French Bulldogs are intelligent, curious, and cute dogs with very stable and predictable temperaments. T heir easygoing personalities are adaptable to a variety of living situations: they can coexist peacefully with other breeds but are just as happy to live alone; they are capable of assimilating to life on acreage or living in an apartment.

French Bulldogs are not barkers, though their alertness and intelligence make them natural watchdogs. They are extremely loyal, but their natural curiosity and propensity towards stubbornness necessitates early, consistent training to avoid future behavioral issues.

If you are thinking of purchasing a French Bulldog, it is important to source from a responsible breeder who is breeding for not only looks, but health and temperament as well. Rescues are also great options for prospective Frenchie owners. Contact your local Bark Busters trainer today to learn about great breeders and rescue organizations near you!

Who can resist Frenchies? Their adorable bat ears, big eyes, and friendly, inquisitive nature towards both people and animals make them practically irresistible. While not typically problematic, French Bulldogs can be headstrong, and like all dogs, they do require leadership, education, and consistency to avoid behavioral issues.

Training Case Study

Take Chloe, a three-year-old Frenchie. Chloe was very sweet and loving in most circumstances, but she had one unignorable behavioral problem – she was extremely possessive of her owner, Sarah’s, shoes quickly turning into a growling, biting Cujo if Sarah tried to get them back. It didn’t take long for Sarah to reach her wit’s end, to the point she was (very reluctantly) considering finding another home for Chloe if the issued could not be resolved.

We spent some time getting to know Sarah and Chloe’s relationship and history. We discovered Sarah had gotten Chloe as a 10-week-old puppy and had even taken her to puppy classes, where Chloe did well. She learned all her commands and would mostly respond to them, but Sarah would occasionally resort to using treats to get Chloe to obey.

Sarah loved Chloe, and it became apparent she would give in to Chloe’s every request. If Sarah sat on the couch, so did Chloe, who would immediately ask for (and receive) attention and affection. When Chloe was hungry, she would claw at where her food was kept and Sarah would feed her; when Chloe wanted out, Sarah would drop what she was doing to take her for a walk, with Chloe leading the way.

Chloe had become the authority figure in their relationship, and felt it was her responsibility to “take care” of Sarah. We explained this dynamic to Sarah and introduced her to some simple exercises and communication methods to correct the imbalance.

Chloe responded immediately, offering zero pushback when corrected. To gauge her progress, we decided to test Chloe with a pair of Sarah’s shoes. We asked Sarah to correct Chloe as soon as she noticed them and were pleased to find that Chloe walked away and laid down near Sarah when commanded. When Sarah approached the shoes and put them on, Chloe didn’t move or make a sound! We left Sarah with instructions on how to continue the process over the next couple of weeks and told her to contact us immediately with any questions or issues.

Sarah called us a week later with an update – things were going great! The new, consistent approach was paying off, and Chloe continued to respond to the exercises. She seemed happier and more relaxed and, much to Sarah’s delight, had even stopped some of her other demanding behaviors. We congratulated Sarah and encouraged her to keep up the great work.

French Bulldogs are not usually troublesome, but inconsistency and lack of training can lead to behavioral concerns. Your local Bark Busters trainer can help establish a pattern of consistency, resolve any and all issues, and help you nurture a relationship with your Frenchie built on mutual understanding, trust, respect, and love.

Tips for Potential French Bulldog Owners

Short-nosed (brachycephalic) dogs have inherent health risks resulting from their shorter snouts. It is important to consult with a veterinarian about the best ways to care for a short-nosed dog before adopting one.

French Bulldogs do not require a lot of space or activity, making them excellent dogs for apartment and city dwellers.

French Bulldogs are great mimickers, and their adorable appearance can lead to leeway on unwanted behaviors. By monitoring your own actions, you can make a big change in your Frenchie.

Early basic obedience training is vitally important to ensure your French Bulldog understands and follows your rules.

We are standing by to help you develop a consistent, compassionate approach to good behavior for your French Bulldog. Learn more about our services and schedule an appointment with one of our trainers today!