Who doesn't love a Frenchie? These happy-go-lucky pups have huge personalities and offer the best companionship, as they simply love to be around you.
Whether it's hanging on the sofa watching Netflix or going on a run to the dog park, the French bulldog just loves to be where you are and takes its cues from you.
So why have some Frenchies gotten a bad reputation? Well, for one, French bulldogs are quite clingy and like to follow their human parents around. That's why we love them so much, too. They're extremely loyal!
However, when you're not home, it's tough for a Frenchie to get along without you, especially when it's for so long.
If you have a 9 to 5 job, it's going to be impossible for these rascals to sit around all day waiting for you to come home. They'll simply go insane or become depressed.
So, if you are planning on getting a french bulldog, you should get to know their behaviors and what makes them tick.
If you already have one of these tail-wagging big-eyed goofs, then these insights into your Frenchie's mind will definitely be helpful.
Are French Bulldogs Good with Kids and Other Pets?
If you have a family, the French bulldog is absolutely one of the best dogs you can bring home to your kids. They are amazing companions and love being active with kids.
In addition, they have a sturdier frame than smaller dogs like Yorkshire terriers to play with kids who can get a little rough.
In addition, frenches are known to be social and get along well with other dogs. However, they are quite competitive, and male French bullies tend to show aggression to other male dogs.
However, it's safe to introduce your bully one-on-one with other pets as they don't really enjoy confrontation.
They're Funny But Gassy
It's true that French bulldogs have a ton of unique behaviors, ranging from snorting to diabolical gassiness that comes out of nowhere. This flatulence problem is due to their facial shape.
Since these breeds tend to gulp air while they eat, it tends to come out of the other end. You can use a diet of real meat and vegetables to help with this problem.
Separation Anxiety
We touched on this earlier, and while many dog owners know that dogs don't like it when you have to leave, French bulldogs are prone to severe separation anxiety.
When left alone, they may tear up the house, whine for hours, or urinate everywhere as a sign of displeasure at being left alone for hours.
This anxiety typically occurs when you leave the house and don't return for hours. French bulldogs feel like you may be disappearing forever and will go to extreme lengths to find you again, even if it means that they hurt themselves by accident.
What Your Frenchie Might Do
- Bark and howl while you're gone
- Dig, chew, and destroy anything nearby
- Try to escape
- Pace and scratch
- Urinate and defecate around the house
To treat this behavior, French bulldog experts say that you should use "counterconditioning," which means giving your bulldog a treat or fun activity to do while you're gone. You can purchase toys that are like puzzles with treats inside.
If you have long hours at work, you may want to consider services like Rover.com to come and check up on your furry one. They may be cute, but they won't tolerate being left alone for multiple hours.
Are French Bulldogs Difficult to Train?
Frenchies do have a tendency to be stubborn and unfocused when they don't understand the importance of the game.
If you are housebreaking a new puppy, they will likely need extra steps and help to understand where to go when they need to go.
According to YourPureBredPuppy, While some recommend crate training in the early stages, there are other ways to housebreak a puppy without causing other issues by placing your Frenchie in a crate.
Slobbery Problems
While not all French bulldogs have this issue, there are those within the breed that have loose lips and shorter faces, and it's impossible for them not to spray and drool when they drink. You may need to elevate your drinking bowls slightly to help your pup.
Clingy Problems
French bulldogs have a tendency to follow wherever you go. They don't want to let you out of their sight when you're at home.
According to AspcaPetInsurance, Did you know that French bulldogs are bred to be loyal to owners? This is the main cause of their two biggest problems: separation anxiety and clinginess.
If your French bulldog has Velcro dog syndrome, then your pup may have disturbed you while eating, sleeping, going to the problem, or even showed aggression to other people or animals around you. They may also whine frequently.
To help with clingy behaviors, you'll have to instill some confidence in your Frenchie. You can give your pup their own place to climb into, and you can make it more attractive by putting something of yours, such as a t-shirt in the bed with some toys.
In addition, you can make yourself boring to them, which basically means don't dote on them all the time.
It's difficult to say no to that face! One thing to consider is that French bulldogs also respond well to training. If you can teach your Frenchie to sit and stay, as well as other behaviors, you can train them to keep some space between you.
Barking Bulldogs
Why do Frenchies bark and whine so much? While most French bulldogs aren't known for barking so much as whining, they also make some pretty funny sounds.
You shouldn't be alarmed by any of these noises unless they are excessive and get louder. In addition, your Frenchie may be sounding off an alarm or acting in stress due to pain or anxiety.
If it's a new behavior, then you may want to talk it through with a vet to see if there are some hidden issues going on.
