There are a bunch of thread's of new puppies, and I was close to just asking my questions in those threads but I didn't want to clutter someone else's source of information with my own questions. So I figured I'd use this for 1) an introduction of myself to you experienced bulldog owners, and 2) to pick your brains on some questions I have.
I just put down a deposit on a 5 week old puppy from a breeder, (am I allowed to list there website? They have a couple puppies left for sale). I will be picking him up on or around March 15th. I have contacted ALL of the breeders listed within a 300 mile radius of myself that were listed in the AKC breeder classifieds. Lo and behold I came across a breeder who wasn't listed, but I checked AKC website and there male and females are registered. This breeder talked to me the most, sent pictures, videos, and generally just made me feel comfortable about my purchase and quality of the dog. I mean who wants to spend $2000 without really knowing what there getting!? Surprisingly, some breeders in the VA area that have puppies available weren't as willing to talk and answer my MANY questions, they were just short an brief, which I do not like when talking about a puppy I'm trying to buy, especially being a first time dog and bulldog owner!
So my questions: I have researched crate training to the max! My only question regarding crate training is, my room is upstairs. I would LOVE for my puppy's crate to be in my room, just so I can be with/close to him! My only concern is, when I take him out to go potty or
. I've read they need to be close to the door to get outside quickly and avoid accidents. I would have to pick him up and then walk down stairs to get outside, is this really a problem or am I thinking to much into it?
Another concern I have is socializing my puppy. For the first month and a half, he won't have access to many dog's or a dog park. It is my understanding that between 8-12 weeks the puppy needs to be socialized with 1000's of different people and animals. 1000's of people is no big deal. I'm finishing out college, and taking him on campus everyone would come up and greet him, he would have no problems meeting a bunch of different people. I do go to a small school however, and only know a few people with a dog. One of which his main future playmate, is kind of a rowdy, out of balance and lacks discipline australian cattle/blue heeler, little obnoxious dog. Do I want my puppy to learn behaviors and socialize with those kind of dogs? When I move back home, I'll have access to dog parks etc.. but that wont be for a full month and a half after I pick the pup up.
My thoughts on neutering are this: (and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). I am planning a neuter @ 6 months of age. I have read this could be bad for bulldogs (not quite sure why). I feel like neutering before he hits 8 months (when a dog starts maturing hormones) he won't ever have that mental "image" in his head that he needs to mate. So by breeding at 6 months he eliminates from his nature the need to mate. I feel like after 8 months he will already have experienced it and that would be a little unfair to me, at least!
My main focus on a puppy is giving him lot's of lovies, socializing him properly to where he is calm, confident, and curious about ALL situations, discipline, rules and boundaries, and teaching him to skateboard!
If there are ANY words of advice I would love to hear it!
Thank you, oh and also a couple pictures, everyone seems to love pictures !
At 4 weeks of age:
I just put down a deposit on a 5 week old puppy from a breeder, (am I allowed to list there website? They have a couple puppies left for sale). I will be picking him up on or around March 15th. I have contacted ALL of the breeders listed within a 300 mile radius of myself that were listed in the AKC breeder classifieds. Lo and behold I came across a breeder who wasn't listed, but I checked AKC website and there male and females are registered. This breeder talked to me the most, sent pictures, videos, and generally just made me feel comfortable about my purchase and quality of the dog. I mean who wants to spend $2000 without really knowing what there getting!? Surprisingly, some breeders in the VA area that have puppies available weren't as willing to talk and answer my MANY questions, they were just short an brief, which I do not like when talking about a puppy I'm trying to buy, especially being a first time dog and bulldog owner!
So my questions: I have researched crate training to the max! My only question regarding crate training is, my room is upstairs. I would LOVE for my puppy's crate to be in my room, just so I can be with/close to him! My only concern is, when I take him out to go potty or
. I've read they need to be close to the door to get outside quickly and avoid accidents. I would have to pick him up and then walk down stairs to get outside, is this really a problem or am I thinking to much into it?Another concern I have is socializing my puppy. For the first month and a half, he won't have access to many dog's or a dog park. It is my understanding that between 8-12 weeks the puppy needs to be socialized with 1000's of different people and animals. 1000's of people is no big deal. I'm finishing out college, and taking him on campus everyone would come up and greet him, he would have no problems meeting a bunch of different people. I do go to a small school however, and only know a few people with a dog. One of which his main future playmate, is kind of a rowdy, out of balance and lacks discipline australian cattle/blue heeler, little obnoxious dog. Do I want my puppy to learn behaviors and socialize with those kind of dogs? When I move back home, I'll have access to dog parks etc.. but that wont be for a full month and a half after I pick the pup up.
My thoughts on neutering are this: (and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). I am planning a neuter @ 6 months of age. I have read this could be bad for bulldogs (not quite sure why). I feel like neutering before he hits 8 months (when a dog starts maturing hormones) he won't ever have that mental "image" in his head that he needs to mate. So by breeding at 6 months he eliminates from his nature the need to mate. I feel like after 8 months he will already have experienced it and that would be a little unfair to me, at least!
My main focus on a puppy is giving him lot's of lovies, socializing him properly to where he is calm, confident, and curious about ALL situations, discipline, rules and boundaries, and teaching him to skateboard!
If there are ANY words of advice I would love to hear it!
Thank you, oh and also a couple pictures, everyone seems to love pictures !
At 4 weeks of age:
