Best Grooming Brush for Bulldogs Plus 9 Grooming Essentials!

As a bulldog owner, it is your responsibility to properly care for your pet, which includes grooming. Grooming up-keeps general hygiene, can prevent illness, and even potential injury. I can not stress enough that regularly grooming your bulldog can and will prevent illness. Good grooming habits is the basis for a healthy, happy bulldog. Another great benefit of grooming include quality time spent with your bully. This is great one on one time where full attention is given to its needs. This is also a great opportunity for you to become familiar with your bulldogs overall health as you tend to your pup on a frequent basis.

But with all grooming, you need the right tools. So what is the Best Grooming Brush for Bulldogs? Depending on the needs of the bulldog, there are several great brushes to choose from. When researching, take into consideration these necessary features:

• Easily removes loose hair
• Keeps the coat shiny
• Durable

Brushes

Despite bulldogs tend to have a short coat, they can use a variety of brushes depending on their coat type and the time of year…i.e. shedding periods. Brushes that work well with bulldog breeds are:

• Bristle Brush: I recommend getting a plastic bristle brush for your bulldog. This helps keep your bulldog puppy’s coat shiny. A double-sided bristle/pin brush has a nice bristle, although you will find you won’t use the pin side often.
• FURminator: I love these since they remove so much hair from dogs…even short haired bulldog breeds. They do have FURminator brushes for shorter coats so be care to only choose the one for short hair.
• Shedding Blades: If you don’t want to use the FURminator, then pick up a shedding blade. It is similar to shedding blades for horses and has small teeth on the comb side. When you run it over a short coat, it will pull out any loose hair.
• Slicker Brush: This is another brush that removes dead hair and is suitable for short haired breeds as well as every other dog breed.

If you are looking for the bare minimum for dog brushes, I would recommend that you have a shedding brush: either the shedding blade or a FURminator and a bristle brush to make your bulldog puppy’s coat shiny.

Other Bulldog Grooming Essentials

Once you have the right brush selected for your bulldog, it is equally important to take care of its other grooming needs. I recommend the following grooming items for any bulldog:

• Nail Clippers and Files
• Styptic Powder
• Tooth Care Kit
• Vaseline
• Dog Wipes
• Eye Wash
• Cotton Balls
• Dog Shampoo
• Ear Cleaners

To know what to look for when selecting grooming items and how to use these items, read the following guidance. In addition, I have listed personal recommendations of Amazon products that have been both tried and tested.

Nail Clippers and Files

Nails are very important and should be clipped several times a month depending on how quickly your dog’s nails grow. When you are choosing a nail clipper there are actually three types of nail clippers you can choose. Everyone has their preference and even some dogs do as well. Regardless of the type you choose, make sure they are durable and high quality.

• Guillotine Nail Clippers: Just how they sound, a guillotine nail clipper has a looped end where you slide your dog’s nail into it. When you squeeze the handle, a blade pushes through the nail like a guillotine, clipping it short. This type of clipper is better for thinner nails or small to medium breeds. Bulldogs usually have thicker nails, so these may not be the best option for your puppy.
• Scissor Nail Clippers: Again, they look very similar to scissors or pliers. Like the guillotine, you place the nail between the blades and squeeze the handles together. The blades come together and clip the nail. These nails are better for most bulldog and large breeds since the scissors offer better force when snipping thick nails.
• Grinding Nail Clippers: I prefer grinding nail clippers and own a Dremel tool that I use. They smooth out the nail while grinding it down and if you hit the quick, it will cauterize it, so you won’t need styptic power to stop the bleeding. There are many pet Dremel on the market and the one I would recommend is the Dremel 7300-PGK Pet Grooming kit. 

If you are using guillotine or scissor nail clippers, be sure to purchase nail files as these cutters leave sharp edges when cutting. Simply smooth out the edges after cutting.

Styptic Powder

If you are using a Dremel, you don’t need styptic powder, however, any other type of nail clipper can lead to the quick being cut if you are not being careful. Once cut, the quick will bleed for quite a while so dipping it in styptic powder, or using a styptic pencil, will stop the bleeding instantly.

Tooth Care Kit

Many bulldog breeds suffer from tooth problems, so it is recommended that you get your bulldog puppy used to teeth brushing as soon as they come home. Therefore, before you bring your bulldog puppy home, invest in a good quality toothbrush for him. In addition, make sure you have canine friendly toothpaste found. Human toothpastes can make dogs sick so avoid using any of them.

Vaseline

A strange little item to put in your grooming supplies, Vaseline is excellent for keeping footpads looking their best and for making little bulldog puppy noses nice and shiny. I recommend using year-round, but it is a must have for dry winter months.

Dog Wipes

Since bulldog puppies are known for having lots of wrinkles, it may come as no surprise that you need to wipe them clean on a daily basis. This will help keep your bulldog puppy healthy and will prevent dirt and debris from causing yeast infections in the folds of skin. Make a habit of using dog wipes on your bulldog puppies wrinkles every day.

Eye Wash

While I wouldn’t recommend washing or rinsing your bulldog puppy’s eyes on a regular basis, unless your veterinarian prescribes drops, I do recommend having an eye wash handy. Since bulldogs tend to have large eyes, they can be prone to dirt and debris getting into them. When this happens, having an eye wash handy could mean the difference between having to go to the vet for a serious eye injury or not.

Cotton Balls

I use cotton balls to wipe eyes and ears clean but I also use them in the ears during a bath. Place a few cotton balls in the ears and it will help keep water out of them when you are bathing your bulldog puppy.

Dog Shampoo

Which brings us to bathing. I don’t use medicated shampoos for fleas or ticks since I use treatments recommended by my veterinarian. Instead, I like to choose shampoos that are gentle on the skin and won’t cause eye irritation if it gets into my bulldog puppy’s eyes.

Don’t use shampoos for people. Instead, choose one specially formulated for dogs such as this colloidal oatmeal dog shampoo on Amazon.

Ear Cleaners

The final item I would recommend for your grooming supplies is an ear cleaner. This can be used weekly or as needed whenever you see extra dirt or debris in your bulldog puppy’s ears. Some bulldog puppy’s will require more ear care than others and the shape of your dog’s ears will determine it.

What Do I Need for a Bulldog Puppy?

So, you have a new puppy! Or maybe you are getting ready to add one to your new home. Regardless of where you are in your bulldog puppy adoption journey, there are a few things that you really need to consider. From where your bulldog puppy is coming from to the very important one of what do I need for a bulldog puppy. So let’s answer it.

What do I need for a bulldog puppy? What you need really depends on what you want for your puppy. Supplies can consist of the bare bones for your bulldog puppy or it can be the lavish shopping list of a spoiled pup. The bare basics would be a leash, collar, bowls, crate and a bed.

Basic Bulldog Puppy Supplies	Average Cost
Leash	$14
Collar	$10 – $14
Bowl	$9 – $14
Crate	$15 – $40
Bed	$20

Of course, we want more than the basics and there are a number of must have items that any new bulldog puppy owner should get. From the proper treats to the proper training materials, we have you covered, not only by giving you a complete supply list for your bulldog puppy, but also highlighting some of our favorite items that we’ve purchased for our own spoiled pups.

This article contains Amazon Affiliate Links. I will receive a small commission if you choose to purchase an item.

What Does My Bulldog Puppy Need for Safety?

The main focus of a puppy supply list is always on safety. After all, when we bring our bulldog puppy home, we want to make sure that he is happy and safe and that starts with making sure we have all the essentials in place before he gets home. If you haven’t, be sure to puppy proof your home so he can’t chew anything that will hurt him.

Once your done puppy proofing, you can grab the essentials that will keep him safe.

Collar

With a young puppy, I always recommend a flat collar. They are great to place his identification on and he can learn to walk on the leash. As he gets older, he can learn how to walk with a harness, which is great for most bulldog breeds.

One thing I always recommend is to keep him collarless while he is alone in the house. Collars can get caught on things easily and severely injure your bulldog puppy. However, if you want to keep a collar on him all the time, use a breakaway collar so if he does catch it on something, it won’t cause serious injury.

Leash

Obviously, we want to have a nice leash for our bulldog puppy, there are a ton out there and you can pick and choose to match your bulldog puppy’s personality. What I would recommend when picking the leash is that it feels comfortable in your hand and that you choose a leash that is about 6 feet in length.

For training, also grab a 20-foot lead. This should only be used for teaching come and long-distance stay, not for walking.

Never use a retractable leash as they have been linked to a large number of injuries to both dogs and people and it is very difficult to control your pet on one.

Identification Tag

The final item in the list when it comes to collars and accessories is an identification tag. Choose one that can be personalized with all of your information. Another option is to choose a GPS tracker identification tag. That way, if your bulldog puppy escapes the yard, you can track his path on your phone.

Crate

Whether you will be training your bulldog puppy to lounge on the sofa while you are at work or not, you should crate train him. Crate training has a lot of benefits when it comes to house training and it keeps him safe during the day. In addition, you never know what the future will hold, and your bulldog may need to be crated at a vet’s office or for travel, which means if you crate train him while he’s young, you won’t have to worry about it stressing him as an adult.

When you are choosing a crate, you want to take a few things into consideration:

• Your Dog: Think about the size of your bulldog puppy and how big he will be as an adult. Choose a crate with dividers for the adult size. This is the best way to save money as your crate will grow with your puppy instead of having to purchase a new one every few months.
• Material: There are three types of crates, for the most part. One is a soft sided kennel made from fabric. I do not recommend these crates since they can be chewed very easily, and most bulldogs are chewers. The second is a plastic crate. These are usually used for travel as they are hard topped. I don’t recommend them for bulldog puppies. First, they can be very difficult to clean if there is an accident. Second, some dogs find the plastic crates too closed and may panic. Three, I have had bulldogs chew through plastic crates within 20 minutes. Finally, metal crates with bars is the best crate for bulldogs. They may chew the plastic bottom, but that is easy to replace, and your bulldog puppy can look out, which can help him stay calm.
• Size: Finally, you want to consider size a bit more and look for a crate where a full-grown bulldog can stand, sit and lay down easily.

With crates, you don’t have to spend a ton of money. They are all well made but make sure you check user reviews, so you know that your dog will be safe while you are away.

