How to train a French bulldog

A French bulldog’s training can be enjoyable and fulfilling. These adorable little bundles of joy make wonderful companions because of their loving disposition and lively personality. However, there may be some difficulties because of their stubbornness. It’s important to know how to approach training with patience and optimism.

Frenchies adore being involved and thrive on interaction. Treats, compliments, and regular routines will help them stay focused and motivated to learn. The ultimate objective is to forge a close relationship with them while imparting fundamental manners and commands.

We’ll look at practical methods and advice for training your French bulldog in this post. These techniques will assist you in raising a devoted and well-mannered dog, regardless of whether you’re working with an older dog or a puppy. Let’s begin the thrilling journey of training your animal companion!

Raising a Frenchman: theoretical foundations

Any breed of dog, including the "Frenchman," owes its extensive development to its multitude of constant reflexes. They aid in the dog’s survival in any setting, and no trainer will be able to completely eradicate them. Attempts to suppress these reflexes, on the other hand, will only make them stronger.

• the desire to survive, using the respiratory reflex;
• lack of hunger with developed sucking and chewing reflexes;
• reproduction with its hunt for individuals of the opposite sex and parental instinct;
• comfort in the form of warmth, a cozy home and physical health;
• peace in the form of the ability to sleep or rest whenever he wants;
• freedom in his actions: the puppy needs freedom in games, mental and physical development;
• regular communication with the owner or other dogs;
• security thanks to a home where there are no irritants and fear;
• life in a pack, submission: for domestic dogs, their new family becomes a pack, and the owner is the leader.

Certain French bulldog owners assert that their dogs grin when they find something to like.

Education cannot be discussed if any one of these requirements is not met. For instance, you can’t teach anything to a scared or hungry puppy. Reproduction is the only one of these reflexes that tends to be eliminated. For instance, non-purebred people are sterilized or castrated because they frequently experience difficult and painful births.

Crucial! After roughly six months, a castrated dog loses the urge to seek out females and redirects its released energy in a different way. The owner must focus it on exercise or sporting events, or else the bulldog will channel all of its energy into "eating away" its stress and start gaining weight.

“Two pillars” of education: encouragement and punishment

The two main ways to influence a French Bulldog are through positive and negative reinforcement. The owner provides encouragement by demonstrating to the dog that it has completed the task at hand correctly. Punishment is meant to deter future instances of undesirable behavior.

Bulldogs must be trained to behave in public settings; otherwise, it is frequently impossible to handle this

Both forms of discipline, though, have to be used thoughtfully and sensibly because they have the potential to be detrimental to education. The table shows the subtle differences between the two approaches.

Table 1: The French Bulldog requires both rewards and punishments during the educational process

Encouragement	Punishment
Why is it necessary	The obedient pet must be praised immediately after he correctly completed the order or showed himself well in training. Thanks to regular encouragement, the dog will learn to the fact that the approximate behavior is followed by a “delicious”. It is more likely to perform actions that evoke the approval of the owner.	The most acceptable way of punishment is a strict reprimand. Bulldog will understand that the owner does not suit his behavior, and in the future he will try not to do so. But you need to punish immediately after the misconduct was committed, otherwise the relationship between action and the punishment for it will be lost.
What should not be done	Pieces of goodies, which the owner encourages a pet, should change regularly. Otherwise, the same "yummy" ceases to be the desired reward for labors. Diversity makes training pleasant and non -cumulative.	In no case should you beat a dog even for the most serious offense. The pain caused to the pet will definitely come back to the owner, because a frightened dog often behaves inappropriately – bites, scratches, attacks children.
Nuances	A kind word, an approving pat, stroking or a treat can serve as positive reinforcement. Most trainers use a treat as a reward, but for some dogs, a favorite toy or affection from the owner is preferable. Before choosing a method of encouragement, observe the dog"s reaction to each of them.	Do not punish the dog too gently, otherwise the desired behavior will not be achieved.

