As the bully breed owner, you have to be responsible for training your dog. These dogs are known for their tenacity and strength, so they need an owner willing to put in the time. It’s not just about teaching them simple commands – it’s about developing a relationship with your dog that will last throughout its lifetime.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to train your bully breed properly, keep reading!
How To Train American Bully Puppy
The term “bully puppy” can describe several different dog breeds. Among the dogs that are considered to be Bully Breeds are:
- American bully
- American Pitbull Terrier
- Boston Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Bull Terrier
- Englis Bulldogs
- Cane Corso Italiano
- English Bulldog
- English and Neopolitan Mastiff
- Rottweiler
- Pug
The breeds that are considered to be bully dogs have distinct characteristics. All of these dogs descend from Molossers, which were bred as working dogs for daily chores, protecting property, and protecting livestock.
The dogs all had short muzzles, short, pendant-type ears, and were very muscular. The Molosser breed originated in Greece. Despite their reputation, bully dogs are very loving and easygoing. They’re highly intelligent and very protective of their owners.
They’re wonderful companions and are great with children. Some people refer to them as nanny dogs because of their protective nature. Bullies typically have an affectionate nature and are fun-loving dogs. These dogs are very agile and active.
Although some bullies like to lie around, they all need physical exercise and mental stimulation. They require at least 45 minutes of exercise each day. Bullies have a natural prey instinct and are more motivated than other breeds to chase fast-moving objects, so training is essential.
When Should American Bully Training Start?
Living with a well-adjusted Bully Dog means starting with the basics and teaching a few simple commands.
Dogs who are intelligent and eager to please their owners can be trained no matter their age, but the earlier you start, the better behaved your dog will be. When you first bring your puppy home is time to begin training for your bully. Choose a quiet place where there won’t be a lot of distractions.
Use a leash made of a durable material that won’t break. It would help if you always kept your dog leashed during training, especially in public places.
Professional trainers agree that the secret to successful American Bully training is using rewards and positive reinforcement. Here are some of the bully training secrets the professionals use to train Bully Breeds.
Important American Bully Training Tips
- Learn to anticipate how your dog will react in all kinds of situations and avoid situations that make your dog feel uncomfortable or scared.
- Don’t let people or other animals invade your dog’s space if it’s stressful for him.
- Learn your dog’s body language. You can tell how your dog is feeling by his facial expression, posture, eyes, and how he’s holding his tail.
- The more playtime you and your dog have together, the more your dog will love and respect you. Dogs see play as a reward. It’s been shown that people who play with their dogs regularly communicate with and understand them better.
How To Use Clicker Training
clicker or other sound to achieve the desired behavior.
Bullies are extremely intelligent, and clicker training allows them to use their intellect to figure out what their owner wants.
One way to begin clicker. The dog gets a treat when he obeys your command. This exercise is an excellent way to get your dog to focus on you and is great for bonding.
Precise timing is essential when you use the clicker method of training your dog, your timing will improve. It’s essential to focus on your dog and watch what he’s doing when you praise him.
For example, if you tell your dog to sit while using the clicker and he obeys, you immediately offer a treat, so your dog knows exactly why he’s being rewarded. Verbal praise at the same time you reward your dog with a treat reinforces the positive behavior.
Bully Training Through Socialization
As soon as your Bully puppy has had shots, it’s time to begin socialization. Expose your puppy to different situations, so he feels comfortable with people and other animals in various environments. Take your puppy to pet-friendly stores and restaurants. Walk around the mall, so he gets accustomed to other people. Go to a dog park. Let your puppy meet adult dogs that you know are friendly. An excellent way to socialize your puppy is to enroll in a puppy training class.
Why Do Dogs Need Muscles?
Dogs, like humans, benefit from a healthy lifestyle. Adding muscle to your dog can have several healthy results, such as a potentially prolonged life or a lesser risk for injury.
Not to mention, bully dogs have incredibly defined muscles. If you work on adding muscle to your bully, it’ll likely gain attraction from onlookers. Others will marvel at your dog’s physique.
Dog Muscle Building Guide
Bullies are great dogs to build muscle with. They’re naturally muscular, and they love to work out, so it’s easy for them to gain some serious muscles if you want your dog to be healthy and strong.
You can help your dog live a healthier lifestyle by feeding him the right food and giving him the right exercises.
Here will go over everything from what kind of food he should eat, how much exercise he needs, and more! Your pup will thank you later when he has some solid muscles on his body.
Before You Start Training Your Dog
All dogs should be exercised anywhere from 20-45 minutes per day. If you’re someone who only provides minimal exercise to your dog, you may want to spend some time building up your dog’s necessary stamina. Jumping right into any workout routine can cause unnecessary strain on your dog’s body.
Even if your dog is used to exercise, you’ll want to consider some factors before jumping right in.
First, do some research on your dog’s breed and, if possible, it’s lineage. After all, your dog will only gain as much muscle as genetically possible. You don’t want to keep working your dog if it reaches its peak.
Second, it’s recommended to check in with a vet to determine if your dog can handle additional exercise properly.
Find The Right Diet
The safest way of determining the proper diet for your dog is checking in with a vet. However, if you simply don’t have time, there are a few things you can rely on when picking a diet for your dog centered around building mass.