Baby Gates

I always recommend baby gates for several reasons. First, you can keep your bulldog puppy in a small area when they are young. As they grow more confident with their new home, you can expand it slowly by opening up the gates. Second, they are excellent for safety. You can keep the tops and bottoms of stairs blocked so your bulldog puppy doesn’t fall down them and get severely injured. Finally, they are great for time outs if you don’t want to use a crate for that. You can place him in a bathroom or kitchen with a baby gate in the doorway. Your puppy will be able to see out while on a time out, which will help him feel safe.

Surveillance

This is not a must have but with web and security cameras out there, it can be nice to have a surveillance system, so you can check in on your bulldog puppy throughout the day. There are many pet cams that also allow you to talk to your puppy or toss them a treat. Have some fun with it and pick one up so that you can bond with your bulldog puppy whether you are home or not.

What Does My Bulldog Puppy Need for Feeding?

Feeding supplies can be as extravagant or basic as you want. There isn’t a lot that you need to get, however, there are a few training essentials that are important for your bulldog puppy to have.

Food and Water Bowls

First is the food and water bowls. With a feeding bowl, it really is up to preference. Studies have indicated that raised dishes are better to prevent bloat, however, other studies have said that raised bowls can increase the risk. Since we just don’t know, go with your gut.

With bowls, have them grow with your bulldog puppy. You want him to be able to stand comfortably and access the bowl. If he is reaching and choking on the edges, then the bowl is too large for him and you should choose a new one.

Also, when you choose a bowl, use stainless steel as they are durable and very easy to keep clean.

One thing with bowls that I would recommend is to choose a puzzle feeder if you find your bulldog puppy is a fast eater. This will help keep him from bloating himself (Can Bulldogs Get Bloat?) and it can be fun to watch your bulldog eat his food from a puzzle feeder.

Food Mat

I recommend this simply because bulldogs have jowls, also known as flews. And boy can these flews really hold in food and water. The food mat will keep the house a bit cleaner after your bulldog puppy takes a drink or chews on his dinner.

Dog Treats and Training Treats

I separate dog treats and training treats for two reasons. One: dog treats are offered as a treat or a reward. They can be given to break boredom or simply to give him something to eat. Two: training treats are only brought out when your bulldog puppy is working. This means that he will be eager to listen…well…as much as a bulldog puppy will listen when you bring the training treat out.

Dog treats can be anything from bone cookies to chicken feet.

Training treats should be soft, easy to break into smaller pieces and should smell really good for your bulldog. While you won’t be launching right into training as soon as your bulldog puppy comes home, it is good to have them purchased before he comes home.

Fun, Must Have, Toys for Your Bulldog Puppy

When we are busy buying things for our bulldog puppies, it is important to not forget the toys for your puppies. Obviously, you will continue to purchase toys as your bulldog puppy grows but I recommend you have 3 to 5 toys waiting for your bulldog puppy when he first arrives home. There are a few different areas that you need to look at for toys, including:

Chew Toys

Chew toys are durable toys that your bulldog puppy can chew while he is bored. Remember that bulldogs tend to be hard chewers, which means that he will chew through them quickly and you really need to purchase some tough toys. In addition, you will find that your bulldog puppy will chew more while he is chewing so always update his chew toys as he grows.

In addition, keep track of their condition. If they start to crack or break apart, throw them away to prevent any choking hazards.

Some of the best chew toys for young bulldog puppies are:

• Nylabone Small Puppy Teethe and Tug Toy: Perfect for teething puppies, this toy soothes painful gums and is great for a game or two with your bulldog puppy.
• Pelay Toy Ball: Durable, strong and a puzzle ball, this chew toy can have treats thrown in to reward your chewing puppy when he chews the right things.
• Goughnuts MAXX 50 Ring: This toy is definitely made for hard chewers and your bulldog puppy will love chewing on it for hours. I always buy these for my pups and they love them.

Puzzle Toys

Puzzle toys can be chewing toys but they’re primary use is to help keep your bulldog puppy entertained. They present a problem and your puppy will need to solve it before he can be rewarded with a toy, treat or other reward. They can be a lot of fun to watch your bulldog puppy to do but many of them can be left with your bulldog puppy when you aren’t able to entertain him.

Three puzzle toys I’d recommend are:

• Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel: I would only recommend this toy if you are supervising and rewarding as your bulldog puppy plays. It is a soft puzzle toy, so they can be destroyed easily if used for a chew toy.
• West Paw Tux Stuffable Tough Treat Toy: Easy to clean, durable and it floats, this puzzle treat toy will stand up to hard chewers and will reward your bulldog puppy when he gets the treats out of it.
• Omega Paw Tricky Treat Ball: This is another durable puzzle ball that is great for chewing and figuring out. You place treats in the ball and your bulldog puppy will have to push, rotate and work out how to get the treat from it.

Soft Toys

With soft toys, I would limit the number of them and make sure they are stuffed toys made for pets. Many bulldog puppies are hard chewers and they can rip apart soft toys quickly. When you give soft toys, make sure you monitor your bulldog puppy while he is using it, so you can take it away as soon as he breaks it open.

