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Author: Bully Max

How to Know When to Switch to Adult Dog Food

Posted on by Bully Max

puppies in a dog food bowl

“How long should a puppy eat puppy food?” Maybe you’ve wondered this yourself, and rightly so. It can be a confusing topic, but it’s important to know when your puppy is ready to make the transition to adult dog food.

The important thing to realize is that because puppies are still growing, they need more calories and nutrition than adults. In fact, feeding an adult diet to a puppy could lead to nutritional deficiencies.

Likewise, feeding a puppy diet to an adult could cause excessive weight gain and its related issues. This is important to avoid, since obesity is the most common nutrition-related issue for canines. Knowing when to switch to adult dog food will help your puppy grow into a happy, healthy dog.

That being said, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Instead, you’ll want to change from puppy food to dog food based on your dogs’ breed, size, and age. Read on to learn how and when to switch to adult dog food.

When to Switch Puppy to Adult Dog Food

You should switch to adult dog food when your puppy is within the age range of 9-24 months old. As you can see this is quite a big range, so this is just a general rule of thumb. The exact age at which a dog is ready for adult food actually depends on the size of the dog—most dogs should switch to adult food when they are 75-85% of their full adult size.

Toy, Teacup and Tiny Dog Breeds 

Toy, teacup and tiny dog breeds include breeds such as Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, Pomeranian, Miniature Pinscher, etc. Fully grown, these cute little canines generally weigh 12 pounds or less. Most tiny dogs should reach their adult weight, such as it is, around 8-10 months old.

Small Dog Breeds

Small dog breeds include breeds such as Charles Spaniel, French Bulldog, Jack Russell Terrier, Pug, Border Terrier, and Miniature Schnauzer.  Fully grown, they generally weigh between 12 and 25 pounds, and they will typically reach this adult weight at 8-12 months of age.

Medium Dog Breeds

Medium dog breeds include breeds such as Border Collie, Bulldog, Cocker Spaniel, Corgi, English Springer Spaniel, Basset Hound, and Barbet. These dogs will reach a total of around 25 and 50 pounds at around 10-12 months of age.

Large Dog Breeds

Large dog breeds include breeds such as Golden Retriever, Bloodhound, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd Dog, Alaskan Malamute, Boxer, Pitbull, and Labrador Retriever. At 12-18 months of age, these dogs will reach their adult weight of 50 and 100 pounds.

Giant Dog Breeds

Giant dog breeds include breeds such as Bernese Mountain Dog, Bullmastiff, Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, Great Dane, Irish Wolfhound, Akita, etc. These dogs will typically reach their adult weight between 12 and 24 months. Fully grown their weight can easily exceed 100 pounds (which is why you shouldn’t let one of these dogs step on your toe!).

Why Should You Switch From Puppy Food to Adult Dog Food?

A puppy’s needs are not the same as an adult’s. Puppy foods have greater quantities of certain nutrients, including calories, because puppies require more macronutrients and minerals than an adult dog of the same size and weight.

This important stage of growth and development requires a lot of energy, after all!

This is why puppies are at risk for nutritional deficiencies and malnourishment if they are fed adult dog food. Adult dog foods have been designed to accommodate the decrease of energy levels and growth that comes with maturity. Rich puppy food can easily cause obesity and myriad other health problems for adult dogs, not least of which is hip and elbow dysplasia, so it’s important to know when to switch to adult dog food.

The Difference Between Puppy Food and Dog Food

So what’s the difference between puppy food and dog food, anyways? For starters, puppies need more protein and fat than an adult dog of the same size. They also require higher concentrations of certain minerals, vitamins, and amino acids.

For this reason, puppy food is more calorie- and nutrient-dense. You will find essential nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and chloride all in greater concentrations in puppy food. Sometimes puppy foods are also supplemented with things such as extra omega-3 fatty acids. These can support healthy eye and brain development.

Keep in mind that larger breeds can be at a greater risk of developmental diseases as a result of overly rapid growth. This is why large breed puppy foods have a little less fat, calcium, and phosphorus. They also have a very carefully balanced ratio of calcium to phosphorus. This ensures that they develop and grow at an appropriate and healthy pace.

How to Switch Your Dog’s Diet to Adult Dog Food

Think it’s time to make the switch from puppy food to adult dog food? Great! The key thing to keep in mind here is that it’s a process.

With that in mind, the best way to transition is slowly. Even if you’re transitioning to a well-balanced, high quality dog food, transitioning too fast can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other issues related to digestion. This can even potentially lead to your dog refusing or disliking that particular type of dog food, because they associate it with feeling sick. 

So ease into it. When it’s time to make the switch, start by feeding your dog 80 percent puppy food and 20 percent adult food. A few days later, increase the amount of adult dog food to 40 percent, and reduce the amount of puppy food to 60 percent.

Follow this pattern of increasing the amount of adult dog food, and make sure that you are removing the same amount of puppy food that you are adding in adult food. You don’t have to follow a strict and exact formula here, but you will want to make the transition over a period of at least 7 days, and preferably 10-14 days.

And if you run into any difficulties getting your dog to eat the new food, make sure to check out our guide on how to get your dog to eat. It has some helpful tips that might make the transition easier.

Bully Max: A Dog Food For All Ages

Transitioning to adult dog food the right way is a simple but important step to ensure your furry best friend is healthy and happy. Just make sure you make the switch at the appropriate time based on the breed of your dog. And always remember to transition your dogs’ food gently and gradually, over a period of one to two weeks.

Another option is to choose an “All Life Stages” formula, which is a dog food that’s been formulated and approved for both puppies and adults. Here at Bully Max, we produce an high protein dog food that’s packed with natural, healthy and high quality ingredients—and it’s an All Life Stages formula, making it a perfect choice for your dog no matter how old.

They grow up so fast, don’t they?

Signs of Dog Depression: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Posted on by Bully Max

sad dog laying on a rug

Just like people, dogs can suffer from depression.  Depression in dogs can be a lifelong issue they deal with or come in short term bouts. The causes of dog depression vary as much as potential treatments. Identifying the cause of your dog’s issues will be vital in determining the proper course of action to get them back to feeling great and keeping them healthy and happy.

Can Dogs Get Depressed?

Due to the obvious communication challenges between humans and dogs, veterinarians still aren’t sure if dogs suffer from depression as we understand it. The prevailing opinion seems to be that dogs CAN experience short-term bouts of feeling “down”—especially during life events that are stressful or anxiety-producing. But the good news is, dogs are NOT likely to suffer from long-term depression the way people do.

Dog Depression Symptoms

There is no one symptom of depression. Lethargy, not eating or eating less than usual, showing no or less interest in play time or receiving affection, isolating themselves from members of their family (both human and canine) can all be dog depression symptoms. Due to lack of eating, sudden and drastic weight loss can lead to a whole host of other health issues not directly related to their mental health.  

