Hopefully you have already collected an ample supply of used newspapers to use around the house to house train your new puppy. If not, puppy pads, which are absorbent sterilized pads, are available at pet stores and online retailers. I tend to use newspaper as it is a cheaper option but requires a bit more work.
Put the newspaper next to the puppies’ bed at night, as it is rare for a young puppy to spend the night without pottying. Over the next few weeks, start moving the paper closer to the outer door to encourage him to figure out where he needs to look to go. Within a few weeks you will notice that you have better bladder control and will last through the night. First thing in the morning, let your puppy go outside to relieve himself. Praise him as he does his business, as this will reinforce in his mind that this is what he should do.
Bulldog puppies should not get a lot of exercise because as they grow at a very rapid rate, their bones need time to develop and become strong. It is not uncommon to see a bulldog puppy in a cast because this rule has not been followed either. When your bulldog is fully grown, you’ll find that some just want to stay indoors, while others are happy to walk an hour a day. You will be able to work on an exercise program based on your own dog’s needs when he is fully grown.
After your puppy has been with you for three days and is starting to adjust, you should take him to a vet for a check-up. This gives you peace of mind that you have purchased a healthy puppy. If you find any problems, contact the breeder immediately. A good breeder will be alarmed by this and some will take the puppy back and give you a refund. In addition, it is possible that the condition the puppy is suffering from has also affected the other puppies in the litter and the breeder will need to contact the other owners to ensure this is not the case. Most bulldog breeders take great pride in producing quality litters and will go to great lengths to ensure problems are resolved to your satisfaction.
Some vets like to vaccinate puppies at eight weeks, while others want to wait until twelve weeks, so talk to your vet to see what he recommends. It is vital that you do not let your puppy out in public areas until he is fully vaccinated as he could contract a disease such as parvovirus or canine hepatitis which could ultimately kill him.