Although you may think that it is better to not use soft toys, they can be quite soothing for gums while your bulldog puppy is teething, which is why I recommend keeping a few on hand. Some of the better soft toys for bulldog puppies are:

• ZippyPaws – Loopy Hedgehog: Looking more like a baby toy than a dog toy, it is a popular toy for most puppies. It feels great on teething gums and has crinkling sounds that can excite your bulldog puppy.
• Tuffy Mega Boomerang: This is a soft toy that is made with strong fabric. It holds up very well to bulldog puppies and is proof that soft toys don’t have to be weak.
• No Stuffing Dog Toys: These dog toys are perfect for your new chewer. While you need to be careful of the squeaker coming loose, they have no stuffing that your bulldog puppy could eat.

Fetching Toys

Finally, I recommend that you get a few fetching for your bulldog puppy. These are the toys that you don’t leave down for your bulldog puppy to chew on his own. Instead, only pull these toys out as a reward for him and for those play periods. If he doesn’t have access to them constantly, he will get excited when you bring them down and will see them as a bonding toy as well as a play toy.

Some great fetching toys are:

• KONG Puppy Flyer: A small frisbee, this is a great toy to get a young puppy playing fetch…or chase if he decides not to bring it back.
• West Paw Tizzi: This toy is great as it is durable and dishwasher safe for cleaning. And it bounces around when you chuck it, so your bulldog puppy will be extra excited playing with it.
• KONG Air Dog Fetch Stick with Rope: It is easy to toss, squeaks and even has a rope for tug of war…what’s not to like about this toy and I’m sure your bulldog puppy will love it.

Grooming Essentials for Your Bulldog Puppy

While we’ve talked about all the other areas, we shouldn’t miss grooming supplies. After all, grooming is very important and will keep your bulldog puppy nice and healthy. With grooming supplies, I don’t really think there are any optional items. Grooming is integral for several reasons, including:

• Bonding: Grooming your bulldog puppy allows you to bond with him. He learns to accept being touched and that your touch is positive. This builds trust and it can be quite relaxing sitting and simply grooming your puppy.
• Socialization: I’ve already hinted at it, but grooming provides ample opportunity for socialization. When you are grooming, your bulldog puppy is having his paws, mouth, face, ears and tail being touched. He will become socialized to this handling and will be better off for it.
• Health: Grooming keeps your bulldog puppy healthy, but it also gives you a chance to check him over and catch health problems quickly. When grooming, always look for unusual bumps, skin rashes or lumps.

Now that we know how important grooming is, let’s get down to the essential grooming supplies you’ll need for your bulldog puppy.

• Brushes
• Nail Clippers and Files
• Styptic Powder
• Tooth Care Kit
• Vaseline
• Dog Wipes
• Eye Wash
• Cotton Balls
• Dog Shampoo
• Ear Cleaners

Each of these items play a significant role to your bulldog puppy’s needs. Regular grooming is essential for preventative care and supports the overall health for your pup. This article, Best Grooming Brush for Bulldogs Plus 9 Grooming Essentials!, was created to provide guidance on what to look for in grooming supplies and personal recommendations.

What Does My Bulldog Puppy Need for his Bedroom?

When it comes to the bedroom, some people don’t really think of the many things you could need. Of course, a bulldog puppy needs to have some great items in his bedroom and it isn’t just about the crate, which we covered already.

Also, what your puppy needs in his bedroom really depends on how where his bedroom is going to be. If it will be in bed beside you, then you aren’t going to need much. However, if he has a room all to himself, then you are going to want a few extra items, which we will go over.

Dog Bed

I recommend that you have multiple dog beds around the house, but it really depends on your home and where your bulldog puppy is going to be. If he is sleeping in your bedroom, you should have at least two dog beds: one in the living/family room and the other in your bedroom. Other great places for dog beds include home offices, dining room and kids’ bedrooms. It may seem strange having multiple but lugging a bed around can become a hassle.

While it may seem like an easy job picking a dog bed, you want to make sure that you are picking the right one for your bulldog puppy from the start. Look for four things while choosing a bed:

1. Size: You want a bed that will fit your bulldog puppy as he grows up. Don’t think of full adult size since you want him to feel comfortable, safe and secure in his bed. In addition, he will probably go through several beds before he reaches adulthood.
2. Durability: Bulldog puppies love to chew so get a durable bulldog bed that can withstand some hard chewing.
3. Shape: You may not take this into consideration with the first bed but as you get to know your bulldog puppy, you will want to consider shape. Oval and round beds are perfect for dogs who love to curl up. Square and rectangle offer the best comfort for bulldog puppies who love to stretch out.
4. Maintenance: How easy will it be to clean? Some bulldog puppies can have accidents on their beds so make sure you can break it down and clean it easily.

When your bulldog is young, it is all about comfort and being able to keep it clean. However, as your dog gets older, you want to choose a bed that takes his orthopedic health into mind.

A great bed for younger puppies is the Reversible Rectangle Pet Bed for several reasons. It is excellent for small puppies, it is easy to clean, and it is low cost, which makes it perfect if you need to replace it.

If you are looking for a large pillow instead of a bed, I’d recommend the Majestic Pet’s Dog Bed. Like the first bed, it is machine washable and a great price. It is a pillow, so your bulldog can stretch out on it.

