Rescue Bull Terrier - Educate yourself about the bull terrier breed

Educate yourself about the bull terrier breed. Bull terriers can be a handful when they are young (under age six). They love to be busy and are smart. The combination can mean destructive behavior if bored. Bull terriers may not be the right dog for a working family. Often bull terriers get along with other dogs, but it can be difficult to have two males in the same home. Positive reinforcement behavior training is important since bull terriers are loyal and protective of their families. This could lead to misunderstood encounters, especially if the family children are rough housing with other children.

Bull Terrier - Dog Lover

How to identify - Feel the short, harsh coat

Feel the short, harsh coat. The coat should be flat and have a fine gloss. The skin should be tight. On white dogs, markings may be seen on the head, but there should be no other markings. Bull Terrier may have skin pigmentation.

Bull Terrier - Dog Lover

How to identify - Look at the fore and hindquarters

Look at the fore and hindquarters of this breed. The legs should be big-boned. The forelegs are moderate in length and the elbows do not turn in or out. The hind legs are parallel if viewed from behind, and have muscular thighs. The feet are round and compact, and the toes arch in a cat-like manner. The short tail should be fine and carried horizontally. It is thick at the body, but tapers to a fine point.

Bull Terrier - Dog Lover

How to identify - Check that the neck is muscular and long

Check that the neck is muscular and long. It should arch and taper from the shoulders to the head. There should be no loose skin. The chest is broad when viewed from the front and is very deep from the withers to the brisket. It is closer to the ground than the belly. Bull Terrier is a well-rounded breed and a short, strong back. There is a pronounced backward slope from the bottom edge of the blade to the top edge. There should be no dip at the withers.

Bull Terrier - Dog Lover

How to identify - Look at the head area

Look at the head area. The long head should be strong and deep. The face is oval in the outline and should not show hollows or indentations. The forehead is flat from ear to ear. The small ears are thin and are placed close together. The should be able to stand straight up. The well-sunken eyes should be very dark and set close together and high on the dog’s head. The nose is black and bends down at the tip.

Bull Terrier - Dog Lover

TRAINING QUESTION - How do I stop leash pulling?

To stop leash pulling your dog can never be allowed to pull you. If this means you stop after 5 feet of walking and return home, then that's what you have to do.

You can use a prong collar but sometimes this doesn't work because once the collar is removed the dog pulls again.

The best method I know of is to change direction a lot. Start off by walking and when your dog is almost to the end of the leash, do a 180 turn and walk in the opposite direction.

They will self correct themselves. As you do this turn call them to you in a happy voice and speed up your pace until they catch up.

Once your dog is almost at the end of the leash, turn to the left, turn to the right etc... Keep changing the direction up and your dog will eventually start looking at you because they have no idea where they are going.

Repeat this a lot. If you only get 30 feet, that's fine, take them out to the yard and play fetch or spring pole them for 20 minutes to get that exercise in.

Bull Terrier - Dog Lover

TRAINING QUESTION - How do I stop annoying behavior problems?

Oddly enough it has been proven time and time again that unless there is a medical or genetic flaw in your dog behavior problems are a result of:

(A) Lack of training and discipline
(B) Lack of exercise and mental stimulation

Try taking your dog for longer walks (during the hot months use caution and take a lot of water) more often. Instead of 5 10 minute walks, try two 45-60 minute walks per day. This alone can curb and has been shown to stop behavior problems in their tracks.

Bull Terrier - Dog Lover

TRAINING QUESTION - How do I house train my Bull Terrier?

Take them out a lot. Adjust their feeding schedule and wait 20-30 minutes depending on the age of the dog. Then take them outside and let them do their thing.

Wait until they have used the bathroom before you bring them back in. If this takes some time, bring them back in, wait 2-5 minutes and then take them back out.

The idea is to show the dog that going outside is a good thing. Do not hit, scold, rub their nose in it, simply say NO when you catch them, take them outside and be done with it. If you don't catch them, clean up the mess and go on with your life.

Bull Terrier - Dog Lover