Destructive Chewing and Scratching
Frenchies do love to dig and chew. It's actually quite normal for them to do this as a dog, especially when it's a big bone.
However, if you've left your French bully along for too long and they get into your trash bin, tearing up paper and old food, then you probably have also seen their "sorry face."
French bulldogs typically chew to relieve anxiety and stress. It may also be due to hunger or lack of stimulation.
If you notice that your Frenchie along does this behavior when left alone, you'll need to find puzzle toys with treats inside to keep them busy when you're away.
You also should take them on long walks or go to the dog park every day to get out their energy. Otherwise, they'll take it out on whatever they can find.
The Biting Frenchie
Most Frenchies are close with their owners, and in some cases, that can lead to unhealthy expressions of territorial behavior. Typically this ends in growling, but it could lead to biting and other acts of aggression.
It's important to train a French bulldog puppy when they're young that biting hurts. Many pets think that owners are playing a game of chase when they pull their hand away after being bitten.
In reality, you should be as dramatic as possible when you're slightly nibbled or scratched. This lets your dog know that humans are delicate, and they need to be extra careful around you.
Positive reinforcement and early socialization are key to training your French bulldog to be a sweet and happy-go-lucky puppy.
In addition, it also matters where your puppy came from. In some cases, bad behaviors are learned early on from pampered parents who may be mean, to begin with.
If you have the opportunity, you should get to know the parents and make sure they are friendly and sweet.
Tips for Raising Well-Behaved Frenchie
According to Chewy, For the most part, French bulldogs are even-tempered, and they're simply happy to be around you.
They'll listen to whatever you tell them, including your reprimands on bad behavior. While they aren't quick to bite or show aggression, they may become this way if they are treated poorly and not given enough attention or stimulation.
These are some of the things you can do to help with behavior problems you see in your pup.
Do the Training Classes
Even if you have an older bulldog, training can help bring you closer to your Frenchie and reward their best behavior.
These classes also help with obedience training and set up a healthy relationship between you and your pup.
Since Frenchies are particularly smart, it's more about getting them to focus on the task and please you rather than show off in front of other dogs.
Be Sensitive to Your Frenchie
The worst thing is to feel misunderstood and unloved. French bulldogs have very deep feelings for their owners. They may become aggressive or display poor behavior in response to being ignored or shunned.
A Frenchie is outgoing, mischievous, and quite entertaining, so their only joy is to make you smile. Positive reinforcement, petting, talking, and going on long walks are the best way to show your affection and understanding.
Early Socialization
French bullies benefit immensely from being around other dogs, kids, and humans in their formative years. They should know all about the world around them, so that nothing is surprising or scary, such as a larger dog or a big bus that pulls up outside.
They need to get accustomed to their world in their puppy years, and they'll typically be more active as a younger bully.
As early as six months, they should be going to the dog park frequently. While bulldogs tend to slow down between 7 and 10 years of age, keeping your bulldog active and social is the best way to elongate their lives.
Learn About Your French Bulldog's Personality
French bulldogs are insanely cute and fun to be around. They love to hang out with you and have big hearts.
It's important for them to feel like they're part of the family, and they're just simply all over the place as puppies.
They'll snore, be a bit nosey, and rambunctious, but they often slow down as they approach adulthood.
Stubbornness is one issue that bulldogs who are doted on can develop. This manifests in needing more attention and displaying aggression towards others who steal the spotlight. This is why socialization around other humans and animals is necessary.
Can Adult French Bulldogs Be Trained?
Dogs can learn at any age, and French bulldogs tend to be quite observant. If you decide to take your bully to training classes, you may want to pick a smaller class for an older Frenchie so they can focus on the task at hand and work one-on-one with you.
They have a typically positive disposition, but every dog also has its own history and unique personality.
Proper training is the best way to keep your French bulldog in line. If you have noticed some aggressive behaviors recently, you may want to take a look at videos to understand how other owners deal with their exuberant energy as younger pups as well as their stubbornness later in life.
Here's one to get you started:
Ready to Help Your Frenchie?
One thing to keep in mind is that Frenchies like to model their behavior after you. If you are stressed, anxious, or angry at home, it could rub off on your pup because they are very observant and attentive to your needs.
If you spot them being aggressive while you are around, you may want to speak calmly and positively, bring them close to you, and show that you are at ease to assuage their anxiety.
As a freelance pet writer and blogger, Shannon is passionate about crafting knowledge-based, science-supported articles that foster healthy bonds of love and respect between people and animals. But her first and very most important job is as a dog auntie and cockatiel, tortoise, and box turtle mama.
