Owning an American Bulldog is a great responsibility and commitment. With the proper care and training they can be a very loving and loyal member of your family. However there are a few basics that you MUST be aware of and provide for the safety of your family, your dog and the public in general:

1) SOCIALIZATION of your puppy. Your pup should be exposed to people and all manner of situations as a young dog (12 weeks onward) so he will learn acceptable behavior as an adult. Take your dog to the park, the vet, to friend’s homes, etc. Exposure to other people will not lessen his guarding instincts as an adult. Encourage your puppy to be social, but do not force him to be friendly with strangers; let the dog approach strangers at their own speed and with positive reinforcement. Even young dogs will be unwilling to socialize with everyone. Forcing the dog to accept petting from these people may end with undesirable results.

2) BASIC OBEDIENCE TRAINING should begin after 4 months and no later than 6 months old. At a minimum your dog should know the basic obedience commands: "come", "heel", "sit", and "NO" (meaning stop what ever you are doing). We encourage you to take your pup to an obedience class in addition to personal training. Training of the puppy is a MUST or you will NOT be able to control the adult dog.

3) ADEQUATE FENCING cannot be stressed enough. AB’s are very agile and can easily escape a standard 4 foot fence. They need at least a 6 foot fence (preferably solid wood "privacy" fencing) or an enclosed top dog run. They should NEVER be left to roam unattended, especially in residential areas, public parks, or other public areas. They will not generally "go looking" for trouble, but if challenged or threatened they will defend themselves.

4) WARNING SIGNS should be posted on your fences, gates, doors, and entry to your property to warn unsuspecting visitors the property is being protected by a GUARD DOG. You should contact your insurance company and local authorities to determine what is required in your area for your own liability protection.

5) INFORMATION AND EDUCATION of ALL members of your household should be a priority. Be aware that most people have never heard of the American Bulldog and will be unaware of their characteristics. You and your family must be able to respond to the questions others will ask about your dog. You must be aware at ALL TIMES your dog is around strangers and be alert to the actions of irresponsible people and their pets. It is YOUR LEGAL responsibility to keep your dog under control and to prevent others from accidental injury by your dog. Be alert to people and pets approaching your dog.