Finally, if you want to go top end with luxury, you can choose the Orvis Memory Foam Bolster Dog Bed. This bed is built like a couch and is perfect for multiple dogs or a bulldog all on his own. It is durable and can be very easy to clean…however, it does have a hefty price tag.

As your bulldog puppy grows, I’d recommend finding an orthopedic dog bed. They provide optimal support and will ensure that your bulldog’s hips and joints are well supported. Some of the top orthopedic dog beds are:

Bedding

While it isn’t always necessary if you have a dog bed, I do like to have dog bedding for my bulldog puppy’s room. This gives them the option of different areas to lay on from the sturdy bed to the soft bedding to the cool floor. When you choose a bedding, make sure that it is durable and easy to clean. In addition, you don’t want it to shed fibers as some bulldog puppies love to suck on bedding.

Bed Stairs/Ramp

Again, this is an optional item and not a must have unless your bulldog puppy is sleeping in the bed with you. Since they can be injured very easily falling from beds, take safety into consideration first. Teach your bulldog puppy to use the stairs every time to ensure he stays happy and healthy.

Soothing Sounds

Bulldog puppies often feel alone and scared when they are in their bedroom…at least for the first few weeks. When you can’t be there, it can be a good option to have soothing sounds playing for your puppy and there are many different cd’s out there to help your puppy stay calm. This will keep him calm and will help him sleep while you are away. It can also be great to use at night, especially during those first few weeks.

Soothing Spray

Finally, every bedroom, or more specifically the bed, can be a very calming place for your bulldog puppy, especially if you use a soothing spray. There are different calming/soothing sprays. Some use pheromones that are very similar to a nursing bulldog and has been very good at soothing a troubled bulldog puppy. Use for about 4 weeks until your puppy gets used to being at home.

How do I take care of my bulldog puppy?

While you may have the supplies for your bulldog puppy, taking care of him will be a bit more involved than simply running out to the store. Thankfully, daily care is quite easy and all you need to do is schedule it. For bulldog puppies, you should feed him 3 times a day. In addition, short exercise and play periods should be done throughout the day. For care, make sure you brush your bulldog puppy’s coat on a daily basis while young, so he gets used to it. Once he is socialized to the brush, it can become a weekly activity. Teeth should be brushed daily and make sure you use a high-quality toothpaste designed for dogs. You should also wipe and dry his wrinkles on a daily basis to prevent yeast infections in the wrinkles.

How often should my bulldog puppy play?

How often your bulldog puppy should play is really dependent upon how old he is. The general rule of thumb is 5 minutes for every month of age times twice a day. This means that a 2-month-old puppy should only have play sessions for 10 minutes at a time twice a day. Walks should be kept short, but you can also play with some awesome toys. In fact, bulldog puppies love toys, but they do need some heavy-duty toys since they have strong jaws. One toy that I strongly recommend for a bulldog puppy is the Grubber Fetch and Tug toys and you can quickly tire your bulldog puppy out, while bonding with him, with a fun game of fetch and tug of war.

Do I need house training supplies for my bulldog puppy?

When it comes to house training supplies, I always believe that all you need is a leash and collar. Personally, I never train a puppy to puppy pads, although that often means a lot of middle of the night forays into the backyard. However, puppy training pads can be a life saver if you have a hard time getting up during the night or you live in an apartment where a yard isn’t easy to access.

In addition to puppy training pads, I’d recommend having a cleaning bucket full of supplies. Paper towel, spot cleaners and odor eliminators are must haves for that cleaning bucket so that messes are cleaned up quickly and easily.

Ten Fun Games

 

In This Chapter

• Playing games that encourage cooperation
• Mixing games and obedience

Puppies learn best through playing. How you play together, especially in those first few months, influences your relationship more than my mere words can convey. This chapter presents ten groovy games for you to play with your puppy. Read them over, try them out, eliminate what doesn’t work, and invent your own.

Remember

The games you play with your pup should encourage cooperation and focus.

Soda Bottle Soccer

Soda Bottle Soccer encourages your puppy to follow you and to fetch.

Players: Any number of people and a puppy of any age.

To play: Get several plastic bottles (with the caps and labels removed). Place a few on the ground or floor. Let your puppy check the bottles out. When she’s comfortable, start kicking. No matter how many bottles are on the playing field, your puppy will want the one you have. Kick it to her only if she’s standing calmly (to discourage confrontational play, avoid challenging your puppy for one bottle). Then go off and play with another and another and another, until you’ve tuckered out your pup.

Rules: Play with your feet, not your hands (it’s soccer, after all). Always kick the bottle your puppy’s not chasing.

The Two-Toy Toss

The Two-Toy Toss helps your puppy focus on what you have, not the other way around. It also reinforces the “Come” and “Give” directions, as well as the grab-’n-show concept found in Chapter Dealing with Daily Hassles.

Players: One puppy and one person. This game is good for pups over 12 weeks. However, younger pups may show interest for a couple of tosses.

To play: Gather two or more toys or balls. Toss one toy, and when your puppy races to get it, cheer her on. As she turns to you, say “Good puppy,” and then produce a different toy and start playing with it. When she wants the toy you have (and she will), make sure she sits politely before you toss it.