A tiny bulldog reaches for its owner’s "treat."

Cynologists claim that it is positive reinforcement that is the driving factor in the formation of a dog"s behavior. But even the smartest dog will not be able to learn a command the first time, so repeated repetition is important in training. the shy one will submit immediately and will not kick;.

Crucial! Keep a watch on the dog if its behavior does not improve after being punished. Maybe the pet believes that the punishment is unwarranted and equates it with another behavior. You must punish within two to three minutes following the offense in order to stop this from happening.

A French bulldog’s training can be an incredibly fulfilling experience that guarantees good behavior and deepens your relationship. Positive reinforcement and regular routines work best for these endearing, if occasionally stubborn, dogs. You can teach your Frenchie important skills and tricks that will make training enjoyable for both of you by emphasizing patience, giving clear instructions, and showing lots of praise.

Training a French Bulldog by character type

Some owners choose to hire a professional dog trainer to handle the training of their straying French Bulldog rather than trying to do it themselves. However, there are drawbacks to this strategy as well. For example, a dog that obeys all trainer commands without questioning might lose track of everything at home. Reluctance to learn new things and stubbornness will resurface.

Consequently, it is still advised to begin training at home. However, you must observe your pet to determine its character before beginning lessons. It is only after this that you can choose how to raise a Frenchman.

Training for French Bulldogs

Choleric Bulldog

1. Work without distractions. During training, remove everything that can distract an excitable dog and throw it off balance. In addition, alternating excitation and inhibition is prohibited – for example, the commands "fetch" and "no" should not follow in order.
2. Training is not a game. For choleric bulldogs, a playful manner of training is not relevant, in such an environment it is impossible to teach them anything.
3. Discipline. It is necessary to designate a framework of discipline for an excitable dog, which must be strictly observed. You need to talk calmly, give orders clearly, and dose praise and punishment correctly.

When working with a choleric, the trainer must maintain complete composure and ensure that all movements are fluid. The only way to succeed is to train frequently, ideally every day.

You shouldn’t let a French bulldog off the leash because it may run away from its owner in search of a bird, cat, or other animal if it has a choleric temperament.

Phlegmatic Bulldog

Training slow-moving, phlegmatic dogs requires an entirely different approach. As a result, excessively active and varied training is inappropriate for them since it may cause them to become inhibited from receiving too many commands and cease responding to them altogether.

A phlegmatic bulldog would prefer to obey commands by curled up and cuddling with a toy.

A dog that is overly tired and phlegmatic can just lie on its back and do nothing, giving the impression that it is unaffected by anything going on around it. Training should end right away after this because it will be useless.

The three most crucial qualities that a trainer must possess are tact, gentleness, and sensitivity. He will need to gauge the dog’s current mood and observe how it responds to commands.

A French bulldog pays close attention to what its owner says.

Phlegmatic people’s interest in learning can be rekindled by giving them simple tasks and lots of encouragement. The tasks increase in difficulty over time, and each command that is successfully completed is generously rewarded with a "treat". You can agitate the dog by using this method. Dog handlers’ experience also demonstrates that phlegmatic puppies learn best in a group setting with their choleric peers.

Crucial! Phlegmatic bulldogs are best raised in apartments because they suffer a lot when left in the care of an unfamiliar trainer, even for a brief period of time. Furthermore, the dog won’t be able to communicate with a stranger.

Sanguine bulldog and melancholic bulldog

Completely distinct temperament types that call for completely different pedagogical approaches. Melancholy people have inhibited personalities and are not receptive to training, if sanguine people are intelligent and quick learners. A table is used to show the differences between them.

Table 2. Characteristics of the education of the sanguine and melancholic varieties of French bulldogs

A melancholic bulldog often has a somber expression on their face.

General principles of development and education of a puppy in stages

There are multiple key phases in the development of a French bulldog’s personality and mannerisms. Every stage at the start of life contributes to our understanding of the pet’s potential personality. The phases in an adult dog correspond to their level of life experience and their readiness to pick up simple to complex commands.

