English bulldogs are fantastic family pets. These loyal and affectionate dogs appeal to families around the world with their short and muscular bodies and host of wrinkles. They are the most adorable puppies and beautiful dogs when fully grown. The one thing that many dog owners don't realize is that while English bulldogs make such amazing family pets, they are exceptionally stubborn.

The best way to train any dog is with positive reinforcement. When dealing with a dog with a stubborn nature, negative reinforcement such as shouting or smacking isn't going to offer you any results. Teaching the dog that when they do something right they are rewarded is the best method for this particular breed who craves attention and is loyal, wanting to please their owner when they can.

One of the best methods to training your English bulldog is clicker training. Clicker training has been used by dolphin trainers for years and comes with many positive rewards. When dealing with a stubborn dog, you can't afford a delay between the dog actually doing what you have asked and praise. Due to the fact that these dogs love attention from their owners, petting them to tell them they have done well will only increase their crave of affection.

Another thing to remember is that these dogs aren't keen on exercise. Chances are when you bring out the collar and leash, the dog is going to lie down and refuse to leave the house. Being indoor dogs, you also want to ensure they aren't going to soil your home when you are out or chew up your expensive sofa if left alone.

This means that petting the dog to tell them they have done well or giving them biscuits or treats isn't the way to go. With clicker training the dog soon learns that when you click, they have done what you asked. It is a quick method that requires a lot of patience and fast triggers. When your English bulldog eventually does what you ask, which can take a lot of time and patience, praise them with a positive voice. The dog will soon realize that you saying "good boy" in a happy tone is exactly what they need and they know you are happy with their achievement.

Relating the clicker to positive consequences has proven highly successful in English bulldog training. When training this particular breed you cannot afford to take a break from training. Training needs to be carried out at regular intervals at various times of the day. Keep training times short because the dog will lose interest. Remember patience is key as these dogs have a mind of their own and will be stubborn to start.

Start with your training as soon as your new puppy arrives home. The first training is house training, teaching the dog to only go outside when they need to go to the toilet. This is the most important step of the training process and once you have accomplished this, you can move on to other training techniques. Puppies can start training, understanding commands and following commands from two months of age.

When you start your training routine with an English bulldog it's advisable to put a set routine together which includes feeding times, toilet times and play times. A dog with a set routine will be a happy and confident dog. Ensure you add a few ten minute training times in the day to ensure you start working on the important commands you want your dog to learn moving forward.