BT First time owner advice needed
Hi everyone.
I am new here so apologies in advance if I am posting in the wrong section - I think character is the closest to what I'm talking about.
I am very interested in getting an English Bull Terrier pup. I have found a breeder and they've found a gorgeous puppy for me. However, I am a bit skeptical about adopting because of all I've read about BTs, but I also see the info on the net as being a bit backwards and bias against the breed. I have a few questions I'd like to ask so please bear with me:
1. If I am at work during the day, will my EBT be okay to stay at home during the day? And is there anything we can do to make sure he is comfortable and not destructive while I'm away? I have no problem putting in the time for walks, exercise and training he will need, so I am willing to go the extra mile to find a situation that works for us. BUT just how much exercise does an EBT need daily? I want to know what I'm in for so I am prepared.
2. How have you Bully-proofed your home to make it safe for the dog while you aren't there?
3. I have a cat, and I'm looking at getting a Chinese Crested dog too, and while the breeder i'm adopting from socialises the dogs with other animals and children, I've read that an EBT'S high prey instinct means they could snap and kill other pets. As actual pet owners, do you have experience around this? Do you think it's safe for the animals to be left at home if they are no issues between them?
4. This one is silly and not a deal breaker, but do EBT's have an odour? Do they drool a lot? And are their noses runny?
5. Are EBT's velcro dogs or more independent? How aware are your dogs of your presence? Do they care if you're even there?
And for now, those are all my questions. I plan in meeting the puppy I want to adopt soon, so I will know more about the breed then, when I meet his parents too. From what I've seen on the breeders site, his dogs look really well-socialised and of good temperament, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Comments
It's not only a question of HOW, but also WHAT exercise. A simple walk won't do, because these dogs need entertainment, physical AND ALSO mental exercise.
I spend about 2 hours spread over the day to entertain/ exercise my dog, but I work at home.
TRAINING (obedience, calming etc.) is also VERY important from an early age on. They want and need guidance. And you should already schedule time for that as well.
If you are not at home during the entire day you should probably already think about special arrangements, such as dog sitter, a family member looking after the pets, being at home during your break, if possible, doggie day care, taking the dog to work, if possible (but not having it sit in the car all day then!) .... I would not leave dogs alone at home frequently for longer than about 4 hours. At some point they need the chance to relive themselves and they also need the owner's company, no matter if other pets are around or not.
2. How have you Bully-proofed your home to make it safe for the dog while you aren't there?
Just as with babies: Take away small items that can be swallowed for a while when you get a puppy. Make sure that drawers cannot be opened easily and that no cables are exposed for chewing.
I have security cameras in the house which I also use to monitor our dog. There are also some remedies, such as bitter spray etc., but they do not work reliably on any dog. I've never used them.
Other than that we have TRAINED our dog NOT to touch things that are not hers.
Again, I work in a home office, so I am around a lot. For short periods of absence (2-4 hrs max.) I have a plastic kennel (provides more privacy than a crate) that my dog is also using as her own room in the house to sleep in during the day or during the night, if she is not sleeping in our bed.
EBT's like cozy boxes with enough space for them as a refuge in the house.
BUT Kennel or crate are definitely NO option for LONG absences. Confining the dog regularly in a small space can lead to OCD symptoms. A better alternative is to make arrangements that allow for the dog not to be left alone for long periods of time or provide more safe space during the day, such as a room that is especially prepared.
And also make arrangements so they just do not have to be alone for longer periods every day, as already mentioned above.
3. I have a cat, and I'm looking at getting a Chinese Crested dog too, and while the breeder i'm adopting from socialises the dogs with other animals and children, I've read that an EBT'S high prey instinct means they could snap and kill other pets. As actual pet owners, do you have experience around this? Do you think it's safe for the animals to be left at home if they are no issues between them?
This is a question the multi-pet-owners here will have to answer. The prey instinct is controllable in many EBT's and often not developed that much. BUT it varies in individuals. Some EBT's should better NOT live in one household with a cat. With others it's absolutely no problem.
If one individual has a huge prey instinct, I doubt that this is reliably controllable by training and socializing. I would probably never leave such a "high-prey-instinct" dog alone with a cat, only under supervision. Again, depends on the individual.
4. This one is silly and not a deal breaker, but do EBT's have an odour? Do they drool a lot? And are their noses runny?
If they get the RIGHT FOOD and supplements (both very important!), health and body care, they will neither drool, nor stink and hardly ever fart.
Odors in general either in humans or animals usually are a sign that something is out of balance or a sign of disease.
ALL dogs have wet noses. But if they are runny, something's usually wrong healthwise.
Body care and grooming should be performed with products especially formulated for dogs and not too often (no daily full baths etc., once every 1-2 weeks is the maximum for a healthy dog)
Brushing teeth is advisable with just a brush, additional toothpaste for dogs or a DIY formula.
5. Are EBT's velcro dogs or more independent? How aware are your dogs of your presence? Do they care if you're even there?
They are not loners, if that's what you are asking, although many prefer the company of humans instead of the company of other dogs or other animals. They are FAMILY DOGS with a VERY strong personality. They love to be part of everything, don't like to be excluded and they DO get attached, especially once they are past the age of about three years. When younger they often seem a little more independent and careless, often more interested in other people or animals than interested in their owners. But that is just because of their adventurous spirit, they just want to suck in everything new. That's not to be taken the wrong way. Even my girl, who is the poster child for doggie party is now becoming a cuddler. They definitely need dedicated owners, who are patient and willing to take extra good care of them.
Besides all of this, I advise you to read and research even more already, especially about nutrition, training and their character/ temperament. EBT's are very special dogs that need determined and consistent owners.
As I read your questions, I think it's a very good idea to gather information in advance. I am happy to meet a prospective owner, who is doing it this and not the other way around!
And while you will probably learn a ton of things once you have a new dog, there are still a lot more things you can already learn in advance in order be prepared for the new addition.
Everything you do right with your EBT puppy when still young is an investment in the future that will pay off in the future. Many owners do go through one or the other difficult stage with their puppy. But the more you know and the better you are prepared, the more easy these stages will become to handle.
There's a wonderful book about training with Bull Terriers - When Pigs Fly!: Training Success with Impossible Dogs. It's about clicker training - not a thing everybody falls for. But it also holds tons of information about the breed and useful tips on how to handle things with an EBT, even without using a clicker. That's why I recommend it over and over even to people with no intention to ever do clicker training.