When desired, a cute French bulldog can have a very serious expression.

Stage 1. Beginning of life

1. Up to 14 days: complete dependence on the mother, the desire to constantly sleep or be warm.
2. Up to 3 weeks: increased sucking reflex. From birth, the puppy has a sucking reflex, which allows it to quickly find the mother"s nipple and actively drink milk. During this period, specialists are able to determine the future character and level of energy of the bulldog by how actively it sucks milk.

Tiny French bulldogs playing with their mother

Since the puppy still has a close relationship with its mother at this point, she serves as its primary educator and role model.

Crucial! When the first stage comes to an end, the puppy’s behavior should be closely observed by the breeder or the owner, who should also take note of the most notable character traits. The baby should make a greater effort to move around, observe and smell its surroundings, and use all of the resources at its disposal to explore the world.

Stage 2. Adaptation, getting used to the name

The period between 4 and 8 weeks is crucial for the development of conditioned reflexes. Puppies start to demonstrate the capacity to learn the fundamental life skills in an unfamiliar environment during this time. As he plays with his mother and other infants, he gradually picks up the fundamentals of communication and discipline.

1. Make sure that the dog"s basic reflexes work. A month-old puppy should follow its mother everywhere. Later, this reflex will manifest itself in relation to a person – the dog will learn to constantly follow him. If the puppy is lethargic and has a hard time perceiving the environment during this period, it will be difficult for him to interact with human society.
2. Come up with a nickname for the bulldog and accustom him to it. Usually babies come into the house at the age of two months, and it is at this time that you need to teach the puppy to respond to his name. You need to teach the nickname so that it depends on something pleasant – for example, eating or playing.

The bulldog will initially pay attention to the moniker.

The most enjoyable and challenging part of raising a four-legged child is naming the puppy and acclimating him to the nickname. How would one go about doing this? Check out our exclusive piece.

Stage 3. Socialization, the basics of training

Being highly gregarious, French bulldogs require a lot of communication with both people and other animals. Between eight and twelve weeks is when they start to show interest in other puppies, giving them sniffs and happily barking.

1. Getting used to hands. These are preparatory steps that will make the training process easier in the future. The puppy should allow itself to be picked up, have its ears and teeth examined, be turned on its back and put in a stand.
2. Learning simple commands. At about 2-3 months, it is time to teach the four-legged one the commands “come to me”, “walk”, “place”. Already at 4 months, the little Frenchie is able to cope with the implementation of more difficult commands, for example “no”, “no”, “sit”, “lie down”.
3. Fighting aggression. Aggression can manifest itself in the baby’s behavior, but many owners do not take it seriously. From puppyhood, the French Bulldog should understand that there is subordination between the animal and the person. When the puppy growls at the owner, do not turn it into a joke: such behavior must be eradicated immediately.
4. Dosing of affection. The French bulldog, due to its charming face and friendly character, often becomes the object of endless caresses, stroking, cooing. Uncontrolled displays of love will only do harm, turning the four-legged into a capricious, spoiled dog.

Babies who are between two and three months old have erratic minds and increased excitability. In stressful situations, the owner values attention to detail and caution more than ever.

A tiny dog ought to feel at ease in its owner’s arms.

Stage 4. Struggle for leadership

Puppies start vying for leadership among their peers at 3-3.5 months because they haven’t yet been weaned from their mother and brothers. When a baby of this age joins a new family, he attempts to dominate the new family member.

The owner’s primary responsibility is to establish himself as the boss and the one who is to be obeyed. If not, the dog will choose to assume the leadership role and will only become more adept at it as it gets older. The submission procedure is carried out in accordance with the guidelines shown in the table below.