Just because your dog may be showing one or all of the symptoms does not necessarily mean they have depression. If you do notice any of these you should bring your dog to a veterinarian to be fully checked out especially if the change happens suddenly. Lyme disease, for example, and many other health issues can have similar symptoms.  

sad dog laying on couch

Dog Depression Causes

One of the most common reasons for dog depression is a change in the dog’s environment.  Even if the change is for the better, such as rescuing a dog from a shelter or a bad home, a new house can hamper your dogs mental health.  

Grief is another major cause. If you had a death in the family, you may not be the only one mourning. According to one study of over 400 dog and cat owners, 75% reported behavioral changes in their surviving animals. The behavioral changes varied from seeking more attention from their owners (typical needy behavior) to seeking less attention, eating less and lethargy/laziness. This particular study focused on the death of another animal in the home, not losing a person the dog was close to.

Picking up on your emotions can also lead a dog to be depressed. If you, especially as the primary caretaker of the dog, are depressed or particularly inactive it can negatively affect them as well. Dogs have been shown to be very adept at adjusting their mood to the people around them.  

Virtually any health problems can also cause depression. Just like us, if you’re not feeling your best physically it can affect mood and mental health.  

Dog Depression Treatment

First and foremost, your dog should be brought to their veterinarian if you think anything may be wrong. Once they have been cleared of any physical health issues you can start working on your furry friends mental health.  

There are medications you can give your dog to help with depression. The same medications that are often prescribed to people with depression can be given to a dog. You will always want to consult your vet before giving any prescription medication to your dog. Do not just start your dog on an antidepressant without proper medical clearance.  

Most of the time depression in dogs can pass without medicating the animal. It can take days, weeks, or even months but most dogs will pull through without the need for pills. There are many reasons why your dog could be feeling down, and we’ve put together our advice to address some common causes of dog depression.

Exercise

One of the best ways to get your dog out of their slump is getting more active. Exercise has been shown to increase our feel good hormones and chemicals and the same is true for your furry friend. Getting out and walking the dog more often and having more play sessions may be all they need to pick themselves up.

Rewarding Happy Behavior

Whether you are housebreaking a new pup or training an old dog new tricks, they thrive off positive reinforcement. This is true of reinforcing most behaviors. When you see your depressed dog playing or asking for affection, rewarding that behavior will help cement that feeling in their mind.  

You will also not want to reward depressed behavior. Sometimes our first instinct when seeing a moping dog is to give treats or affection to brighten their mood. Doing this may cause your dog to think you are rewarding that behavior instead of trying to change it.

Environmental Change

If you believe the source of the issue may be a recent move, try to make sure you have some of their favorite old toys, bedding and other items around that will help the transition. This is something that the dog will typically pull themselves out of after a time. Once they become accustomed to the new home they should perk right back up, some dogs just take longer to adjust than others.  

Grief

If your dog is grieving the loss of another pet, sometimes the best way to help them out is to get another one. Even a short term fostering of another dog has been shown to make dogs happier and get them over their grief. This can be more complicated as sometimes a dog will not take to a new additional dog very well. If you decide to go this route make sure you have the dogs meet at least once, more preferably several times, before you bring the new dog into your home.

If the dog is grieving the loss of a human, whether it’s a child moving away or the death of a loved one, there is not as much you can do about it. Dogs need time to grieve just like we all do, giving the dog time and love will be the best, and your vet can advise on medication in this circumstance.

sad dog looking away

Dog Depression Medication

If nothing you are doing is helping your dog, you should consider seeking out a behavior specialist in your area. When it comes to this type of issue they may be even more qualified and experienced than your vet to help the dog. Make sure you do your research and select the right person to help your animal recover.  

There is no single reason or treatment to help your dog with depression. There is typically a root cause but many factors play into mental health of both humans and dogs. Your dog may be suffering from several situations at once which can build on top of each other. As such instead of only doing one treatment, try multiple. Get your dog more exercise, reward happy behavior, keep their environment as steady as possible, look into possible medication as well. Some of the most commonly prescribed options include buspirone, fluoxetine, and clomipramine.

Sometimes a single treatment is just one piece of the puzzle and putting all of them together will greatly benefit your animal and your relationship to them.

Bully Max is Hosting a Drive-Thru Pet Food Distribution Event in Pittsburgh

Posted on by Bully Max

Bully Max dog food is holding a Drive-Thru Pet Food Distribution Event. This event is being held for dog owners in the Pittsburgh area that are struggling to feed their dogs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bully Max is offering a total of 8,000 pounds of Bully Max dog food at no cost. The food being offered is an all natural 5/5 star rated formula that is suitable for both puppies and adult dogs.

The pet food will be loaded into cars by workers wearing gloves and masks.

Those who are picking up food are also asked to wear face masks and to stay in their vehicle.

Food will be distributed on a first come first serve basis.

Date: April 26th, 2020
Time: 12:00PM – 2:00PM
Location: Mt Troy Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Frequent asked questions:

What type of food is being offered? Bully Max all life stages formula (suitable for puppies and adults).

Is the food natural? Yes, It’s all natural and made in the USA.

What flavor is the food? Chicken.

How much food can I get? We’re offering 30 pounds per household.

How long will the food last? 30 pounds of Bully Max dog food will typically be enough food to feed a dog for 4-6 weeks.

Update:

Bully Max donated over 8,000 pounds of food to local dog owners in need. We would like to thank everyone who attended.

What Fruits and Vegetables Can Dogs Eat?

Posted on by Bully Max

What Fruits and Vegetables Can Dogs Eat

On the hunt for healthy foods to feed your dog? Look no further: in this article, you’ll find a complete list of the fruits and vegetables dogs can eat—and which ones they should avoid.

Armed with this information, you can supplement your dog’s normal diet with healthy fruits and veggies from time to time to give them some additional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Keep in mind, as you’re reading, that your dog won’t thrive on a purely vegetarian diet. Dogs are primarily carnivores, which means they need a high-quality source of animal protein to be healthy and happy. If you’re having trouble getting your dog to eat the right foods, check out our article on how to get your dog to eat everything you give them. And if your dog is underweight or a hard-gainer, consider supplementing their diet with a dog weight gainer.

And now without further ado, here are the best and worst fruits and vegetables for dogs.

Fruits Dogs Can Eat

You aren’t the first person to wonder: can dogs eat fruit? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t as simple as “yes” or “no.” Some fruits are perfectly safe and even healthy for dogs to eat, while others can be potentially harmful. So, what fruits can dogs eat? We’ll break them out into two groups to make it clear which is which. We’ll start with the fruits that are safe for dogs:

Apples

A lot of people wonder, can dogs eat apples? In this case, we’re happy to say that yes, you can feed your dog apples with no worries. Apples are a good source of nutrients like vitamins A & C, fiber, and antioxidants such as quercetin. Just keep in mind dogs won’t bother to eat around the core, so you’ll need to remove the core and seeds first.

