Bulldogs are known for their laid back and even lazy temperament. This is true of the adult bulldog, but puppies are a completely different story. Up until about 2 years old, bulldogs are pudgy little bowling balls, and plow into everyone and everything to release their energy. You’ll want to control this to preserve the peaceful atmosphere in your home and keep it from being torn apart.

Brisk Walks Everyday

Bulldogs are broad little things, but they need exercise too. It’s healthy for them physically as well as mentally to get some cardio action in everyday and it’s best for you if they do it in a controlled atmosphere. This is why you should take your bulldog on a walk everyday. Thirty minutes of cardio after breakfast will help to calm your pup down for the rest of the day. In the evening if it sparks back up, there are other things you can do.

Fetch

Fetch is one of the best games you can play with your pup.  This is because your pup gets a good workout, you get to build your tennis arm, and it’s really easy to multitask. If you have a truly pup friendly environment, you can play it while working in your home office or watching television. Teaching your pup to play fetch will be easy, because they will quickly learn that you’ll throw it again and give them something to chase if they bring it back to you. Take advantage of this great activity to control your dog.

The Right Toys

Bulldogs are an intelligent breed and tend to get bored with boring toys. A stuffed animal will quickly be ripped to shreds and then your hyper pup will move onto the next thing, likely a shoe or the couch. You’ll need to get the pup the types of toys that allow you to hide treats in them. You can also get a hollow bone, stuff it with peanut butter and freeze it overnight. Toys that keep your pup busy for a while will give it some stimulation and give you some time to get things done around the house without having to constantly worry about the pup.

A Playmate

If you don’t have any active children in the house you may want to consider getting your pup a playmate. This is only recommended for well-trained bulldog puppies, preferably a year or older, to be sure there’s no regression. Waiting to get a playmate will also help to make sure you have an easier time training the new pup.  The playmate is a natural outlet for your pup’s energy. Many people are hesitant to do this because it seems logically backwards. Understandably so, because you think, “I want to free up my time for relaxation and you’re telling me to get another one?” However, the most time consuming thing about the new puppy will be potty training, which doesn’t take very long when done right. Obedience training is controlled and planned. This means you’ll be able to get some control over your life back as you can allow the puppies to keep one another busy while you’re handling housework and other tasks as planned. Then you can commit to obedience training as planned and have fewer interruptions in your routine. When they’re all tired out you all can cuddle up together to watch your favorite show on the couch.

Dog Park

Dog parks for vaccinated dogs are amazing. You can take your pup for 30-45 minutes and bring them home completely pooped and ready for a nap. Bulldogs love a social scene and thrive at dog parks, interacting with the other dogs and people alike.

Overall, you just want to give your pup an outlet for its energy. How you do that is up to you. These are just some suggestions that will help your pup’s energy level be more predictable so you can properly plan your day around it. Puppies will act out when they’re filled with energy and have no way to release it. That’s when they start getting into trouble. Meet your puppy halfway and give it some time to exercise and have a good time.

Photo credit: tang*lee/Flickr