Table 3: A French bulldog’s attributes of subordination

Method	Description
Bite ban	A teenage bulldog will definitely find out who is the leader in the house at the first opportunity. During the game, he can snap or bite the owner. But if the latter reacts with dignity every time, the baby will gradually begin to accept the position of a subordinate.
Control during a walk	During a walk, special attention should be paid to how the dog reacts to the owner"s demands. You cannot allow the leash to be pulled in different directions, thereby dragging the person along with you. To avoid this, use the commands "no" and "no" with simultaneous patting on the dog"s bottom. Gradually, she will understand that she cannot behave as she wants.
Close contact	As a result of long-term communication between the owner and the bulldog, close emotional contact should be established between them. They begin to understand each other better, the animal reacts to the slightest change in the mood of the owner. If the upbringing was carried out correctly, the bulldog at the age of 3 months will finally recognize its owner as the leader.
Regular training	During this period, the growing "Frenchman" needs daily training and energetic games in the fresh air. The trainer repeats the commands "come to me", "sit", "stand", "lie down" with him. Playing with a ball and Frisbee is practiced. The load should be increased gradually – both physical and psychological.
Buying a collar with a leash	13 months is the age when you can buy a collar with a leash for a puppy. The collar should be soft, comfortable and wide. Accustoming to the equipment occurs gradually along with the command "walk" and rewarding with "goodies".

Breeders’ experience demonstrates that three distinct types of relationships can be established between a dog and its owner: equality between man and animal, dog leadership, and human leadership. The only right course of action for individuals who wish to raise a dog in accordance with all dog laws is to recognize that person as a leader without reservation.

The owner must be implicitly obeyed by the French bulldog.

Stage 5. The struggle with fear

Depending on the dog’s unique temperament, this phase can start at six months to fourteen months of age and last for one to two months. The dog starts to get scared of a lot of things that he used to see calmly. Furthermore, there is a fear of unfamiliar or new objects for him. The owner wants to support and assist the dog in overcoming these fears.

1. After the owner noticed the fear of the bulldog, he gives the dog the command "stand".
2. The dog, frozen after the command, can whiten, showing his fear. The owner approaches the puppy the subject and touches his hand.
3. The person commands "to me" and waits for the puppy to come. If this does not happen, the command should be repeated by a persistent but soft voice.
4. The owner must behave calmly, clearly demonstrating that he is not afraid of the object at all. When the puppy approaches, you need to let him make sure that the thing is not dangerous, allow him to examine it and sniff it.

The dog will instantly sense the trainer’s patience and steadfastness, which will cause him to calm down.

With the help of its owner, the dog battles fear with ease.

Stage 6. Transitional age

The most challenging time in a dog’s life, which starts at a year old and can last up to three years. The animal’s need to rule reawakens; it searches for areas where the owner is vulnerable and attempts to assume charge of the household.

• sudden aggression of the dog towards those people and animals to whom it previously treated friendly;
• growling or loud barking at friends who came to visit, although before the bulldog calmly sniffed them and allowed himself to be petted;
• reaching sexual maturity, which requires continuing active games and training.

During this time, the owner and every member of the family must strengthen their resolve and self-control. You shouldn’t lock a bulldog that attacks guests and barks in a room. Cynologists advise giving the command "place" in this scenario so the dog doesn’t feel alone and can remain with the group. If the command is not followed the first time, try again with a firmer tone.

An aggressive bulldog poses a risk to other people.

It’s important to let friends know when things are going tough so they don’t try to talk to the four-legged person first. The "Frenchman" needs to respond to the visitors on his own. In this manner, the owner will let the dog know that he supports the guests and that they should be treated with the same dignity as members of the family.

Crucial! It is advised to see a specialist if the dog exhibits highly inappropriate behavior during adolescence and cannot be calmed down. A professional dog trainer will offer guidance or even demonstrate how to soothe a bulldog. See our other article for more information on the causes of aggression in dogs.