Bananas

Next up: are bananas safe for dogs to eat? Yep, this is another good source of nutrition for your furry little friend. Bananas are a great source of potassium and fiber. They can be high in sugar, though, so exercise moderation. (You’ll also need to remove the peel, obviously; an excited dog might try to swallow it whole and end up choking.)

Blueberries

Yes, dogs can eat blueberries. These little blue superfoods are bursting with antioxidants and polyphenols, which help protect your dog’s body from harmful free radicals. Blueberries are easy to add to your dog’s food bowl as a nutritious addition to their meal, or you can feed them separately for a treat.

Cantaloupe

Believe it or not, your dog can eat cantaloupe too. The nice thing about cantaloupe is that it has a high water content, so it helps your dog stay hydrated on those hot summer days. Just don’t overdo it, because like many fruits, it also has a high sugar content.

Cranberries

Cranberries are another fruit that’s safe for your dog to eat. Although keep in mind your dog may not be a big fan of their tart flavor—cranberries are rarely eaten raw due to their strong taste. If your dog does happen to like cranberries, you can feel good knowing they’ll be getting a strong dose of antioxidants and healthy flavonols.

Mangoes

Yes, your dog can eat mangoes. This delicious fruit has a handful of different nutrients including beta-carotene, making it a fairly healthy snack. Just be aware of two things: one, you’ll need to remove the pit first to make sure your dog doesn’t choke. And two, mango is quite high in sugar, so only feed your dog mangoes in moderation.

Oranges

If you’re wondering will oranges hurt dogs, the answer is no—this is another healthy fruit your dog can enjoy. Oranges are well-known for being high in vitamin C, a nutrient that’s as good for your dog as it is for you. Just make sure to peel it for them.

Peaches

Peaches are another sweet, healthy fruit your dog is liable to enjoy. They contain vitamin A, an important nutrient, and make a great snack for dogs and humans alike. Be aware that their pits contain cyanide, so you definitely want to remove those before giving any peaches to your dog.

Pears

Are pears good for dogs? Turns out this is another fruit that’s A-OK for little Fido to snack on. This fruit contains a mixture of healthy nutrients like fiber, copper, and vitamin K. One bit of advice, though, is to give your dog fresh pears and skip the canned stuff—it’s often packaged in sugary liquid.

Pineapples

Will pineapple hurt dogs? Nope! This is another great choice for a healthy doggy snack. One unique benefit of pineapple is the fact that it’s high in digestive enzymes, which means it can help improve the digestion of other food. For that reason, it might be a good dietary addition for a dog with digestive issues.

Raspberries

Raspberries are an especially nutrient-dense fruit that’s perfectly fine for dogs. They’re low in sugar compared to other fruits, high in fiber, and contain a load of beneficial antioxidants.

Strawberries

Can your dog eat strawberries? Yep! This is another healthy snack for dogs. Strawberries are a great source of fiber and vitamin C and make a delicious treat.

Watermelon

Will watermelon hurt dogs? Nope—as long as you remove the seeds and rind first, this is a fine snack. In fact, similar to cantaloupe, watermelon is another fruit with a high water content that can help prevent dehydration.

Fruits Dogs Can’t Eat

Here’s a short list of the few fruits you should avoid giving to your dog. Each of these fruits contains a chemical, toxin, or other substance that can be unhealthy or even dangerous for dogs.

Avocado

Avocado is a healthy fruit for humans, but not your dog. The reason why: a toxin called persin. It’s generally considered harmless in humans, but it can lead to diarrhea and vomiting in dogs. Sorry, Spot—no guacamole for you!

Cherries

Believe it or not, cherry plants contain enough cyanide to potentially cause cyanide poisoning in dogs. Cyanide poisoning is a condition that robs your dog’s blood cells of oxygen, which could cause dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, and bright red gums.

Grapes

Grapes are an absolute no-no for dogs. We actually aren’t sure why grapes are so dangerous for dogs, but we do know this fruit has proven to be so toxic to dogs that it can even lead to acute kidney failure. Definitely keep them away from your dog.

Tomatoes

The fruit of a tomato itself is generally safe for dogs, but the green part contains the toxic solanine that can make your dog sick. And so, while tomatoes aren’t as bad as some fruits on this list, it’s still probably a good idea to just avoid them in your dog’s diet.

Vegetables Dogs Can Eat

Vegetables are well-known for being a healthy food, and the following vegetables are good choices for your dog. Vegetables have a couple of great benefits, such as being low in sugar and high in fiber and vitamins. So if you’re interested in adding a few to your dog’s diet, here are the vegetables safe for dogs to eat.

Broccoli

Broccoli is an extremely nutritious vegetable that won’t hurt dogs, so feel free to add it to their diet once in a while—but make sure to cut it up, because the stalks could pose a definite choking hazard. Also, just keep in mind broccoli can lead to some gastric irritation in some dogs.

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts are a good choice for dogs. They’re healthy, low in calories, and loaded with vitamins and minerals. The only warnings you should keep in mind are: one, be careful of choking; and two, be aware that Brussels Sprouts can make your dog gassy. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Carrots

Can dogs eat carrots? We’re happy to say that yes, they can. Carrots are the quintessential source of beta carotene, a form of vitamin A that’s considered good for eye health. Another little-known benefit to carrots is the fact that their crunchy texture can help clean plaque off your dog’s teeth. Bonus!

Celery

If you’re wondering if celery will hurt dogs, we’ve got good news. Celery is a good choice for canines. It contains some trace vitamins and minerals, is extremely low in calories, and has a fairly high water content for a vegetable. It can also help clean teeth (like carrots), and might even freshen up your dog’s breath.

Green Beans

Green beans are another good choice for dogs. They’re a good source of vitamins A, C, and K; dietary fiber; and folic acid. They’re a low-calorie snack your dog might really enjoy. (Just avoid green beans with added sodium if you’re buying them canned.)

Peas

Are peas okay for dogs? Yep! You can feed many different kinds of peas to your dog—like snow peas, green peas, snap peas, and more. Because they’re small and soft, they’re easy to add to your dog’s bowl without any extra prep—and you don’t have to worry about them choking, either.

Spinach

If you’re wondering if spinach is good for dogs, the answer is yes—this leafy green is generally safe for dogs. Keep in mind, that while spinach is an extremely nutritious choice for Popeye, dogs should only eat spinach in moderation. The reason? Spinach contains something called oxalic acid, which might potentially lead to kidney damage in dogs who eat way too much of it.

Vegetables Dogs Can’t Eat

Vegetables aren’t always a healthy choice. Here are the vegetables you should avoid giving your dog due to toxins and other health concerns.

