How To Teach Your Bulldog To Skateboard

Need to know how to teach your bulldog to skateboard? Bulldogs are a good fit for skateboarding because bulldogs are low and wide, and generally seem to feel secure on a board. Teach your bulldog gently to avoid instilling any fears about the skateboard. The important things are to go slow, make it fun and choose a flat board to minimize the flip factor.

To teach your bulldog to skateboard, you will need:

• A bulldog
• A skateboard
• A bunch of treats
• A ton of patience 

1. Get your bulldog used to the skateboard. Keep it in an area you and the dog are often together in. Keep it right side up on a surface that prevents rolling. Never let the board surprise your bulldog. You want him to think of it as the best thing in the world. When he shows interest in it or touches it, praise and treat. If he puts a paw on it, he's the bestest doggie in the universe, so make sure he knows it. After he’s regularly pumping you for treats, flip the skateboard over. Treat for interest and investigation. Spin a wheel but don't alarm him. Slowly crank it up as he gets desensitized to the sound and motion. Take your time and keep it fun. You want your bulldog so comfortable with the skateboard that it could stand up and talk to him and he wouldn't even blink.
2. Grab your skateboard and your bulldog and find a flat, grassy patch with minimal distractions. The idea is to have some movement but not so much the board shoots out from under the dog or accidentally rolls more than an inch or so. Hold a treat over the board to encourage him to get on. Nose level is a good height. It's best not to put treats directly on the board because you want his head up, not nosing around for leftovers. The board isn't as stable on the grass as it was inside but, if you're doing it right, your dog is cool with that. If your dog is not cool with that, slow down. Teaching your bulldog to skateboard is all about short, fun sessions that gently expand his comfort zone. Work your way up to pushing the board forward about an arm's length with him sitting or standing on it. When he's good with that, attach a rope and pull him around, increasing the distance as he’s willing.
3. Find a safe place, with only familiar distractions, like a flat concrete or asphalt driveway. Really slow down for this part. A scary incident here can end your bulldog's boarding career forever. Chock the wheels so there's no chance of rolling. Get the dog on the board, remove the chocks and go through the same steps you did on the grass. The sound and feel of the moving board are different, so slowly acclimate your pet. Once he's comfortable, set up soft bumpers (hay or pine straw bales work well) so he doesn't crash into the garage or zoom out into the street. Get him into position and give a push. You want the board to roll a very slow foot or so at first, before gradually increasing the speed and distance. Stay close by. Think of him like a kid on a bike for the first time without training wheels. His skills and confidence should steadily improve. If you're seeing that kind of improvement, he's ready for the big time. Be honest about how much your dog is enjoying himself. If he's into it, he'll want more, more, more. If he's not, maybe get him into a chess club or something.

Teaching your bulldog first on a wide dolly or kid's wagon can get your dog used to the rolling motion. Skateboarding then becomes a scaled down, more interactive version of something he already knows. Always make sure your bulldog skateboards in a safe area. Always make sure your dog is having fun, during the training and during the actual boarding. Many dogs enjoy the speed, the wind in the face and the adoring crowd! Give your bulldog a push in that direction and see how it goes. He could be internet-famous in no time!