Practical skills: socialization, education, training

The question of education in a four-legged animal is complex and unclear. Thus, although a puppy trained to stay off the table can be considered well-mannered, it will still be unable to comprehend even the simplest of commands. Even if a dog begs or gnaws on its owner’s belongings, a well-mannered dog will ideally know every command.

1. Socialization. You cannot teach a dog this, but any owner can provide it with regular communication. The first skill that socialization develops is living in harmony with the world. It is on this that the upbringing and training of the dog depends. The owner will have to help the puppy satisfy all its needs without coming into conflict with the outside world, otherwise the dog will be timid and incapable of gaining knowledge. In practice, socialization comes down to simple things – regular walks, games, travel, communication with people and animals.
2. Education. Another basic concept that means that a puppy should not climb on the table, bite, jump on a person, leave puddles on the floor. This behavior is not reinforced as a result of training, but comes with experience: the puppy understands from its mistakes how it can behave and how it cannot. Basic instincts play a big role here: it is difficult to achieve friendliness from a timid four-legged, and from an exhausted one – a reaction to orders. How quickly the upbringing will take place depends not only on the persistence of the owner, but also on the innate qualities of the dog.
3. Training. The only concept that includes training and education. By training a bulldog, a person teaches it to unquestioningly follow all orders. A stubborn bulldog needs patience and persistence from the owner, only with these factors will it be happy to please him.

Playing with his owner, a teenage bulldog gets down on the ground and gets ready to jump.

Because of their unwavering sense of calm from birth, French bulldogs socialize and go through the training stage more quickly. In addition, motivation has an impact on the training’s effectiveness. It can be either positive or negative: the dog obeys the command and is rewarded; if it disobeys, it is punished.

Adult bulldogs are at ease in the car

Training a French bulldog at home

As a result, we now know that a small French bulldog’s development is fraught with challenges and necessitates the owner’s careful observation and consideration. It is best to raise and train breed representatives at home in order to avoid traumatizing the pet’s psyche when it comes to strangers. Training both puppies and adult bulldogs involves subtleties and rules.

A French bulldog can "fetch" sticks that have been thrown to it.

How to start training a puppy

When a puppy first comes home, you can’t force it to learn right away. It will take some time for the four-legged friend to adjust to the new surroundings and handle the stress of moving. If not, too much pressure will result in overly timid behavior or the emergence of aggression.

• A small bulldog is prohibited from doing everything that it will not be allowed to do in adulthood (climbing on the bed, gnawing shoes, biting);
• Begging is eradicated immediately, at the first attempts to ask for food during a family dinner, the dog goes to its place;
• A treat cannot be given between meals, a treat should become a reward for the correct reaction to orders.

Accustoming to a nickname

1. A person calls the dog by name at any contact with it – when calling to eat, play or wants to praise.
2. Training is combined with the "come to me" command. By saying the name, and then the command, you can sit down and call the four-legged one to you with your hand.
3. If the dog starts to respond and comes up, you need to give him a piece of treat and pet him.

What kind of reward to offer while being trained

Praise eventually takes the place of treats because overfeeding will make treats unappealing and the bulldog will cease to obey completely.

A friendly bulldog is prepared to interact with everyone in his immediate vicinity.

Toilet training

1. Buying a tray where the "Frenchman" will go in the first months of life. He needs to be put in the potty immediately after waking up, after exercise or some time after lunch.
2. If the ward managed to go to the toilet, you need to praise him. Otherwise, let him go for a walk and try again in another 4-5 minutes. Over time, the four-legged one will get used to it and will go to the tray himself.
3. The baby will need time to get used to the new rules, so the owner needs to be patient and not scold the pet for puddles on the floor.
4. Up to 4 months, bulldogs have poor control over the process of urination and may simply not have time to get to the toilet.
5. In the future, control should be strengthened and be more persistent. However, the owner needs to be prepared for the fact that up to 8-9 months of age, the four-legged can inadvertently leave piles and puddles on the floor.