Asparagus

Not many people realize it, but asparagus isn’t a very healthy vegetable for dogs. Cooking destroys the beneficial nutrients, and it’s too rough to be eaten raw. So save your money and choose a better option for your dog instead.

Mushrooms

Will mushrooms hurt dogs? Unfortunately, the answer is yes—they can. Not all mushrooms are toxic, but some are…and there’s no way to be sure if store-bought mushrooms fall into that category or not. Your best bet is to play it safe and just skip the mushrooms.

Onions

Avoid giving your dogs onions, as well as other vegetables in the Allium family (such as chives and leeks). These plants are poisonous to many pets. They can cause stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and even lead to ruptured red blood cells. Don’t feel bad, though. Most dogs would probably rather just eat some chicken.

In the End: The Best Food for Dogs is Dog Food

The fact that you’re researching which fruits and vegetables to feed your dog is admirable. And in moderation, some of the approved choices above can be a healthy addition to your dog’s diet.

But keep in mind that the best food for your dog is dog food. Why? Dog food has been specially formulated to contain all the most important nutrients your dog needs, in the right ratios.

Here at Bully Max, we sell a high protein dog food that’s loaded with stuff dogs love in a delicious chicken-based formula. It’s the only performance dog food to get a 5/5 rating from DogFoodAdvisor. We guarantee it will fuel your dog with the energy they need to look, perform, and feel their very best.

Top 10 Interactive Dog Toys in 2023 for Your Pup

Posted on by Bully Max

Want a way to keep your dog entertained and healthy, without having to go on walk after walk? If so, you may be interested in an interactive dog toy that your dog can play with on their own.

The best interactive dog toys are fun enough to engage your dog, without requiring your time or attention. They’re a good source of exercise and mental stimulation. And hopefully, they’re durable and won’t cost a leg and a paw.

Read on to learn more about what you should look for in an interactive dog toy, plus a comparison of 10 of the most popular interactive dog toys on the market today.

 

Interactive Dog Toys Comparison Table

Here’s an overview of the 10 toys we’ll be reviewing below:

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Now let’s dive into each of these unique dog toys in more detail…

Interactive Dog Toy #1: Pet Fitness Robot

The Pet Fitness Robot is a cool example of what a smart dog toy can do. This little bone-shaped toy rolls around, goading your dog into playing with it. And to keep your dog’s attention, it intermittently releases a few dog treats.

It’s not exactly world-class exercise, and it’s not the equivalent of real interaction. But it can be a fine stop-gap for those days when you just don’t have enough time to play with your dog as much as you’d like.

 

Pros

  • Fully interactive electronic dog toy
  • Releases treats to keep your dog’s attention
  • Comes with protective case

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Only provides light activity
  • May be too small & fragile for bigger dogs

Features

  • Price: $119.00
  • Best For: Little dogs
  • Durability: 7/10
  • Exercise Level Provided: Light
  • Special Feature: Rolls around and dispenses treats

Pet Fitness Interactive Dog Toy

Interactive Dog Toy #2: Bully Max Indestructible Dog Ball

No list of dog toys would be complete without our very own Indestructible Dog Ball. This is the ultimate chewing ball, which makes it a must-have for every dog. We’re so confident that it will never, ever break that we provide a lifetime replacement warranty.

Another great thing about this type of toy is that it can be as interactive or manual as you want. In other words, your dog can play with it alone, or together with you—making it a highly versatile dog toy.

 

Pros

  • Indestructible, even for power chewers!
  • Lifetime replacement warranty
  • Floats in water & highly visible
  • 100% safe, non-toxic, & dishwasher safe
  • Built for all breeds, sizes, & ages

Cons

  • Unlike some other toys on this list, it doesn’t have any special electronic parts (although in our experience, the more complicated toys are more likely to break)

Features

  • Price: $16.95
  • Best For: Power Chewers
  • Durability: 10/10
  • Exercise Level Provided: Variable (Low-High)
  • Special Feature: Indestructible, floats in water, highly visible, non-toxic, & dishwasher-safe

 

Bully Max Interactive Dog Toy

Interactive Dog Toy #3: Puzzle Brick

The Puzzle Brick is a perfect example of a toy that provides mental (rather than physical) stimulation. This challenging dog toy forces your dog to solve a puzzle to get at the treats inside, which means if you’re short on time you can set up the puzzle and leave your dog to figure it out on their own.

(Just be warned: some dogs have learned that they can “throw” the toy against the wall as an easy way to get the food out. It’s cheating, but it works!)

 

Pros

  • Provides mental stimulation
  • Motivates your dog with the promise of treats

Cons

  • Doesn’t provide physical exercise
  • Hard chewers might just chew their way through the puzzle

Features

  • Price: $19.99
  • Best For: Curious or intelligent dogs
  • Durability: 4/10
  • Exercise Level Provided: Mental
  • Special Feature:  Forces dogs to solve a fun challenge to earn treats

 

Puzzle Brick Interactive Dog Toy

 

Interactive Dog Toy #4: Doggie Tail Interactive Plush Toy

The Doggie Tail Interactive Plush Toy is a fairly basic active dog toy that wiggles, vibrates, and barks as a way to encourage your dog to play with it. Its motion-activated play sessions are sure to keep your dog’s tail wagging…at least as long as it holds up, which isn’t likely to be too long. At least you can buy replacement covers after your dog rips it to shreds.

 

Pros

  • Provides fairly good physical exercise
  • Does a good job of encouraging your dog to play with it
  • Requires batteries (which is better than having to recharge it after every use, in our opinion)

Cons

  • Unfortunately, any dog that is even remotely a hard chewer will absolutely destroy this thing

Features

  • Price: $15.93
  • Best For: Gentle chewers
  • Durability: 1/10
  • Exercise Level Provided: Medium
  • Special Feature: Wiggles, vibrates, & barks

 

Doggie Tail Interactive Plush Toy

 

Interactive Dog Toy #5: Snuffle Mat

We just saw a toy that forces your dog to solve a puzzle to get a treat. Now with the Snuffle Mat, here’s one that encourages your dog to sniff and forage for food. It’s a unique dog toy idea; the creators claim it improves sensitivity and stress release by mimicking the hunt for food in nature.

For the pricetag, you don’t have much to lose. It’s machine-washable, which is nice, though we have our concerns about how well it will hold up with a harder-chewing dog.

 

Pros

  • Engages your dog’s sense of smell
  • Mimics the natural hunt for food
  • Machine washable

Cons

  • Not very durable
  • Doesn’t provide much physical exercise

Features

  • Price: $25.74
  • Best For: Small & medium dogs
  • Durability: 3/10
  • Exercise Level Provided: Mental
  • Special Feature:  Lets dogs sniff and forage for food

 

Snuffle Mat Interactive Dog Toy

 

Interactive Dog Toy #6: Wickedbone Smart Bone

The Wickedbone Smart Bone is a great example of a smart dog toy. This bone-shaped toy is programmed to attract your dog’s attention, keeping them occupied while you’re busy with other things. Our main complaint is the battery, which needs regular recharging. Yeah, it only takes an hour to charge…but it’s still another chore to add to your plate.

