No matter what breed a dog is, the growth of his brain follows a similar progression.  "Bulldogs are much like ohter breed in their mental development.

     In their books "Genetics and Social Behavior of the Dog" (University of Chicago Press), scientist John Paul Scott and John L. Fuller describe these stages of mental and social development.  Other experts have tweaked these descriptions somewhat, particularly with respect to when they occur, but most are in agreement as to how a pup's development proceeds.

      The first stage, the neonatal period, begins at birth and continues until the puppy is about 2 weeks old.  During this initial fortnight, the pup is blind and deaf, and his ability to understand the world around him is limited.  Early on, puppies have the basic instincts that all pups have- heat seeking, the suckly reflex and urinary and defication reflex.

     Despite the limitations posed by his inabilty to see and hear, the puppy's other senses are in good working order and need stimulation.  To that end, some experts suggest that breeders gradually expose their neonatal puppies to being physically handled, and also to midly stressful events, such as briefly placing them on a cold surface or elevated object.  That recommendation is based on research that shows exposure such as this can help a puppy become more resilient later in life, as long as the breeder reinforces that exposure and provides plenty of opportunities for his Bulldog to rest and relax.

      At around 2 or 3 weeks of age, a puppys eyes and ear canals open, and he begins to move around more easily.  When those events occur, the pup's world widens considerably and he enters what's called a transitional period.

      Previously, the pup's only means of motion were to crawl on his belly, now his four legs can get him where he wants to go much faster.  Moreover he can rely on his eyes and ears to see and hear what's going on, instead of trying to make sense of the world only through his senses of smell, taste and touch.

      The puppy's brain seems to activate somewhere around 21 days, at this point they seen to become cognizant of their surroundings.  They begin to bark, growl and play with littermates and their mother.

     Experts recommend that breeders also use this period to expose a puppy to the world beyond his mother and littermates.  Now's the time when a good breeder starts familiarizing the pups with new sounds and sights, such as those that come from the radio or television.  This period is also when the breeder should introduce toys and take the puppy to various areas where he can experience the textures of different types of flooring under his feet, and see sights that are different from what the can see from the whelping box.

     The world beyond the whelping box also needs to include people and ohteer non-canine species, and behaviorists strongly advocate beginning intensive exposure to both during the transitional period.  From that point on, a bulldog puppy needs to meet lots of other people and animals in addition to those who resided in his household.  It's great if the breeder has children to play with the puppies.

Social Studies

     The age of 3wks to as late as 16 weeks is what expers in puppy development call the socialization period.  During this period, a conscientious breeder and equally dilligent owner can help ensure a Bulldog puppy grows up to be an emotionally healthy adult dog.  They work together to further acquaint the puppy with human society, canine society and the world around him.

     Learning about canine society starts with the puppy's interaction with his mother and littermates.  But meeting other dogs is also important.  The breeder should continue this socialization process until you are ready to bring your puppy home at 8wks of age.  Most reputable breeders wait until 8-9wks before allowing puppies to go home with their new families so two sets of shots can be completed before the puppies travel and goes to new homes.

     In any case, once your puppy crosses your treshold, you need to take up the socialization process where the breeder left off.  Fortunately, you've got a good seven or eight weeks to do so.  During those weeks you should continue the process the breeder began.  PUppies need to be exposed to people, other dogs and new things as they grow, including other types of animals in different situatuions and various surroundings, so they become properly socialized.  For Bulldogs sociability is especially important because everyone who sees a bulldog want's to interact with him.  Have people come by to visit your pup and enroll him in puppy kindergarten and or puppy socialization classes.

     Once your puppy reaches 16wks of age, the socialization period is over, and your puppys brain has formed almost all of the connections that it will ever have.  But that doesn't mean you should ease up on providing him with mental stimulation.  As he moves into his juvenile period (4 to 6 months) and adolescense (6 mo to 3 years), he needs your continued guidance and opportunities to meet and greet.  In fact many experts believe that socialization is a use it or lose it enterprise: without continued exposure to the wider world, and older puppy or adult dog might lose the social savvy he acquired earlier in life. 

Avoiding Pitfalls

     Ideally, you and your bulldog puppy's breeder will have been working diligently to connect all of the dogs brain cells and help him reach his maximum potential.  All to often, however, reality fails to live up to the ideal, and pitfalls occur.  Here are some common hazards to a Bulldog puppy's mental health, and what you can do about them:

• Not Enough Early Socialization Time - Sometimes, out of ignorance or lack of time, a breeder may not have provided their pups with sufficient socialization to become happy, healthy, well adjusted dogs.  But that doesn't mean your puppy is doomed it just means you will need to work harder to make up the deficit.  It's not impossible to repair all the damage done by lack of socialization, but if the new owner has a few weeks left in the most important socialization period of the dogs life (8 to 16wks) he will have to squeeze more socialization experiences into fewer days.
• Pushing Too Hard -  Learn to recognize when your bulldog has had enough.  Signs of stress include looking away from individuals who approach him, attempting to hide from such individuals, excessive yawning and repeated licking of the lips.  If your Bulldog exhibits such behavior, respect his wishes and call it a day.
• Believing Stereotypes - Don't let stereotypes about Bulldog intellegence and obstinacy deter you from training your friend.  Bulldogs are supposed to be stuborn, but many find them to be eager students.  
• Letting Health Concerns Delay Socialization - Even though Bulldog puppies aren't fully immunized against potentially deadly canine diseases until they reach 16 weeks of age, they still need to be socialized long before that in order to reach their full mental potential.  As long as you exercise common sense, for example before any dog related events such as a dog show make sure proof of vaccinations are required for all attendees before taking your puppy, avoid areas such as dog parks or areas unfamiliar dogs congregate, but rather attend a kindergarten puppy class .  By doing so, you're going a long way toward ensuring his future mental health, just as immunizations help to safeguard his physical health.