Praising the four-legged friend enthusiastically is especially crucial after he relieves himself outside at the start of the walk. He can urinate outside the apartment for several months, so you’ll need to be ready for that.

A young dog wearing a harness

Basic commands

1. “Come to me”. Instilling a reaction is cultivated from infancy, when the owner calls the dog to the bowl with this command. The phrase begins to be associated with pleasant emotions, and the little bulldog happily runs to the call. Then you can move to another room, and the role of the “motivator” is played by a piece of treat in the hands of the owner. After consolidating the exercise, you can practice it during a walk.
2. “Place”. A small bulldog is placed on his bed after he has played or eaten, saying the command. After which it needs to be held in place for a few seconds, stroked and praised.

A bulldog carries out the command "place."

At an exhibition, a breed representative shows off a stand.

Training an adult dog

If an adult French bulldog immediately appeared in the family, the new owner will have to independently fill in the gaps in education that the previous family allowed. A four-legged friend who has already gotten used to what is strictly forbidden to do in a new house will have a hard time weaning himself from this. If the dog does not respond to training under any circumstances, it is better to contact professional dog handlers.

Adult bulldogs are often highly irrational, particularly when they don’t receive the right training.

Additionally, those who choose to raise a bulldog on their own or carry on with its training since childhood ought to begin with outdoor training. Engaging in outdoor activities is an essential component of training.

During a stroll, French bulldogs receive training.

Practicing basic commands on the street

1. You should persistently but calmly repeat the command, not allowing the dog to ignore it.
2. It is forbidden to let the bulldog off the leash during the first months.
3. You cannot allow the four-legged to pick up anything from the ground or take it from the hands of strangers, such moments are immediately stopped with the command "no".

You can take the dog to the dog playground if it successfully shows itself on the street and does not get distracted when demonstrating commands. The ideal situation is for there to be already trained dogs on the walk. The bulldog can be released from the leash once it has had some time to adjust. Playgrounds featuring exercise equipment, barriers, and ladders can aid in the physical development of dogs, while socialization can be facilitated by conversing with other dogs of the same breed.

All of the previously learned commands, such as "next to me," "come to me," and the "sit / stand / lie down" complex, can be practiced in public. New exercises can be added to the mix over time.

Mastering the order to "lie down"

In-depth training

retrieving an object or a favorite toy;

A tiny bulldog brings its plaything.

If you would like, you can teach a member of the breed how to do sports exercises, like crawl, snake, and springboard.

Owners of short-haired pets purchase warm jackets to prevent them from freezing.

However, because of the bulldog’s stubborn nature, the owner should keep in mind that thorough training can only be completed with the assistance of a professional dog trainer. Even though you can attempt to train your pet on your own, you still need the guidance of an expert.

Training Tip	Description
Start Early	Begin training when they are a puppy to build good habits.
Positive Reinforcement	Use treats and praise to reward good behavior.
Consistency is Key	Use the same commands and rules to avoid confusion.
Short Sessions	Keep training sessions brief to maintain their attention.
Socialization	Expose them to different people and environments for better behavior.

A fulfilling, enjoyable, and time-for-bonding experience can be had when training a French bulldog. When treated patiently and positively, these adorable friends can be excellent students due to their playful disposition and strong desire to please.

Maintaining consistency is essential. Creating a routine makes your Frenchie feel safe and helps them learn more quickly. Keep their focus with brief training sessions, and don’t forget to acknowledge and appreciate even the smallest successes. Rewarding good behavior with treats and praise is very effective.

Remember how important socialization is. Your French bulldog will become well-adjusted if they are exposed to a variety of situations, people, and other dogs. This is critical to their general well-being and can avert behavioral problems in the future.

Recall that each dog is different. Even though some methods are effective for many dogs, it’s important to adjust your strategy to fit your dog’s personality. You can create a solid bond and support your French bulldog’s growth as a valued family member with commitment and love.

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257. INITIAL TRAINING OF A FRENCH BULLDOG