Fulfilling Your Bull Breed’s Needs Through Play.
Why Play is Essential!
Bull breeds — like Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Bulldogs, English Bull Terriers, and their crosses — are often misunderstood. While they're known for their strength and enthusiasm, they’re also sensitive, intelligent, emotionally-driven dogs with deep bonds to their humans.
And one of the best ways to meet their needs, both mentally and physically, is simple: play. While this is true for all dogs: I regularly see Bull breeds miss out, due to the myths about increasing aggression surrounding games like tug, or spring pole!
In this blog, we’ll look at how to use play to fulfil your Bull breed’s needs, build connection, and reduce unwanted behaviours.
Why Play Matters for Bull Breeds
Like it or not, Bull breeds are wired to act out conflict! When this need goes unmet by us (providing safe outlets via play) is where things start to go sour. When their needs aren’t met, they may turn to:
Overexcitement/arousal
Chewing/Destructive behaviours
Jumping up
Frustrated barking
Rough play that gets out of hand
But when those needs are channelled through healthy, appropriate play? You get a happier, calmer, more responsive dog: who sees you as their main source of reinforcement!
Play! What is it good for?
Fulfilling Natural Instincts – Games like tug, spring pole, and flirt pole to help fulfil that intrinsic need to grab and bite. Play lets them express this safely.
Providing Mental Stimulation - The correct kind of play can leave our dog satisfied, calm and tired, in a way that a ‘normal’ walk just can’t! This is particularly important when we think about breeds impacted by BSL, who can’t be off-lead in public, or interact with their environment in the same way as other dogs.
Fostering Strong Connections – Play builds trust, connection and value! Turning yourself into your dog’s number one source of fun increases the likelihood they will turn to you, rather than seeking out their own entertainment.
Types of Play That Suit Bull Breeds
1. Tug Games
Tug is a classic for a reason — it taps into their love of using their mouths and muscles.
Use a long fleece tug that isn’t too exciting when teaching them how to play.
Add cues like “take it,” “drop,” and “end”
Let them win — it boosts confidence!
Contrary to popular belief, tug doesn’t make your dog aggressive. In fact, it can help with impulse control when played with clear boundaries, by allowing them to ‘act out’ their intrinsic motivators.
2. Scent-Based Games
Bull breeds have brilliant noses. Use that to your advantage! Try:
“Find it” games in the garden - add in movement to add excitement and increase motivation.
Teaching your dog to find a particular toy
For the serious noses, scent work classes like man trailing can be a great activity!
This helps them slow down, self regulate and encourages self-soothing behaviours like sniffing.
3. Controlled Chase
Some bull breeds love to chase — but fetch can become too intense and turn into an obsession with the ball!
Try:
Flirt poles with clear start/stop cues
While building up tolerance, let them chase the pole for about 3–5 seconds before letting them win the toy. Build this up gradually!
Practicing known cues while arousal (excitement!) levels are higher
Avoid fast, endless chase games if they create overstimulation or obsession.
4. Training as Play
Bull breeds often love working with their humans — especially if rewards are part of the game.
Make short training sessions playful and upbeat.
Mix tricks into walks
Play “ready, steady… go!” games
Use food and toys to build engagement
Play and Self-Regulation
A key part of play is learning to switch on and off. Use play to teach:
Starting and ending cues - these can be applied throughout life
How to self-regulate arousal, through alternating high energy games with calming activities
Impulse control - don’t just give your dog the thing, build up those ‘wait’, ‘stop’ and release cues!
Responsivity in higher arousal states
This helps your dog learn to self-regulate — one of the most important life skills for higher-energy breeds.
What to Avoid
Rough play with no boundaries
Only doing high-arousal play (chase, fetch, wild tug with no rules)
No recovery time — always balance play with rest
A Balanced Life Through Play
For bull breeds, play is more than entertainment — it’s a key part of their wellbeing. When structured well, it helps meet their needs. And when those needs are met, you get a dog who is calmer, more focused, and deeply bonded to you.