Training Your Bull Terrier: Best Tips, Common Mistakes, and More!

If you’ve just adopted a bull terrier, you might wonder how to train them!

Make training an engaging game to keep your bull terrier’s interest. Reward them with high-value treats or even bursts of playtime. Avoid aversive training methods and tools, and instead opt for force-free training techniques.

In this article, we’ll discuss training tips, common mistakes people make when training their bull terriers, and more.

Are Bull Terriers Easy to Train?

Bull terriers are independent dogs, which can make training more difficult. They can be stubborn, especially if you don’t approach training in the right ways.

Make training sessions fun and rewarding, and your bull terrier will always want to come back for more! It might take some creativity (and some high-value treats!) but you can make them want to participate.

How do You Discipline a Bull Terrier?

Toss dominance theory and being the “alpha dog” out the window! Instead, focus on rewarding good behaviors, redirecting misbehavior, and searching for the root of any behavioral problems.

For instance, let’s say your bull terrier is peeing in the house. Have you been to the veterinarian to rule out medical problems? Are there any stressors in your dog’s life that can be eliminated or reduced? Have you tried going back to potty training basics, bringing them outside once every hour or so, and using constant supervision?

Another way to prevent misbehavior is management. This means changing our actions so that our dogs aren’t able to misbehave.

Our example for management is a bull terrier who jumps up on guests. Using baby gates to block their access to the front door, or keeping your dog in a playpen until they’re a bit calmer, can help. As can approaching guests on a short leash, holding it so that your dog physically cannot jump up on their hind legs.

Of course, this process also involves giving your bull terrier treats for their good behavior–even if you’re the one making it happen at first.

Socializing Your Bull Terrier

It’s important to expose your bull terrier to a wide variety of experiences at a young age. This includes different types of people, environments, animals, and sounds.

Socialization doesn’t mean meeting every person or dog you see, but teaching your pup to behave when walking past strangers on a walk and politely greet the people they’re allowed to.

Many bull terriers don’t get along well with other dogs even with proper socialization, and this is okay! It’s important to learn dog body language, take any introductions slowly, and keep your dog separated from others if necessary.

Basic Cues for Bull Terrier Puppies to Learn

Training should start as soon as your bull terrier comes home. Begin with basic cues and potty training.

Make sure to take things at your dog’s pace and not rush the process. Have patience and remember that learning takes time.

Here are some basic cues to start you on your training journey:

• Sit
• Lay down
• Stay
• Leave it
• Drop it
• Recall (coming when called)
• Wait (for their food dish, before darting out the front door, etc.)
• Off (when jumping on people)
• Leash manners

Common Bull Terrier Training Mistakes

• Not meeting your dog’s exercise and mental enrichment needs. A dog with a ton of energy and boredom isn’t going to do well during training and will also show more misbehaviors such as chewing and barking.
• Training your bull terrier to be aggressive. Your bull terrier will likely already have strong guarding instincts and doesn’t need to be taught to defend you or your home. Training for bite work or guarding can go terribly wrong, especially if you don’t have experience doing so.
• Using aversive training tools or methods. Aversive training methods promote fear and aggression and worsen your relationship with your dog. They also have a high risk of fallout, which is when the poor behavior returns–often worse than it began.
• Saying “no” without an accompanying “yes.” It’s not enough to teach your bull terrier what you don’t want them doing–they also need to know what you do want from them! For instance, you might want them to sit on their bed instead of jumping on guests.
• Setting them up for failure. Many people expect too much from their dogs without proper training. For instance, any pup is going to eat food left out on the coffee table! To set your dog up for success, keep temptations well out of reach.

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © Valeri Vatel/Shutterstock.com