 

Pros

  • Plays with your dog automatically
  • Comes with an app
  • Lots of smart features like auto-play mode

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Questionable durability
  • Needs recharging

Features

  • Price: $99.00
  • Best For: Dogs that get bored easily
  • Durability: 5/10
  • Exercise Level Provided: Light
  • Special Feature: Programmable toy attracts your dog’s attention

 

Wickedbone Smart Bone Interactive Dog Toy

 

Interactive Dog Toy #7: iFetch Interactive Ball Launchers

The iFetch Interactive Ball Launcher operates on a genius idea: it’s an automatic ball-launcher to play fetch with your dog. Why didn’t we think of that?! Every dog loves fetch, which makes this a great (if costly) interactive dog toy. There’s also a mental component to it: your dog has to put the ball back in the top hole to launch it again.

 

The iFetch comes in two sizes. The more expensive version is bigger and launches 2.5” tennis balls, while the cheaper version is smaller and launches 1.5” balls.

 

 Pros

  • Provides great physical exercise
  • Also provides mental stimulation
  • You can adjust the throwing distance (10, 20, 30 ft)

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Large model requires recharging

Features

  • Price: $123.32 – $199.99
  • Best For: All dogs
  • Durability: 8/10
  • Exercise Level Provided: High
  • Special Feature:  Automatically shoots balls for your dog to fetch

 

iFetch Interactive Ball Launchers

Interactive Dog Toy #8: Furbo Dog Camera

The Furbo Dog Camera is a little different than many other toys on this list in that it doesn’t encourage much exercise. But it does give you a way to interact and “play” with your dog, even when you’re not home, using the smart toy’s app and/or an Amazon Alexa. You can record your dog while you’re away and even give them treats to reward them for staying off the couch while you’re gone.

 

Pros

  • Lets you monitor your dog, when when you’re away
  • Lets you feed your dog treats remotely
  • Works via app and Amazon Alexa

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Doesn’t encourage much exercise
  • Requires technical setup

Features

  • Price: $185.00
  • Best For: Owners who miss seeing their dog’s face
  • Durability: 4/10
  • Exercise Level Provided: Minimal
  • Special Feature:  
  • Allows you to monitor, record, and feed your dog treats

 

Furbo Dog Camera Interactive Dog Toy

 

Interactive Dog Toy #9: Wobbler Treat Dispensing Toy

The Wobbler Treat Dispensing Toy is an interactive dog toy with a simple concept that’s executed well. Just fill it with food and watch as your dog knocks it around, trying to get the food out. It does a great job of keeping dogs occupied.

 

Pros

  • Keeps your dog engaged for a long time with no supervision
  • Prevents rapid eating

 Cons

  • Some reviewers claim it can dispense too much food, too quickly

Features

  • Price: $19.73
  • Best For: Larger dogs (25 lbs and up)
  • Durability: 7/10
  • Exercise Level Provided: Light/Mental
  • Special Feature: Wobbles and dispenses treats slowly over time

 

Wobbler Treat Dispensing Toy

 

Interactive Dog Toy #10: Trixie Mad Scientist for Dogs

By now, you may have noticed a trend: many interactive dog toys rely on the slow release of treats to keep dogs engaged and entertained. The Trixie Mad Scientist for Dogs is no different. Trixie offers several toys like this that use little tubes to gradually release a little food at a time. It’s another easy way to keep your dog engaged and entertained with minimum effort.

 

Pros

  • Provides mental stimulation
  • Slows down feeding

Cons

  • Not very durable
  • Doesn’t provide much physical exercise

Features

  • Price: $16.48
  • Best For: Curious or intelligent dogs
  • Durability: 2/10
  • Exercise Level Provided: Light/Mental
  • Special Feature: Forces dogs to turn the windmill to ear treats

 

Trixie Mad Scientist for Interactive Dogs

 

What’s The Best Interactive Dog Toy For You?

Hopefully by now you have a better idea of which dog toy makes the most sense for your four-legged friend. Just remember that there’s no single best answer; there are many different toys your dog is liable to love. The best solution, at the end of the day, will probably involve a combination of several different types of toys to give your dog more variety and stimulation.

And of course, always keep in mind that interactive dog toys should never replace real interaction between you and your dog!

Looking for even more ways to exercise your dog? One of the most effective tools out there is a flirt pole. To find out about what flirt poles are and how to use them, check out our guide on how to build a flirt pole for your dog.

How to Stop Dog Pulling on Leash (In 15 Minutes Flat)

Posted on by Bully Max

Does your dog pull on the leash when you walk it?

This is a really common problem that can be annoying for owners. After all, walking your dog should be enjoyable…but it’s no fun walking a dog when it seems like they are trying to drag you along the sidewalk after them.

Fortunately, there’s a really clever solution to this problem that can stop your dog from pulling on the leash—and it usually works in about 15 minutes flat.

Why Do Dogs Pull on the Leash?

First, it can help to understand a few of the different reasons why dogs pull on the leash:

  • Because it gets them where they’re trying to go! Dogs get excited and want to explore, and they quickly learn if they pull on the leash, it lets them go where they want.
  • Because they’re faster than we are! And if they pull on the leash, it gets them there faster.
  • Because they’re untrained! And they don’t know any better. (At least, not yet.)

Luckily, you CAN train dogs to stop engaging in this annoying behavior. Here’s a quick and easy tip to try out the next time you take your dog for a walk:

Change Direction Every Time Your Dog Pulls

This tip is so simple, it might seem like it couldn’t possibly work…but it does! Just follow this advice and you can create long-lasting change in your dog’s behavior in just 10-20 minutes flat.

Yes, it even works for hyper dogs that pull on the leash non-stop.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1) Walk your dog as normal.

Step 2) Anytime they start to pull, instantly pivot and start walking in the opposite direction. Do it fast enough that it jerks the dog around.

Step 3) Repeat this process every time your dog pulls.

And that’s it!

It sounds so simple that it seems like it couldn’t possibly be effective…but you’ll be amazed by how well this trick works.

How Does It Work?

Basically it just trains your dog to avoid that sensation of having the collar tug against their neck, because they begin to associate that feeling with being jerked around in the opposite direction. It throws off the dog’s desire to be in the lead.

You might look a little strange changing directions in the neighborhood, but not to worry—for a lot of people, all it takes is 1 trip around the block using this technique to make their dog stop pulling.

That’s all it takes to turn walking the dog into a much more pleasant experience.

Just remember, as with any behavior training technique, it’s all about consistency. Make the commitment to do this technique every time your dog pulls, and you CAN create a lasting change in your dog’s behavior that will make all your walks more enjoyable for you.

