TRAINING QUESTION - My dog is stubborn and won't listen to me. What can I do?

First and foremost dogs are not stubborn. This is a myth. What we see as stubborn is what I call handler mistakes and dogs doing what they have been allowed to do.

For example, if your dog doesn't come to you until the 10th time you call them you might say they are stubborn.

I would say, you have trained your dog that it's the 10th time they should come and not the first time. So it has nothing to with being stubborn. It has everything to do with the fact you did not set the standards to one command, one reaction, one result.

Come, dog doesn't come, you go get them. This results in ONE command, ONE reaction (dog coming to you) and one result (solid recall).

Bull Terrier - Dog Lover

TRAINING QUESTION - How old should my dog be before I start training her?

With positive training a dog can be started as early as 7 weeks of age. However, to teach formal obedience the dog should be older. 4-6 months of age is a good time to start formal obedience training using positive methods.

One important note, in order for a dog to learn a new behavior they have to be old enough to be able to understand that behavior. Teaching a 7 week old puppy to heel would not be a good behavior to teach simply because it takes concentration that a puppy of that age doesn't have yet.

Bull Terrier - Dog Lover

Owner guide - no coat trimming

Bull Terriers require no coat trimming.

Bull Terrier - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Finish grooming with a misty spray

Finish grooming with a misty spray of coat gloss to give his coat a nice sheen.

Bull Terrier - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Dry your Bull Terrier with soft bath towels

Dry your Bull Terrier with soft bath towels. While drying, brush out excess shed hair with a natural bristle brush.

Bull Terrier - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Apply a final coat conditioner on Bull Terrier

Apply a final coat conditioner on Bull Terrier by lightly rubbing it onto his coat and spreading it with a light brushing.

Bull Terrier - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Bathe Bull Terrier

Bathe Bull Terrier every two to three months with a shampoo recommended by your vet, breeder or pet store. If you own a white Bull Terrier, a good quality whitening shampoo improves her dull white coat.

Bull Terrier - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Clip Bull Terrier's whiskers

Clip Bull Terrier's whiskers every one to two months with blunt-nosed scissors. Not every owner chooses to keep their Bull Terrier's whiskers clipped.

Bull Terrier - Dog Lover