that exercising your Bulldog may limit some issues commonly seen in any dog breed:

-Unruliness

-Hyperactivity

-Play biting

-Barking & Whining

-Predatory Behavior

-Excessive Sexual Urges

-Depression

-Chewing

Exercise for your Bulldog will keep him or her confident, more independent, and less scared when you are not around.  It keeps them feeling more secure in general which leads to a happier pup!

So now that we know about the benefits, let’s take a look at good activities and exercises you can perform with your Bully, and for how long.

Notice, these are all LIGHT exercises. We know that Bulldogs are a Brachycephalic breed, so they tend to become overheated easily.

These exercises will keep it light on your Bully:

–Walking: This is an obvious exercise but it is perfect to get your Bulldog up and moving. There are many Bulldogs that get tired out just walking, which will lead to increase cases of hip dysplasia and other health issues.   Make sure to use a Bullymake Harness for this one!

–Exercise with a ball: Check out this video of a bulldog on a ball.  It may be cute, but it does exercise them! Some Bulldogs love to run around and chase balls, and push it with their nose!  This can be a great workout.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdj9cViOEuc

–Fetch: Some bulldog even love to play fetch when they are younger (and sometimes older), and it can help tire them out.

–Meet with other Dogs:  Bulldogs love to wrestle, especially at younger ages.  Socializing with other dogs helps them stimulate their mind and body.  It also teaches your  Bully correct social skills.

There is no rule of thumb for the longevity of each exercise, but remember to keep an eye on your Bulldog and watch for signs of overheating or breathing problems.

If your Bulldog is already overweight,  you’ll need to slowly work them back into an exercise routine.

Start with very brief walks (5 minutes or so) and work your way up with increments of a few minutes each week.  This will help build their strength and stamina.  Very similar to how you would train a human being.

So get up, and go take your Bully for a walk!  it will benefit their mind, body, and soul (and might benefit you too)!  And always remember: don’t work them too hard!

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All About the Bulldog Harness

We all know that having a bulldog is a major investment.  This is why it is extremely important to know why you need to own a harness, and for what purposes.

Let’s take a quick look all about the harness.

About

The harness is a piece of equipment that has several purposes for your dog, and has multiple designs and uses.

A harness should be worn in conjunction with a collar.  The collar and harness have separate purposes, and a responsible owner would own both a harness AND a collar.

For Bulldogs, a harness can be used for walking and training purposes.  In fact, you should only use a harness when walking your Bulldog unless it is going to be a very brief walk – (for bathroom use, or something similar in length of time).

Read more about choosing the right collar for your Bully.

Knowing the difference between when to use a collar and when to use a harness is very important for the overall health of your Bulldog.

Bulldogs are 60 pounds of muscle, and allowing them to put all that power on their neck is a mistake that could be deadly for your Bully.

Applying the Harness

A harness is a device that circles around the belly and chest of your Bulldog.  This completely avoids your pup’s neck area.

To apply a Bullymake harness, make sure to first open the nickel buckle for easier placement.  Place the Bulldog’s head through the front end circle, and then make sure your bulldog steps over the bottom center strap with both legs.  Then, reclose the nickel buckle and you are ready to go!

Why a Harness?

Bulldog’s are a brachycephalic breed which means they have a short, compact muzzle and flat face.  There are a multitude of issues which these kinds of breeds have to deal with, including overheating.

The reason they overheat is because they have difficulty panting, or breathing.

For this reason, collars are not a good idea to continuously walk your Bully on.  You further restrict their breathing and also enhance the risk of tracheal collapse.

Let’s keep your fur-baby safe.  Make sure you use a harness when walking!

What is the Best Material?

We firmly believe that leather is the best material for a Bulldog.  Leather is softer AND stronger than Nylon, which will give you the added benefit of longevity in the product and also give your Bully more comfort.

Nylon will cut into your Bully and isn’t padded.  Our leather harnesses are padded which will decrease tension and cutting into your Bulldog’s skin, fur, and muscle.

Bonus Tip: My Bulldog is Such a Puller, What do I do?

If you aren’t strong enough to handle your Bulldog, you can use techniques to keep your Bulldog in check.

Bulldog’s are natural followers, and most will follow you if you simply let them go and walk away.  Sometimes, pulling is not the answer.

Take a quick look at this video where the Bulldog follows the owner!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdm0nadKldY

See, pulling isn’t always best!

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