(And this will probably lead to more walks for the dog, which will improve their quality of life too!)

The Right Accessories Can Help

If pulling is a problem for your dog, try using a pinch collar or a no-pull collar that will make it physically uncomfortable for your dog to pull. It doesn’t always work, but it can help to discourage this unwanted behavior.

While You’re At It, Reward Your Dog With a Tasty Treat from Bully Max

To make your walks even more enjoyable, grab a bag of our Bully Max Soft Chews. These tasty treats are perfect for a long walk, and a great way to reward your dog for their new behavior. It can also help stave off hunger in case they start to get “hangry” halfway through a walk. :)

Bonus leash training tips:

5 Must Read Tips: How to Pick a Puppy That’s Right for You | Bully Max

Posted on by Bully Max

Thinking about getting a puppy?

Adding a puppy to your family can be one of the happiest things you ever do. A good dog can bring so much joy to a household.

And of course, we love ALL dogs here. But we also recognize that some dogs will be a better fit for different people.

That’s why we put together this guide. It will teach you some of the most important things to consider when you’re considering a puppy.

Of course, no evaluation method is ever foolproof. But it certainly can be helpful to know a handful of specific things to look for when you’re picking out a puppy.

Read on to get our best tips to help you pick the perfect puppy for you and your family.

First, Find a Reputable Breeder 

This might be the single most important tip in this entire blog post:

Go to a reputable breeder!

A good breeder will have a whole litter of great pups to choose from. And if they know what they’re doing, then you can be confident that you will be getting a high-quality dog with a better chance of being healthy and loving for years to come.

You’ll also be doing your part to encourage better breeding by supporting breeders who are doing their due diligence to breed responsibly.

Ask for references and research the breeder extensively. A few breeders we recommend are Manmade Kennels, Carolina Bully Farms, and The Incredibullz.

What’s the Best Age to Pick a Puppy?

You can pick a puppy anytime, but we’ve found that 8 weeks old is a good time to choose a puppy. That’s because by 8 weeks, your puppy will probably be developed enough that you’ll be able to confidently know what kind of dog you’d getting.

If you choose a puppy younger than 8 weeks, there’s a chance that it hasn’t matured yet and its personality or physical traits might still change.

The 5 Most Important Things to Evaluate Your Puppy On

Now let’s get into the details. Generally speaking there are 5 things we recommend looking at when evaluating a puppy.

Temperament

When we talk about your dog’s temperament, think of it like the report card you might get in kindergarten. Essentially you’re trying to discover if the dog “plays nice with others” or not.

And this includes how the puppy interacts both with humans and with other dogs.

First, observe how the puppy interacts with the other pups from the litter. Do they have a dominant or docile personality? Are they generally agreeable or do they have a tendency to become aggressive?

Watch out for puppies that show signs of aggressive “resource guarding,” such as trying to hoard food or toys for themselves.

Then watch how the puppies associate with people. Do they seem to like people? Does the puppy come to you if you call it?

Puppies are generally curious creatures and should enjoy meeting you. If the puppy seems afraid of people or even hostile toward them, that could be a warning sign for behavior issues later in life.

Overall Health

Take a careful look at the puppy’s appearance. Do they look healthy? Here are a few things to look for:

  • Their coat should be shiny, without flakes or bald spots.
  • Look at their gait. It’s normal for pups to be clumsy, but they shouldn’t limp or favor one leg over another.
  • Their legs should face forward and not be excessively rotated.
  • Bright, clear eyes.
  • Clean teeth and gums.
  • They should have a healthy appetite.
  • Check the skin on their belly—it shouldn’t have any redness or inflammation.
  • They should have a good energy level with natural curiosity. (At the same time, it is natural and normal for puppies to nap a lot.)
  • They shouldn’t be scratching themselves excessively.

Finally, keep in mind that some breeds are predisposed to certain health conditions. If that’s the case, ask the breeder about it. Ideally, they will have a certificate showing that the parents have tested negative for those common disorders.

Structurally Correct

Once a pup reaches 8 weeks old, you should be able to take a look at the dog and get a pretty good idea of how it is going to look. At this point you should be able to see any structural deformities that could develop into problems later in life.

This is a helpful post with more details on some of the structural qualities to look for in a dog.

Working Drive and Ability

If you’re looking for a dog to perform work or participate in sports or other active events, you’ll want to evaluate the dog’s drive. Do they have a lot of energy, strength, and speed?

Keep in mind that “arousal” and “drive” are not necessarily the same thing. Drive refers to a focused commitment to a specific goal, while arousal could just mean a dog that is easily excitable. Generally speaking, you want a dog that can stay focused on the task at hand.

Spend some time playing with the puppy to get a good idea of this—especially if you’re looking for a dog for some specific physical task or sport.

Personality

Take some time to observe the puppy’s behavior. Even among puppies from the same litter, you’ll always find differences in personality. Some will be alpha dogs with a dominant personality, while others will be quieter and more docile.

There’s no one personality that is better than another. This is a chance to think about your own personality and what kind of dog will be the best fit for your household.

3 More Factors to Keep in Mind

Here are a few more things to consider when meeting your puppy.

Make Sure to Meet the Parents

If at all possible, you should also meet the puppy’s parents. This can give you a really good idea of what kind of dog your puppy will grow up to be.

When you meet the parents, go through the same steps you did for the puppy itself. Evaluate the parents to see if they seem healthy, happy, and friendly.

Inspect How the Pups Are Being Kept

Take a little time to inspect the puppy’s environment. Are they kept in a yard, a pen, or indoors? Is the area clean, without any persistent smells, garbage, or clutter?

It might not seem important, but the puppy’s environment can give you a clue into how much effort the breeder is putting into raising them. A messy, negative, or even unsafe environment could be a red flag that something is not right with this breeder.

What Do You Want the Puppy For?

Finally, don’t lose sight of the real reason you want a puppy. Someone who’s looking for a show dog will have different expectations than someone who wants a working dog, which will be different from someone looking for a pet.

If your new dog is going to be a pet, it’s definitely a good idea to talk with your spouse or other family members to make sure everyone is on-board with what kind of dog you will prefer. This pup is going to be with your family for years, so take the time to make sure it will really fit in at your home.

What NOT to Base Your Decision On

Now that you have some things to look for, here are 2 things that should NOT be your deciding factor. These are 2 common mistakes that people make when choosing a puppy.

Don’t Choose a Puppy Just Because It Approaches You First

A lot of people will think that the first puppy to run up to you is somehow “choosing you.” It’s a cute thought, but in reality it doesn’t work that way. If a certain puppy happens to run up to you when you arrive, it might just be because that particular puppy happens to be more awake while its brothers and sisters are asleep or in a more restful mood. If you had arrived an hour earlier or later, it’s likely that a different puppy would have approached you first.