The one surefire aspect of this diet is that it should be comprised of dog food that has those same nutrients only with higher levels of protein.
You can also rely on My Bully Shop. Check out this high-protein, high-fat dog food we offer.
Cardio Vs. High Intensity
Generally, there are two forms of workouts for your dog: cardio and high intensity.
Some might frown upon cardio workouts, stating that it’ll just burn off the muscle you’re trying to build. However, that’s not entirely accurate. If you balance between cardio and high intensity, cardio workouts will continue to tone the muscle you building on your dog. Cardio workouts are generally long-distance runs, ranging from 2-10 miles long.
High-intensity workouts are dead sprints, modified sprints, pulling, jumping, and any other rigorous form of exercise that requires a high level of physical output in a short amount of time.
Set A Routine
It’s important to set a routine. As previously mentioned, it’ll be best to balance workouts between cardio and high intensity.
The routine should also be built as a steady progression. You’ll want to make the workouts more strenuous as more time progresses.
Here’s an example starter 14 workout plan for your dog:
- Day 1: 2 Mile Trail Run
- Day 2: 30min. Field Sprints
- Day 3: Weighted Vest Sprints
- Day 4: 2 Mile Trail Run
- Day 5: 30min. Sleigh Pulling
- Day 6 & 7: Rest
- Day 8: 4 Mile Trail Run
- Day 9: 30min Field Springs/ Evening Walk w/ Weighted Vest
- Day 10: Hike/ Weighted Vest Sprints
- Day 11: 4 Mile Run
- Day 12: 30min. Sleigh Pulling/ Evening Walk w/ Weighted Vest
- Day 13 & 14: Rest
Add Dog Weight Vest
Once you get a routine, it’s time to start adding weight. Over time, your dog will get used to the amount of weight they’re working out with. Thus, you’ll want to increase the load they carry. This may include adding weights/weighted vests to normal cardio runs, putting in heavier weights on the weighted vests, increasing the weight of sleigh pulls. Additionally, if you work on jumping with your dog, you’ll want to add a weighted vest over time. The more weight your dog can handle the stronger it’ll become.
Switch Up The Workouts
As you start to pack on the muscle on your dog, it might seem that he or she “plateaus.” In other words, it might seem that your dog hits its peak performance. Before declaring your dog primed, try switching up the workouts, or introducing new ones altogether.
Not only will your dog get used to the amount of weight it works with, but it’ll also get used to the motions of the workout. You might try adding in more hikes or going on runs that require hills, or introducing obstacles on-field sprints. Another new workout to introduce is utilizing resistance bands for your dog.
Try Some Supplements
Your dog might even benefit from the integration of canine supplements to help their bodies recover quicker and stronger. Once again, My Bully Shop has you covered. We sell top-of-the-line workout dog supplements designed to help your dog workout harder and longer.
Allow For Recovery
It’s important to recognize that, like humans, dogs need time to recover. As your dog goes through whatever motions you plan for them, their muscles will break down. Recovery time is crucial to allow these muscles to heal. During the healing time, muscles will grow more durable and stronger as they’re broken down over and over again.
Not to mention, overworking your dog can be dangerous. Not only do you run the risk of seriously injuring your canine friend–whether it be a pulled muscle or joint but your dog could learn to despise working out. If they’re not given proper time for their bodies to recover and adjust, they might only associate working out with never-ending pain. They’ll slowly create a negative association with working out, making the muscle-building process even more difficult than it has to be.
Bonus Tip
They are challenging, but not impossible to work with. Here are some tips for training your bully breed:
- Build a strong foundation early on – maintaining this is essential throughout the dog’s lifetime. Consistent rules and boundaries will keep them in line during training and throughout their lives.
- Use positive reinforcement – rewards such as treats, petting, and verbal praise work best when training a bully breed. They respond well to this type of reinforcement, so use it liberally throughout the training process.
- Be consistent – this is probably the most important thing you can do as a trainer. If you’re inconsistent, your dog will be too.
- Keep training fun – don’t ever let it become a chore or something that you dread. Your dog will pick up on your mood and energy, so keep them at their best while teaching.
Hopefully, you’re already showing your dog the love and compassion he or she deserves. However, when we work with our dogs, it can be easy to get lost in the structured demand for physical activity. If you decide to build muscle on your dog via a workout routine, it’s important to praise your pet continually. Reward them for working hard. That way, they’ll always associate working out with some form of reward.
How To Crate Train Your American Bully
Dogs love to have their own space where they feel safe and comfortable. crate should be large enough so your dog can move around comfortably and be constructed of materials that allow him to watch what’s going on.
Put a soft blanket in the crate door, and when the dog feels secure, inside it with the door open.
When the dog feels secure, the door can be closed after feeding. Let the dog remain in the crate at night.
Points To Remember About American Bully Dogs
- One of the most important lessons your bully dog will learn from you is trust.
- When your dog feels comfortable with you, he’ll know that you’ll protect and take care of him.
- When your dog has proper training and a lot of positive reinforcement, he’ll look to you for guidance and will know what’s expected of him.
Final Words
For Bully Breeds to have a better reputation, people need to be informed about their beautiful dogs. Owners need to start training their bully dogs as Puppies to know what’s expected of them. If people are educated about these dog breeds, they can be accepted for the loving, family dogs they were meant to be.