Rules: Never chase your pup or wrestle a toy out of her mouth because these actions are puppylike and will encourage confrontational play. You may exchange a toy for a treat by exchanging another toy or popping a treat into your puppy’s mouth.

The Squeak Toy Shuffle

The Squeak Toy Shuffle encourages following skills and can be played inside or out. This game is a great diversion for ankle-happy nippers.

Players: One person with one puppy. This game is good for pups under 12 weeks.

To play: Tie a squeak or rope toy onto a 4-foot leash or line and attach the other end of the line to your shoelace or ankle. Walk around, doing whatever you do. Puppies love to wrestle moving objects: Better the toy than your ankle.

Rules: Don’t move too quickly or snap the object out of your puppy’s mouth. If she starts to tug assertively, either ignore her or remove the toy from your ankle and clip it onto an immovable piece of furniture.

Fishing for Fido

Use Fishing for Fido to provide an outlet for your puppy’s chasing instincts. Because this game can be used to divert your puppy from attacking your legs, it’s great for morning foot traffic and outside runs.

Players: Good for puppies under 12 weeks and their people.

To play: Tie a squeak toy onto a 2- to 5-foot string and attach the other end of the string to a rod (anything can pass for a rod: a stick, an umbrella, and so on). By holding and moving the rod, bounce the toy in front of your puppy.

Rules: Let your pup grab the toy often to keep her interested. Avoid tug of war. If your puppy insists on tugging, look away until she gets bored, and then resume the animation.

Tip

If your puppy insists on tugging, slather the opening of a 1⁄2-gallon jug (cap and label removed) with a creamy spread. Instead of tugging, she will tackle and lick the jug. This tip also works well for the upcoming Extended Rope Toss game.

The Extended Rope Toss

The Extended Rope Toss is a great game for energy release. It also helps to relieve predatory energy (better to chase a bottle in a field than a biker on a busy street).

Players: One person and one puppy of any age.

To play: Tie an empty soda bottle (cap and label removed) or your pup’s favorite toy onto a 20- to 30-foot rope. In a yard or field, swing the object around so that your puppy chases it. If the yard or field has tall grass, use it as cover to hide the object from your puppy’s view — doing so will be much more exciting for her!

The Treat Cup Name Game

The Treat Cup Name Game encourages positive association to the direction “Come” while teaching your puppy name identification (her name and yours!).

Players: Start with two people and eventually add more as your pup masters the game. Any age puppy can play.

To play: Make a treat cup as described in Chapter Using Cool Tools and Groovy Gadgets. Shake the cup until your puppy associates the sound with a reward. Stand 6 feet from a friend and, using the other person’s name (John, for example), tell your puppy to “Find John!” as you point to John. When John hears his name, he shakes the cup and calls out your puppy’s name. When the puppy is at John’s side, John can send her back to you in the same way.

Rules: As your puppy gets better, increase your distance, eventually moving to different rooms and playing outside. Avoid correcting your puppy if she loses interest; limiting game time ensures fun.

Tip

After your puppy catches on to this game, play hide-and-seek. Either alone or with a partner, hide in gradually more concealed spots and call to your puppy as you shake your treat cup. Play this one inside and outside to encourage your puppy’s focus — whether she can see you or not!

Give (Or Drop)

The goal here is to get an automatic “spit out” reaction whenever you say the word “give.” Aside from being a handy playing skill, it has safety features that can’t be argued against. If your puppy has something you value in her mouth or an object that might endanger her, “Give” covers all bases. After you make “Give” less of a demand and more of a direction, your puppy will be eager to share her treasures.

Players: “Give” can be taught from the start, so it’s good for puppies of all ages.

To play: When your puppy is chewing on something (whether appropriate or not), approach her with a treat cup (or just a treat from your pocket) and say “Give” as you put the treat in her mouth. If she’s chewing on a puppy toy, don’t take it away from her. After you say “Give” and offer the treat, go away calmly.

Tip

If your puppy runs off with excitement, you can practice in a small bathroom to keep her confined. Or, leave a leash on her around the house to enable a calm catch.

Warning!

Rules: If your puppy is growling or clamping the object too tightly, call a professional. Aggression is no joke.

Take

If your puppy loves to carry things in her mouth, you have all you need to teach Take.

Players: Practice this game one on one with a puppy who’s at least 14 weeks old.

To play: Start with a toy or ball and go into a small room or hallway. Wave the object in front of your pup, tempting her for a few seconds before instructing “Take.” Cheer when she takes the object, letting her hold onto it for varying amounts of time. Encourage “Give” by using a treat or another toy if necessary.

Rules: Repeat this sequence no more than three to five times. Always quit while you’re ahead.

The Four-Footed Fax

The Four-Footed Fax game encourages interaction and responsibility.

Players: Two people (a sender and a receiver) and a puppy who’s at least 6 months old. Make sure your puppy has mastered the preceding three games.

To play: Ask your friend (John, for example) to stand 10 feet across the room. Encourage your puppy to “Take” a toy or other object (such as a folded newspaper) and send her to John, saying “Take it to John!” Have John kneel down and call to your puppy. When your puppy trots over, John rewards her with a treat.

Tip

If your puppy won’t carry the object all the way, have John stand right next to you and slowly inch back. With encouragement and love, your puppy will become everyone’s favorite fax machine.

Rules: Don’t discipline your puppy if she won’t cooperate. This game takes a lot of concentration.

Wiggle Giggle Freeze

The Wiggle Giggle Freeze game is a fun way to work on a challenging command such as “Sit,” “Wait,” or “Down.”

Players: Several people and, of course, a pooch. Someone who has practiced training with the puppy is chosen to give the directions. The puppy must be older than 12 weeks and must have mastered the direction that’s introduced.

To play: Pick one direction. Have everyone jump around and act goofy. Then suddenly have everyone freeze on cue. The chosen director calls out a direction. Whoever is closest to the puppy can position her calmly and then offer her a food reward or a hug. Resume goofing off. Repeat this sequence no more than five times.

Rules: Don’t repeat your direction. If your puppy doesn’t listen, help her into position before releasing her toy or treat. She’ll catch on soon enough.

Sarah Hodgson

Ten Crowd-Pleasing Tricks

 

In This Chapter

• Using your puppy’s old habits to create new tricks
• Letting your puppy show off a bit

Tricks are a real delight and can be fun for your pup to learn if you have the right approach: Training doesn’t have to be all work and structure. After your puppy knows the basic directions and shows that he enjoys the process of learning, teaching a trick or two spices up the normal routine. This chapter gives you ten favorite tricks that the two of you can learn together. You don’t have to teach every trick — just those your pup picks up easily. For example, if your puppy is paw expressive, he’ll definitely get into the Paw or Wave tricks.

Warning!

Never practice tricks during lesson time. Otherwise, you turn serious work into a game.

Bow

Does your puppy love a good stretch? Betcha didn’t know you could turn this one into a trick. Just follow these steps:

1. As your puppy’s stretching, bow toward him and say “Bow!”

2. Praise your puppy like he just invented the puppy biscuit.

Repeat these steps each time he stretches. Soon you’ll have him bowing on cue.

Paw

Teaching your puppy Paw is easy and fun. Have your pup start from a sitting position and follow these steps:

1. Say “Paw” or “Shake” as you extend a treat in front of his nose with one hand and extend the other in front of your puppy’s leg.

2. If he looks puzzled, press his shoulder muscle with your other hand.

3. Take his paw the instant he lifts it off the ground and praise him (see Figure 22-1).

Soon he’ll be reaching out for you.

Figure 22-1: “Paw” is always a crowdpleaser.

Tip

A puppy can learn many tricks from one action. With pawing, for example, you can teach your puppy to shake your hand, wave a big hello, or give you a high-five.

Wave

All my dogs have mastered the Wave. It’s a real charmer, especially for kids.

1. Have your puppy sit. Hold a treat inches from his nose and say “Wave” as you wave your hand in front of him.

2. Praise and treat him the instant he lifts his paw.

3. Encourage more enthusiastic waving as he catches on.

Tip

If your puppy is conditioned to cooperate when given a treat, phase out the treats gradually. However, always praise enthusiastically!

High-Five

Now your puppy’s going to learn the High-Five. This trick is too cool. Follow these steps:

1. Do two Paw exercises. Be enthusiastic.

2. Hold your hand up and out for the High-Five. Say “Paw, high-five!”

3. Lower your hand if your puppy makes an attempt.

Soon, he’ll be bringing that paw up with gusto.

Roll Over

Everybody loves the Roll Over routine. Some puppies are into it, but others would rather hibernate in Alaska than roll over. Does your puppy roll over on his own? Does he shift from side to side with ease? If you answered yes to either of these questions, your pup will likely be excited about this trick. Follow these steps:

1. Get a handful of treats and encourage your puppy into a “Down” position.

2. Scratch him until he rolls to one side.

3. Take the treat and circle it from your puppy’s nose, under his chin, and around behind his ear over the back of his neck (see Figure 22-2a).

4. Say “Roll Over” as you circle the treat around his nose toward the opposite side of the floor (see Figure 22-2b).

Tip

Imagine a string tied from the treat to your puppy’s nose. Basically, you’re trying to pull his body over.

5. If he seems to lean into it, praise him, and flip his paws over.

When he’s rolled over, treat and praise him (see Figure 22-2c) and encourage him to jump up.

Figure 22-2: Teaching “Roll Over” is as easy as 1-2-3.

Over

Create your first jump out of a broom and two rolls of toilet paper. A low jump builds your pup’s confidence and looks less scary.

Warning!

Puppies younger than a year should not jump at heights above their elbows - too much development is going on under the skin. Forcing high jumps could cause serious developmental damage.

Follow these steps to teach your pup how to jump:

1. Place your puppy on-lead for control.

2. Let him sniff the jump, and show him a couple of times how you jump the obstacle.

Discourage any chewing with a leash tug.

3. Give your puppy at least five strides of runway space and say “Over” as you trot toward the jump. Jump ahead of your puppy and cheer him for following you.

Remember

If your puppy refuses to jump, stay calm. Don’t pull him over. Walk over the jump several times while your puppy watches. Then try to walk over it together. Although it may take a few tries, your puppy will soon overcome his fear and be more excited for succeeding.

4. After your puppy takes the jump with pride, put him on a short lead. Drop the lead just before the jump to let your puppy take it alone.

