Please help me keep my bull terrier!!!!!!!!!

TexTex

 My husband and I got a bull terrier almost a year ago. Our pup (Tex) recently turned one year old. He potties in his kennel. (he is kennel broke, actually loves his kennel and gets stressed out when we take it out to clean it) I try to feed him by 6pm and take him potty up to three time before we call it a night. (we normally got to bed about 10pm awaking at 6, and take him out to potty asap) I sit with him out side and tell him to go, which he normally does but the still goes in his kennel. My husband is growing tired of this behavior and has threatened to get rid of him.  my heart would absolutely break, I love this dog so much. please any tips would be great!

Another issue is uncontrollable barking. I bought a three in one training collar. the first setting is a rough vibration then it has a low shock and high shock. I do not like to use the shock but nothing keeps him quiet.

Last but not least, how much exercise should he has a day??

 

BulliesofNC

Sounds like he may have a bladder problem if he's using the bathroom in his kennel during short durations. Have you had him checked by your Vet? It's very uncommon for a Bull Terrier to urinate in their kennel unless they have either been in it too long or have an uncontrollable bladder.

He may not be getting enough time during the day to exercise and play. What is his daily activity? At his age Bull Terriers need plenty of time to release energy. The barking may be just out of stress or boredom. I would encourage more play time for exercise that he needs at this stage in his life.

TexTex

He poops. I can tell he doesn't like it because he squeezes himself into the cleanest corner.

 

And typical walks. our yard isn't very big. I,m thinking more dog park trips?

philsergeant

(This is my opinion... every situation is different).... You are going to need to go back to basics.... How did he get potty trained to begin with?.... Did he get to understand that if he pooped on grass he got praise and a treat... and if he pooped on floor he got his nose stuck in it and a whack on the butt?.... If not, you might need to start all over again with the basics. He is a Bullie, and will want to please you.... he knows that somewhat already otherwise he wouldn't be trying to poop in the corner, but he doesn't know that strongly enough and he isn't being let know how mad and disappointed you are when he doesn't follow the rules.
(I'm not ruling out that he might have some nervous bowel control problem... but from what you say he knows when to hold 'em, and when to unload 'em).

On other matters he really needs at least 1/2 hour strenuous exercise every day... walking, running, panting.... every bully needs this.... If he doesn't get into the habit, besides being unhappy (and all that that brings) he will become lazy in later life and struggle with weight, lethargy and bad health (like all of us)..... Bullies are not like Chihuahua's that just get grey and droopy and grumpy.  Socialization, dog parks, dog beaches, are very important.... we take ours EVERYWHERE.

exiled

You've been given some great suggestions from successful BT owners.  First, you should go to the vet.  It will probably be helpful to tell the vet exactly what you feed, when, how often, and also your dog's behavior and activity levels.

We had trouble with our rescue (he rescued us, actually) and we discussed it with our vet.  Our vet has a lot of experience with BTs, so we are extremely lucky.  We followed his advice to feed him once, give him about 20 minutes, then take it away.  It worked like magic and still does.  Another thing that has helped, in my opinion, is giving him a good spoonful of organic pumpkin in addition to a top quality grain-free kibble...Orijen Red (and we precisely follow Orijen's recommended amounts).  We give him a couple of spoonfuls of Merrick canned 96 percent meat, a spoonful of Bragg's apple cider vinegar with Mother, two squirts of Grizzly Oil.  Now that it is available for that amount of time, he eats at a great pace and it's wiped clean. 

In addition to the exact amounts at the same time, we do NOT give him table scraps.  By giving him top quality grain-free treats and organic green beans, we do not have to worry about his gut being thrown off.  The only times we will stray is if we're eating some prime steak, then we can't resist.  We are careful to walk him extra just in case it throws him off.

I find his system takes around four hours before he's ready to poop.  Are you able to try feeding him earlier, around 4 pm?  I'm wondering if he realizes he's in for the night and can't resist, knowing he's not going to have any chance to go out again until morning.

Also, activity level is KEY!  I am home all day.  What I'm wondering about with your dog is if he isn't getting enough exercise, and when he does get out, he's too happy playing and being free that pooping isn't in his thoughts.  Then, he gets inside and realizes he lost his chance to poop.  I'm not saying that's the case, but if he isn't getting enough exercise, then you and your BT have differing opinions about what's really important when he's out for that last walk.

It is amazing how much time my BT exercises and is roaming around with toys.  It is constant!  It is at least an hour a day of hucklebutting with regular trips to the dog park.  A good remainder of the day is free to roam about with a big selection of Kong toys or other toys for strong chewers.  I find when he goes for the "potty" walks, he does his business.  I don't just bring him back to his crate or lock him up.  We keep walking, or we keep playing fetch or chasing around.  This way, he doesn't delay pottying so that he can delay his free time.  If I was a dog and as soon as I did my business my owner turned around and took me home, I wouldn't exactly feel inspired to hurry up and take care of business.

Not saying anything I wrote applies to your situation, just what has been some of my thought processes and guided my decisions about how I feed him and keep everyone in my family happy.

I will say, he is very predicable and reliable to do his business when we go out.  He loves his crate for sleeping and relaxing.  We don't have any problems with him pottying inside.  Knock on wood.  I guess long story short, get him active all day, try feeding him earlier, and most importantly, talk to his vet.