Don’t Choose a Puppy Based on its Color

It’s OK to have a color preference, but don’t let that be your deciding factor. The other things we’ve mentioned in this post are much more important than just the color. Remember, this is going to become a living, breathing member of your family…it’s not a piece of furniture to be chosen based on a color scheme.

A Few Helpful Tools

There are some evaluation tools, such as the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test, that are designed to help you evaluate puppies. These can be helpful tools, as long as you understand that it’s just a test and it can’t tell you everything. Don’t pick a puppy just because of an aptitude test. But that said, a test can help supplement your decision in choosing the best puppy for you.

Give Them A Loving Home

At the end of the day, your puppy’s natural health and temperament are important—but the environment you provide for them is equally important. No matter what kind of puppy you choose, make sure to give them a safe, happy, healthy home. You’ll be rewarded with a loving companion who will fill your heart for years to come.

Avoid 5 common feeding mistakes that millions of dog owners make

Posted on by Bully Max

Of course the food you feed your dog is important.

But just as important as WHAT you feed your dog is HOW you feed it to them.

Below is a list of common mistakes that millions of dog owners make when feeding their dog. The good news is that once you’re aware of these mistakes, avoiding them is generally very easy.

Let’s get started with mistake #1…

Dog Feeding Mistake #1: Feeding Too Much or Too Little

It’s very common for owners to feed their dog the wrong amount of food. Feed them too little, and they’ll be hungry and malnourished with low energy. Feed them too much, and they’ll gain weight and become less healthy.

Don’t just guess how much food your dog needs. Instead, take a few minutes to weigh your dog and use a dog food calculator like this one to find out how much food your dog needs per day.

Dog Feeding Mistake #2: Incorrectly Storing Your Dog Food

Another mistake that many people make is trying to get cute about how they store their dog’s food.

As a result the food can go stale or even expire faster than expected. And when your dog’s food goes stale, it loses its nutritional content faster than normal.

The first thing you need to know is that you should always keep your dog food in its original container. Dog food bags are made specifically to keep dog food fresh. Third-party containers may not be.

If you want to put your dog food in a separate container, that’s OK—just keep it in the bag.

Go here to learn more about how to store dog food.

Dog Feeding Mistake #3: Mixing New Food with Old Food

It’s very common, when you get a new bag of dog food, to add the remainder of your old bag to the new one.

But you shouldn’t do this!

Mixing old food and new food is another mistake that can lead to stale or expired dog food. And in the event that your old food had some kind of bacteria or other germs, you don’t want that to spread to the new bag of food.

So do your dog a favor and keep each bag of food separate.

Sound good? Good.

Dog Feeding Mistake #4: Leaving Food Out at All Times

Some people will just keep their dog’s bowl full at all times. This might work for cats, but it’s a bad idea for dogs.

Your dog needs a routine when it comes to meals and feeding. They should eat at specified times. And ideally those times will be regular and consistent from day to day.

If your dog is a picky eater, is underweight, or doesn’t finish all their food, this could be part of the problem.

Learn more about how to establish a dog feeding schedule here.

How to train your dog to eat everything you give them:

Dog Feeding Mistake #5: Misunderstanding the True Price of Your Dog Food

Here’s another mistake people tend to make:

They gauge the price of a dog food based on the weight in the bag, instead of the net servings.

When buying dog food, always think in terms of cost per serving, not cost per pound. The reason this is important is because not every dog food has the same weight or calorie density.

Think of it like the difference between a bag of chips and a bag of popcorn. The bag of chips is probably heavier, even if the bags have the same number of servings. If you judged these two snacks based on the cost per ounce, you would think the popcorn is much more expensive—but you’d be wrong.

So don’t think in terms of weight. Think in terms of calories.

Take our Bully Max 30/20 High Protein Dog Food, for example.

But our formula is so calorie- and nutrient dense, each cup packs a whopping 535 calories (more than any other formula in its class). And that means that on a serving-by-serving basis, it’s a lot less expensive than most people realize.

Oh, did we mention this is the ONLY performance dog food rated 5/5 stars by DogFoodAdvisor?

That speaks to the high quality and selection of ingredients, which are carefully chosen to help nourish your dog with healthy and delicious ingredients like chicken, flaxseed, and fish meal.

If you’re looking for a super-high-quality dog food, give it a try. We know your dog will love it.(Oh, notice that on the right-hand side we have a handy calculator that tells you how many servings are in each bag based on the size of your dog.)

8 Easy Tips to Dog-Proof Your Backyard

Posted on by Bully Max

So you’ve dog-proofed your home. You’ve put away food and edible decorations, made sure your low windows are secured, and made sure the trash can is tightly sealed. You’re all set to let your dog roam safely.

Right?

Not so fast. Don’t forget about your backyard. A lot of people have the tendency to let their dogs roam the backyard at will, without first making sure it’s safe.

Go through these 8 steps to make sure your backyard is dog-proof, and then you don’t have to worry about letting your dog come & go through the back door.

1.) Avoid Toxic Flowers

First and foremost, take a look at the plants you’ve got growing back there. We all know that dogs have a tendency to eat—well, just about anything at times.

So make sure none of your flowers are toxic to dogs.

Here are the major flowers that are a no-no for anyone with a dog:

  • Autumn crocus
  • Azalea
  • Daffodil
  • Dieffenbachia (dumb cane)
  • Tulip
  • Kalanchoe
  • Sago Palm
  • Oleander
  • Cyclamen
  • Amaryllis

2.) Keep Garbage Out of Reach

You already know that it’s important to keep your indoor trash can secured from the dog. But don’t forget any trash cans outside! Few things are more embarrassing than having a friend or neighbor walk by your house and seeing trash strewn all over the yard.

In most cases, the easiest way to do this is to simply store your garbage cans somewhere your dog can’t get to. (Like in the garage.) If that’s not an option, then make sure your garbage cans have a lid that seals tightly.

Finally, any dangerous liquids—such as cleaning supplies, fuel, or antifreeze—are especially important to keep out of reach. Best to store them up high where your dog can’t reach.

If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Phone Number: (888) 426-4435

3.) Put a Fence Around Your Swimming Pool

Even if your dog seems like a strong swimmer, you never want to risk letting them drown in the pool. Put a fence around the pool, and only let the dog swim under supervision.

4.) Double-Check Your Fence

When you let your dog out into the backyard, you want to feel secure in knowing that they’re still going to be there when you call for them

Trust me, you never want to look outside and feel a sinking feeling in your gut when you realize your dog has escaped and is on the loose.

First and foremost, make sure your fence is high enough that your dog can’t jump over it. When you’re satisfied that your fence isn’t too short, double-check it for any “weak spots.” Are there holes or places where your dog could squeeze through a gap or underneath the fence? If so, fix those areas up to make sure your dog stays at home, where they belong.