Bravo. Enthusiastically praise your pooch.

5. Slowly fade out your approaching run but keep saying “Over” as you point to the jump.

Just for fun

“Over” can also be a game for the kids. Jumps placed in thresholds encourage jumping to fetch toys and balls. The kids can set up a course, inside or out, and jump with the puppy.

Through the Hoop

Purchase a hula hoop at a local variety store and then follow these steps:

1. Set up your original jumping pole across a threshold or between two pieces of furniture.

Put your puppy on a short lead and let him sniff the hoop as you position it on the floor in the center of the jumping pole (see Figure 22-3a).

2. Ask someone to hold the hoop or prop it up securely.

3. Instruct your puppy “Over” as you run toward the hoop, letting go of the lead as you get close (see Figure 22-3b).

4. After your puppy cooperates, combine the “Through” and “Over” directions as you start for the jump, like this: “Over-Through.”

5. Hold the hoop higher so that it’s even with the height of the original jumping pole and say “Over-Through” (see Figure 22-3c).

Your puppy may hesitate because the hoop looks, well, like a hoop, not like a level jump. If he hesitates, walk over to the hoop slowly and allow him to walk through it a couple of times. Use food to encourage him.

After he successfully completes Step 5, you’re ready for the solo hoop.

6. Prop the hoop at floor level, encourage “Through” as you trot toward the hoop, and allow your puppy to go through alone.

Praise him and encourage him back through by running backward as you cheer.

7. Gradually raise the level of the hoop.

Tip

If you want to be really clever (and you have a puppy who won’t grow too big!), you can practice Through the Hoop with your encircled arms. Repeat the preceding steps with the assistance of a close friend, this time using your arms in place of the hoop.

Figure 22-3: Have your puppy jump through hoops for you for a change!

Ask Nicely

Remember

Good balance is a requirement for the Ask Nicely trick. You’re asking your puppy to tilt back from a sitting position and balance on his hind paws, like the old begging routine. (Unless your puppy is a natural, wait until your puppy is 9 months old before you teach this routine. You don’t want to put undo pressure on developing muscles and tissues.) Follow these steps to teach the Ask Nicely trick:

1. Break up five of your pup’s favorite treats.

2. With your pup in a sitting position, place a treat a few centimeters above his nose.

3. Direct “Ask Nicely” as you bring the treat back toward his ears.

If he tilts back for a split second, treat and praise him. Encourage the slightest effort initially, and then slowly increase your expectations.

If your puppy’s trying, but can’t seem to balance himself, stand behind him with your heels together near his tail. Draw the treat back and catch his chest, leaning his body against your legs. Repeat the direction, teaching him how to balance as you hold and treat him. Don’t forget to praise him.

Tip

For complicated tricks like this one, praise each step toward the goal. If at first your puppy tries to lean back, praise that. After leaning back becomes a snap, praise the next step your puppy attempts, such as lifting his paws off the ground.

Play Dead

I’ve always thought that the trick Play Dead was a little depressing. It’s clever, though, so I suggest switching the direction to something more creative like “chill, take a nap, or bang,” depending on the situation. This trick’s easy if you have a calm puppy, and it’s good practice for high-energy pups:

1. Direct “Down.” Encourage your puppy to rest on one side.

2. Kneel next to your pup, but don’t look at him. Then tap the floor near his head and say “Play Dead,” “Nap Time,” “Chill,” or “Bang.”

3. Gently apply pressure to his shoulder and help him rest his head on the floor.

4. Keep his head in place by stroking it gently while saying “Stay.”

After your pup cooperates, take your hand off his head slowly. Eventually, stand up. Make sure you do everything gradually, and remind him “Nap Time, Stay” as needed. Soon you’ll be able to drop the “Stay.”

Speak and Shhh!

If you’ve got a dog who loves to vocalize, this trick is a surefire guarantee. Not only can you teach him to bark on cue, you also can teach him the meaning of “Shhh,” and silence him cheerfully at a moment’s notice.

Consider for a moment how you might urge your dog to bark. Does he clamor if the doorbell rings, if you tease him with a toy, or if you play an instrument? Now follow these steps:

1. Organize this situation, and as he’s getting stimulated (see Figure 22-4a), get excited with him as you flash a snappy signal and say “Speak” (see Figure 22-4b).

2. Praise him for cooperating — even bark with him, especially if he seems confused.

3. Initially break his concentration with a toy, treat, or praise.

After you’re able to encourage him to bark without a stimulus, you’re ready for the second part of the equation, “Shhh!” Follow these steps:

1. Encourage him to bark. Praise him and bark along — make it a good old time.

2. Suddenly, stand tall and say “Shhh” as you wave your arm diagonally across your body up to your mouth (see Figure 22-4c).

He’s likely to be taken by surprise — and may step back too.

3. The instant he stops barking, treat him (preceding the food with a clicker if you’re using one) and praise him well.

Tip

You may also use a treat cup to encourage him to follow you simply by shaking the cup and running away from him the moment he quiets. This method is especially useful if your goal is to have him bark when people come or if he hears a noise.

Figure 22-4: Everyone loves a  dog whospeaks and quiets down on cue.

Sarah Hodgson