If your dog is digging underneath your fence, you may want to install a “Dig Defence”. It acts as an underground fence and is installed beneath your existing fence. 

5.) Mow the Lawn

Keeping up with your landscaping will do more than impress the neighbors—it will also make your yard a more enjoyable place for your dog to play. And remember: ticks can use tall grass to reach your dog, so if you keep your lawn trimmed, you’ll also be helping to minimize your dog’s exposure to ticks.

6.) Keep Decks & Sheds Clean

I know, I know—you’ve been intending to clean up that pile of boxes in the shed for years. Well, now that you have a dog, the time has finally come.

The important thing to realize here is that some parasites like fleas tend to live in dark, humid areas…which could include sheds and dog houses.

So make sure to clean these areas regularly. Your dog’s skin & coat will thank you.

7.) Steer Clear of Pesticides, Insecticides, and Fertilizer

I know that lawn chemicals can do wonders against bugs, just remember that they’re basically poison. So if you have your lawn treated with any pesticides or insecticides, don’t let your dog out into the lawn for a few days.

And if you’re storing pesticides of your own, make sure to store them in a safe place—preferably up on a shelf in a shed or garage, where your dog can’t reach.

8.) Make Sure They Have Water & Shade

One of the most common backyard dangers for dogs is also one of the most innocuous: dehydration.

Dogs will run around until they’re exhausted, and if the sun’s beating down and they don’t have any water, they can easily get dehydrated and even suffer from heat sickness. So give your dog some kind of shade and a big bowl of fresh water.

The ideal solution here is to allow your dog to come back inside when they’re tired, where they can rest and cool down out of the heat.

Keep Your Dog Active & Healthy with Bully Max

Here at Bully Max, our passion is keeping your dog active and healthy for years to come. That’s why we work so hard to bring you the products you need to help your dog stay as healthy as possible.

Check out our muscle building and health supplements for dogs. They’re sure to help your dog feel great while having the energy they need to play, live, and love to the fullest.

How to Decide Safe Places to Take Your American Pit Bull Terrier

Posted on by Bully Max

Here at Bully Max, we love American Pit Bull Terriers (APBTs). It’s hard to find a more loyal and loving companion anywhere in the world.

But because of their breeding, you do have to be careful about where you take them.

APBTs don’t do well around too many other dogs (especially if they are unsupervised). On the other hand, they are fantastic around people and children.

Want an easy way to figure out where you should be taking your APBT?

We created this little report card to help you answer that question quickly and easily. Here’s a list of places ranked anywhere from “F” (which means do NOT take your APBT there) to “A” (which means it’s a wonderful spot for your APBT).

Make sense? OK, let’s get started…

Dog Park, Grade: F

I’m sorry to say, but dog parks simply are not a good place to take any American Pit Bull Terrier.

There are way too many factors working against you here. First of all, there are too many dogs at one time. It’s overwhelming. And many of these dogs will be unfamiliar to your dog.

And of course, keep in mind the other owners that will be around. You have no control over them or their dogs. And in most cases, they don’t have control over their dogs—they spend their time socializing with other dog owners, rather than watching what their dog is up to.

If you own an APBT, avoid dog parks at all costs.

Public Parks, Grade: C-D

Many of these grades will have a range—for public parks, the grade is anywhere from a C to a D—mainly because there are certain factors that can vary.

In this case, it depends on how crowded the park is.

If the park isn’t very crowded, then it might be OK. especially if there are plenty of paths where you can take your dog on a walk that’s off the beaten trail.

But a super-crowded park is not a good choice. It may have a lot of unfamiliar dogs, which may or may not be on a leash. And sometimes alcohol is involved (especially if it’s a holiday weekend), which can lead to rowdy behavior from other dog owners.

All in all, public parks are better than dog parks…but still not the best place for your APBT.

Indoor Dog Friendly Facilities, Grade: D-F

This includes PetSmart / Lowes / Home Depot / Doggy Daycare and similar facilities.

You may assume that because these are made for dogs, they’re a great choice. Unfortunately that’s not the case!

In these facilities, your dog can get cornered in small spaces—which is definitely not something you want for your APBT. Also, the people working at these places may or may not understand the “bulldog breed” and how to best care for your dog.

Steer clear.

Neighborhood Walks, Grade: A-B+

Ah, our first good grade!

Neighborhood walks are great for an American Pit Bull Terrier. One reason is because you know your environment and can take your dog on a good route. If a neighbor has a dog that your APBT doesn’t get along with, you can simply avoid that house. Plus, you generally won’t have to worry about strays or unleashed dogs.

Yes, you will probably encounter other dogs along the way…but they will almost always be on a leash, which means you can keep things under control. Although it never hurts to carry a deterrent for other dogs just in case (like a spray).

Planned Dog Playdates, Grade: B-C+

Part of the problem with dog parks is that you don’t know who is going to be there. It could be a handful of friendly dogs, or it could be a couple really aggressive dogs.

You don’t know, and you don’t have any control.

With a planned dog playdate, that’s not the case. You can invite only dogs that your dog knows and gets along with. Also—and this is important—you can limit the number of dogs so your dog don’t feel overwhelmed or attacked.

But keep in mind, this is still an off-leash situation. Which means that even if the dogs are just playing and having a good time, there’s always a chance that a dog fight could erupt.

With that in mind, it’s important to learn how to recognize the body language of your dog. If they start to feel threatened or attacked, you want to be able to step in and stop things before they escalate.

Oh, here’s one more tip: it’s also a good idea to walk the dogs first before letting them off-leash. That way they get a chance to know each other in a calm, controlled environment. It also gives you a chance to set a good tone for the playdate.

Leaving your Dog with a “Friend,” Grade: Incomplete

In this case, it’s really hard to say.

On one hand, you might have a good friend who is good with dogs (and especially with pit bulls) and who does a fantastic job with your dog.

Or (and this is probably more likely) your friend might not know the breed or fully understand the job at hand. In this case, they could end up being “loose” with securing your dog.

It depends on the friend in question, and how much you trust them. If you can’t tell, we’re not huge fans of this option in the majority of cases. But if you have a trustworthy person in mind who understands pit bulls, this could be a perfectly good option for you.

Backyard/Private Property, Grade: A

Keeping your dog on private property where you are 99.9% in control is by far the best way to go when you have an American Pit Bull Terrier.

When it’s your property, you don’t have to worry about surprises. You can do whatever you need to keep your dog secure and keep other dogs out. And there will be little to no exposure to troublesome circumstances.

So keep these tips in mind when you’re thinking about taking your APBT out for a walk or to play. Remember, this is a wonderful breed that has gotten a bad rep thanks to terrible press coverage. But they do have some specific needs, and it’s your job as the owner to make sure your dog stays out of bad situations.

Now get out there and enjoy some time with your dog!

Recommend read: 27 Things Every Pit Bull Owner Should Know